Charles Birdsong, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Mechanical Engineering Department
California Polytechnic State University
San Luis Obispo, CA 93407
(805) 756-1261
E-mail: cbirdson@calpoly.edu
Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering
November 1999
Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan Advisor: Clark Radcliffe, Focus: System Analysis and Controls, Active Noise Control. Dissertation topic: Active Noise Control with a Semi Active Helmholtz Resonator
M.S. Mechanical Engineering
December 1996
Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
Advisor: Clark Radcliffe, Focus: System Analysis and Controls, Active Noise Control
B.S. Mechanical Engineering
June 1991, graduated Cum Laude
California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo, California,
Associate professor, 9/2008 – present
Assistant Professor, 1/03 – 9/2008
Mechanical Engineering, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, 1/03 – present. Full time tenure track faculty position.
DEPT. OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY (MSU), 9/94 – 5/99
CONSULTANT FOR UNDERGRADUATE CONTROLS AND VIBRATIONS LABRATORY, 9/97 – 12/97
Responsible for training new laboratory teaching assistants and supervisors to provide continuous quality in undergraduate Controls and Vibrations laboratories.
TEACHING ASSISTANT SUPERVISOR UNDERGRADUATE CONTROLS LABORATORY, 9/95 – 9/97
Managed Undergraduate Controls Labs. Managed up to 6 graduate teaching assistants per semester. Scheduled and managed as many as 8 sections per semester, acted as mediator between students and faculty representative during disputes. Managed grade databases for 70+ students. Revised and authored new laboratory manuals. Maintained, repaired, and appropriated new laboratory hardware. Managed and authored new software for laboratory experiments including LabView, MATLAB, Simulink, Real Time Toolbox for rapid prototype of digital signal processors, Mathematica, and various other software tools.
TEACHING ASSISTANT - LECTURER FOR UNDERGRADUATE CONTROLS COURSE, 6/96 –9/96
Instructor for senior level, undergraduate Automatic Controls course. Reported directly to department chairman. Prepared lectures, wrote exams, and homework assignments. Graded exams and reported final grades. Managed 6 teaching assistants for the course lab. Initiated and authored course information web page.
TEACHING ASSISTANT UNDERGRADUATE AUTOMATIC CONTROLS LABORATORY, 9/94- 9/95
Instructed multiple laboratory sections including lecturing course material, instructing and guiding students in experimental procedures, long form reports, and grading quizzes and reports.
TEACHING ASSISTANT FOR UNDERGRADUATE VIBRATIONS LABORATORY, 9/93 - 9/94
Instructed multiple laboratory sections including lecturing course material, instructing and guidance in experimental procedures, long form reports, and grading quizzes and reports.
GUEST LECTURER, 1996-1999
Guest lecturer for senior level undergraduate courses including, System Modeling - Bond Graph Modeling Techniques for Dr. Ronald Rosenberg, Theory of Vibrations for Dr. Micheal Hales, and graduate level Digital Data Acquisition (Mechatronics) for Dr. Clark Radcliffe.
COMPUTER ADMINISTRATION, 1995 – 1999
Web Page Authoring and Server Management for department information systems. Authored the Dynamic Systems Laboratory web site (http://meweb.egr.msu.edu/home/index.html) including the technical paper archive. Managed the local area network which included 15 computers in graduate and undergraduate laboratories.
Summary: In fall 2008 I was awarded 6 units of release time from the Bently Endowment to investigate vehicle dynamic modeling. I am investigating various models that take inputs such as steering angle, traction and braking force and compute trajectories of the vehicle and tire forces. I am also investigating simulation visualization tools to help visualize the vehicle motion in a realistic 3D environment. I plan on using this research to support the Truck Crash Avoidance and also seek external funding for a project related to designing a crash avoidance system that accounts for vehicle dynamics in addition to sensors and algorithm development.
Outcomes:
Funding: National Academy of Science, IDEA Safety Program
Summary: This project will apply electronic sensors and intelligent computer algorithms to mitigate the chances of collisions for overland shipping trucks. The funds will be used to support graduate students, provide summer support for the PI and Co-PI and purchase equipment and travel.
This contract was awarded in October 2007 and the project will start January 2008.
Led interdisciplinary student team research project to develop system that will improve the safety of class 8 overland transport trucks. Project funded by Traffic Research Board, Safety IDEA program. The project was lead by Dr. Peter Schuster as Co-PI and me as PI. The student team included the following: 1 ME undergrad, 3 ME graduates , 1 EE graduate, 1 post-doc. The project is ongoing and we expect to deliver our final report in winter 2009.
Outcomes
Summary: Investigated applying vision systems and image processing to vehicle safety, defense and border patrol and other applications. The purpose was to determine if this technology could be incorporated into my current research projects.
Outcomes:
Summary: Fall 2006-Fall 2007 I contributed to a team effort with Brian Self and Lynne Slivovsky to develop a device to aid visually impaired in navigating unknown environments using ultrasonic sensors to provide tactor feedback. My contribution has been in the area of ultrasonic sensor and data filtering algorithms.
Outcomes:
Summary: Supervised Josh Davis ME graduate student in roller coaster vibration reduction project. Josh’s life dream is to work in the roller coaster design field. To support this goal he is interested in solving an important problem related to reducing the noise generated by tracked roller coasters. I must note that Josh has developed the sponsorship of the Six Flags Corporation and other industry contacts on his own. I have provided technical input in the area of vibrations and acoustics.
Outcomes:
Summary: In this work the focus is on developing a sensor system that meets the broad description of a human sensor while also meeting the specific applications of pre-crash detection, pedestrian safety and military sensing. The work consists of a literature search, sensor acquisition, sensor testing, and algorithm development. The project has been very successful meeting the stated objectives so far. Three sensors were identified as good candidates: ultrasonic, RADAR and LIDAR. Commercially available samples of each were acquired, instrumented and tested. Algorithms were developed to read the sensor raw data and compute telemetry data.
An additional objective of this project is to foster learning and research at Cal Poly. This is accomplished by involving students from many different levels and backgrounds. The project resulted in two technical papers submitted for publication, many industry contacts, equipment donations, several proposals for external funding and support for students and faculty.
Outcomes
Summary: The HCCI engine project goals are to develop an HCCI engine test stand so that further developments and measurements can be conducted to further this field. I worked with Dr Delagrammatikas and Murray and two graduate students on this project. My contributions were providing technical expertise in the area of feedback control and dynamic system modeling.
Outcomes
Summary: The Satellite Simulator project is an experimental motion control platform driven by motorized reaction wheels. The objective is to develop low cost satellite hardware and control algorithms. The project is led by Dr. Eric Mehiel in the Aero Dept. My contribution has been to provide technical expertise in the area of feedback controls and real-time control hardware. I supervised a senior project student who developed a star tracking hardware and control system. The same student is now a graduate student in the Aero department continuing work on the project. I also facilitated and am supporting a Mechanical Engineering student design team in ME 428 to redesign the mechanical structure for the project.
Outcomes
Summary: I received 4 units of release time from Statue Faculty Support Grants for winter 2004 to investigate Active Control of an Engine Intake Manifold. The assigned time was used to begin a program to investigate the application of active acoustic control of an engine air intake manifold. The assigned time was used to perform a literature review to become current in the technology, seek external funding for the project from automobile and component manufacturers, identify the key issues to be addressed, solicit interested students to work on this project and acquire funding for the equipment and undergraduate and graduate students that will work on the project. The findings indicate that this is a good area of research for the future.
Outcomes
A Semi-Active Helmholtz Resonator for an Acoustic Duct, Ph.D. topic. Developed active noise control technology to quiet tonal noise in ducted systems. Study used system modeling and identification to develop a controller design and implementation, sensor actuator instrumentation, analog/digital signal processing, and experimental proof of concept.
Manufacturing Research Consortium at Michigan State University (MRC) & Visteon Automotive. Industrial project with MRC and Visteon Automotive to develop active noise control for quieting industrial airborne noise in manufacturing environment. Included noise characterization, design of noise control solution, and experimental proof of concept, piezoceramic actuator control, controller design, and real-time digital signal processing.
Electro-Mechanical Acoustic Actuator for an Acoustic Duct, M.S. topic. Included Bond Graph modeling theory, control design, analog/digital signal processing and real time control, and experimental acoustic measurements system to implement active noise control.
Software development and data acquisition and control tools. Coded applications using Lab View software for digital data acquisition, control, and hardware control, HPIB communications protocol, A/D converters, and digital I/O. Consulted on web based Lab View Control Lab project for Mechanical and Electrical Engineering cooperative project. Developed software for use in the undergraduate Vibrations and Controls laboratories at MSU.
Developed code in MATLAB environment for Statistical Energy Analysis (SEA) modeling tool “Engineering Acoustic Response” (EAR+) Software. Also developed database and data comparison procedures for SEA model results.
Birdsong, C. B., and Radcliffe, C. J., 1999, “A Compensated Acoustic Actuator for Systems with Strong Dynamic Pressure Coupling,” Journal of Vibrations and Acoustics, Vol. 121, pp. 89-94.
“Modeling of Vehicle Magnetic Footprint in 3-D Space for Type Detection,” Roussel, Porumamilla, Birdsong and Schuster, IEEE Sensors Journal. Submitted October 2008.
“Vibroacoustic Study of Circular Cylindrical Tubes Pertaining to Coaster Rails,” Joshua I. Davis, Birdsong, Cota, Noise Control Engineering Journal. Submitted October 2008.
“Use of Ultrasonic Sensors in the Development of an Electronic Travel Aid,” Chris Gearhart, Alex Herold, Dr. Brian Self, Dr. Charles Birdsong, Dr. Lynne Slivovsky IEEE Sensor Applications Symposium
Birdsong, C., “Developing a MATLAB/Simulink RTWT Based Hydraulic Servo Control Design Experiment,” American Society of Engineering Educators World Conference, Honolulu, Hawaii, June 2007
Desrosiers, D., Birdsong, C., Schuster, P., “Using the Pre-Crash Simulator to Develop a Vehicle Collision Prediction Algorithm,” Fifth IFAC Symposium on Advances in Automotive Control, paper number AAC07-042, Monterey, California, August 2007
Birdsong, C.B., Schuster, P., “Research in the Undergraduate Environment,” Paper Number 2006-1447, American Society for Engineering Educators, 2006 Annual Conference and Exhibition, Chicago, June 2006
Birdsong, C.B., Schuster, P., Carlin, J., Kawano, D., Thompson, W., "Test Methods and Results for Sensors in a Pre-Crash Detection System," Paper Number 06AE-19, SAE World Congress Aril 2006
Carlin, J., Birdsong, C.B., Schuster, P., Kawano, D., Thompson, W., "Evaluation of Cost Effective Sensor Combinations for a Vehicle Pre-Crash Detection System,", SAE Commercial Vehicle Engineering Congress and Exhibition Nov, 2005
C. B. Birdsong, “An Integrated Measurement to Road Vibration Simulation System,” The Engineering Integrity Society, Simulation , Test & Measurement Group Conference October, 2001, Birmingham, UK.
C. B. Birdsong, et. al. “A New Portable PC Driven Dynamic Signal Analyzer,” 2001 SAE Noise & Vibration conference & Exposition, Traverse City, Michigan.
C. J. Radcliffe and C. B. Birdsong, “An Electronically Tunable Resonator for Noise Control,” 2001 SAE Noise & Vibration conference & Exposition, Traverse City, Michigan.
Birdsong, C., and Radcliffe, C., 2000, “Comparison of Two Acoustic Actuators in a Semi-Active Helmholtz Resonator,” 2000 ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, Orlando, Florida, AD-Vol. 61, pp. 179–186.
Birdsong, C., and Radcliffe, C., 1997, “A Smart Helmholtz Resonator,” International Mechanical Engineering Congress & Exposition, Active Noise Control - Work in Progress Conference, Dallas, Texas
Birdsong, C., and Radcliffe, C., 1997, “Development of a Comparison Index and a Database for Statistical Energy Analysis Model Results,” SAE Noise and Vibrations Conference & Exposition, Traverse City, Michigan
Birdsong, C., Byam, B, and Radcliffe, C., “Software and Database Development for Statistical Energy Analysis Modeling Software,” submitted to Institute of Automotive Engineering, Daewoo, Korea, 1996
Birdsong, C., Radcliffe, C., and Goenka, L., 1999, “Active Noise Control for Visteon Nozzle System,” submitted to Visteon Automotive, ETC Division
”Truck Crash Avoidance Project,” Birdsong, Schuster, Porumamilla, Roussel, et. al. Transportation Research Board 88th Annual Meeting, January, 2009, Washington, D.C
“Undergraduate Engineers Develop Hydraulic Servo Control Systems Using Model-Based Design with Simulink,” Birdsong, Mathworks Digest Academic Edition February 2009
C. B. Birdsong, et. al, ”Focus on the job in hand. When USB 2.0 technology is employed in test and measurement signal analyzer hardware, life can become so much more simple,” Testing Technology International Magazine, November 2002
American Society of Engineering Educators, members since 2007
American Society of Mechanical Engineers, member 1990 – present; Vice President of San Luis Obispo Student Chapter, 1990-91; judge for ASME senior design projects at MSU 1996-99; consulted on MSU winning Mars Rover project which advanced to the national final competition, 1999
Tau Beta Pi, Secretary of San Luis Obispo Student Chapter, 1990-91 Assistant Advisor 2003.
Pi Tau Sigma, Secretary and founding member of San Luis Obispo Student Chapter 1990-91.
DACTRON INC. Milpitas, California, 4/00 – 12/02
Product Manager: Developed new digital signal analysis and vibration shaker control products including product specification, packaging, design, software, and user interface. Developed training and marketing material including user manuals, marketing material and technical papers. Administered customer and sales training seminars. Research and development of new technologies and methods. Provided support for customers in automotive, aerospace, electronics, military, independent laboratory, consulting industries.
TAMARHOFF ASSOCIATES Alexandria, Virginia, 2/94 – 7/94
Computer Instructor: Taught computer program use to a variety of legal professional personnel. Software included word processing, spreadsheet and database programs.
MACHINE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY INC. Dublin, California, 5/93 – 9/93
Project Engineer - Machine design of custom automated packaging equipment, prepared assembly, detail, electrical schematics, and panel layout drawings on AUTOCAD, wrote operation manuals and programmed programmable logical controllers.
RADIAN CORPORATION Walnut Creek, California, 7/91 – 5/93
Environmental Engineering Consultant - Managed $2.5 million site cleanup project, supervised subcontractors, performed computer statistical analysis, budget preparation, regulation analysis, technical report writing and editing, and administered Novell network.
CAL POLY and BUCKNER IRRIGATION, San Luis Obispo, California, 3/91 – 7/91
Senior Design - Designed automated manufacturing station for plastic sprinkler manufacturer in a team effort. Design involved pneumatic logic and precision sonic welding. Produced final analysis, report, and working drawings.
COMPUTER AIDED PRODUCTIVITY CENTER – CAL POLY San Luis Obispo, California, 3/89 – 7/91
Teaching Assistant - Assisted students in CADAM, CATIA, CAEDS, CBDS and several other CAD and engineering design related computer software packages.
APPLIED MAGNETICS Goleta, California, 8/88 – 3/89
Cad Drafting CO-OP - Designed and produced documentation for tooling in magnetic head production. Logged 800 hours on CADAM system. Designed a test stand for quality assurance.
DOW CHEMICAL Walnut Creek, California, 7/86 – 8/88
Engineer Intern (6/88 – 8/88) - Designed and constructed test stand for research and development gas separation modules involving computer controlled valve systems and data collection.
Lab Technician (7/86 – 9/87) - Designed and preformed mechanical and environmental tests on R&D plastic optical fiber.