Department of Geomatics Engineering
Naser El-Sheimy
Professor
- Canada Research Chair (CRC)
- in Mobile Multi-Sensor Geomatics Systems
- Telephone: (403) 220-7587
- Fax: (403) 284-1980
- E-mail: elsheimy [at] ucalgary [dot] ca
- Research Web Site
- B.Sc. (ASU, Egypt) 1984
- Diploma (ITC, The Netherlands) 1989
- M.Sc. (ASU, Egypt) 1990
- Ph.D. (Calgary, Canada) 1996
DR. EL-SHEIMY has 23 years of experience in Geomatics Engineering. He holds a Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Mobile Multi-sensor Systems. His research interests include multi-sensor systems, mobile mapping systems, estimation techniques, real-time kinematic positioning, and digital photogrammetry and their applications in transportation, mapping and Geospatial Information Systems (GIS). Prior to joining the University of Calgary, Dr. El-Sheimy held the position of VP Research and Development with VISAT Technologies Inc., a high-tech company in Montreal. Through this position Dr. El-Sheimy envisioned, implemented and directed the research and development of several commercial-grade systems for processing and georeferencing of close range digital imagery, automated 3D mapping, and GIS applications. He has developed software packages for integrating, synchronizing, calibrating, and georeferencing digital frame images using GPS/INS systems. These packages are being used in land-based Mobile Mapping Systems for numerous GIS and mapping applications and are currently commercialized through the university of Calgary technology office.
Dr. El-Sheimy published a book and over 250 papers in academic journals, conference and workshop proceedings, in which he has received over 12 national and international paper awards. He organized and participated in organizing many national and international conferences. He is the Principal Investigator (PI) and Co-PI of over 50 research projects and has successfully led several highly competitive grants such as the Canadian NSERC Strategic grants, Alberta Research excellence (REE), Canadian Network Centers of Excellence (NCE), The Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI) , Intellectual Infrastructure Partnership Program (IIPP), Coordination of University Research for Synergy and Effectiveness (COURSE), etc.. He holds research funding of over $800,000 per year of which 25% comes from industry (in Canada, USA, and Europe) or government contracts. Over the last nine years, he has developed several algorithms and systems, of which three software systems have been licensed to industry sectors and government agencies through the University Technologies International Inc. (UTI).
The following, are some of the research projects in progress, for more information please visit Dr. El-Sheimy web page:
- The development of a new, integrated vehicular navigation and guidance system that is not only low-cost but also small in size. The development will be based on the newly emerging Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) which are integrated micro devices combining electrical and mechanical components with sizes ranging from micrometers to a few millimeters. The integration of a GPS receiver chip and several MEMS-based IMU sensors on a single integrated circuit (IC) board should result in a system that could be used in general vehicle navigation application. Supported by efficient on-board data fusion and processing methodologies to be developed in this research, high performance position and attitude information can be maintained ensuring system accuracy and robustness.
- The development of a Real-time Internet-based Forest Fire Fighting (F3) System. The proposed F3 system integrates imaging sensors (Thermal InfraRed "TIR") with real time navigation technologies (Wide Area Differential GPS "WADGPS" and low cost INS). The system will be very useful in reporting the exact situation of fires, assisting the FFIS in accurately assessing the fire and precisely directing water-bombers and fire-fighting crews. The use of thermal infrared cameras, which sense the heat emitted in the form of infrared radiation, will enable early detection and location of forest fires in reduced visibility due to haze, smoke or darkness.
- Artificial Neural Network for Navigation Sensor Integration: Most of the present navigation sensors integration techniques are based on the Kalman filtering estimation procedure. Although Kalman filtering represents one of the best solutions for multi-sensors integration, it still has some drawbacks in terms of stability, computation load, immunity to noise effects and observability. Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) is a powerful tool for solving nonlinear problems that involve mapping input data to certain output data without necessarily having any prior knowledge of the mathematical process involved. This research will investigate the utilization of multi-layer neural networks for sensors integration.
- Endangered Species Tracking System: Recent outbreaks of animal disease, illegal-poaching activities have highlighted the importance of monitoring the movement and well being of our endangered species. The development of low-cost geo-location modules that can be attached to the animal and the deployment of portable geo-mode monitoring stations that can scan barcodes attached to the animals and deliver this information to a base station will be investigated. The software platform that integrates this geospatial information together with animal information to provide an effective tool for monitoring and management will be developed. This platform technology could be utilized in other commercial applications such as fleet management, vehicle theft detection and recovery, etc.
- Multi-sensor System for Improved Quality of Life for Movement Disorders: This research include the development of a light-weight, inexpensive multi-sensor system to quantify activation and motion responses associated with manual dexterity and develop devices to aid sufferers of movement disorders. Specifically, a modified pointing device for accurate cursor positioning in computer use has been developed. Such devices can enhance independence and self esteem leading to improved quality of life. The system integrate MEMS-based motion sensors and EMG technology in a feedback loop to reduce the effects of tremors on a sufferer’s eye-hand coordination in positioning a cursor in common computer applications.
Professional and Community Activities:
- Chair, the International Society for Photogramtery and Remote Sensing (ISPRS) Working Group I/V on "Integrated Mobile Mapping Systems"
- Vice Chair, International Association of Geodesy (IAG) special Working Group SC4-WG1 on "Mobile Multi-Sensor Systems"
- Co-Chair, The International Federation of Surveyors (FIG) working group C5.3 on " Integrated Positioning, Navigation and Mapping System "
- Provides consulting services to several private Geomatics companies.