Beam visualization and using augmented reality for control and interaction

Overview

Augmented Reality has gained attention as a visual learning aid, being particularly useful for teaching visually imperceptible subject matter such as wireless communications and electromagnetics. In order to provide a related platform for educators in the STEM field, researchers at the Drexel Wireless Systems Laboratory have prototyped a smartphone application (app) that employs augmented reality (AR) to visualize and control components of a wireless network.  The system recognizes image markers placed near a wireless access point and connected devices. Upon successful detection of these markers, the app uses various educational scenarios to display visual information related to the topic (e.g. antenna radiation patterns, wireless links etc.).  The developed AR framework includes a simultaneous back-end communication link to enhance the information displayed on the smartphone screen, which has been missing in the current state-of-the-art. While designed for STEM-education the team envisions commercial applications of  this system that empower consumers and businesses to graphically control wireless networking parameters  by displaying rapid graphical feedback on the effectiveness of the configuration choices that they make.

Applications

  • Wireless Local Area Networking Product Visualization and Control
  • Quick debugging/configuration of systems by utilizing back-end communication channel.
  • Enhanced visualizations for classroom use in STEM education.

Advantages

  • Flexibility and diversity: The AR app framework is built with flexibility in mind. It is capable of handling multiple visualization scenarios to address many visualization tool needs in STEM education.
  • Enhanced information visualization and interactions: With the help of the real-time back-end communications channel, the proposed AR framework can visualize more information compared to current AR apps while allowing users to interact with the AR scenario they are in.

Intellectual Property and Development Status

PCT Patent Filed- PCT/US16/064486

References

C. Sahin, D. Nguyen, S. Begashaw, B. Katz, J. Chacko, L. Henderson, J. Stanford and K. R. Dandekar, “Wireless Communications Engineering and Cybersecurity Education via Augmented Reality,” Submitted for appearance in Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE), 2016. Erie, PA.

D. H. Nguyen, L. Henderson, J. Chacko, C. Sahin, A. Paatelma, H. Saarnisaari, N. Kandasamy, and K. Dandekar, “BeamViewer: visualization of dynamic antenna radiation patterns using augmented reality,” in IEEE Infocom 2016 Live/Video Demonstration (Infocom’16 Demo), San Francisco, USA, Apr. 2016, pp. 17–18.

BeamViewer Homepage

Video demonstration of BeamViewer

 

 

Commercialization Opportunities

 

Contact Information

 

Robert B. McGrath, Ph.D.

Senior Associate Vice Provost

Office of Technology Commercialization

Drexel University

3180 Chestnut Street, Ste. 104

The Left Bank

Philadelphia, PA 19104

Phone: 215-895-0303

E-mail: RBM26@Drexel.edu

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