MARS Lab (Marine and Aerial Robotics Systems)
Introduction
The Marine and Aerial Robotics Systems (MARS) Research Lab has been established with the mission to build indigenous capacity for designing and developing real-world intelligent systems, particularly in the domain of marine science and technology. The lab serves as a dynamic platform for innovation, research, and hands-on experimentation, engaging both undergraduate and graduate students in national and international collaborative projects.
Through active partnerships with renowned research organizations and universities, MARS Lab aims to advance the frontiers of robotics, communication systems, and embedded technologies. The lab plays a pivotal role in cultivating a vibrant research culture within the department, fostering creativity, technical excellence, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Its ongoing projects and areas of expertise reflect a strong commitment to advancing knowledge and contributing to high-impact technological developments.
Areas of Expertise
- Magneto-Inductive and Resonance Communication Systems
- Underwater Wireless Sensor Networks
- Design and Development of Indigenous Embedded System Solutions
- RISC-V Processor Architecture
Current Projects
Design of Full-Duplex Underwater MI Sensor Node
Magneto-Inductive (MI) communication has emerged as a promising alternative for complex environments such as underwater, underground, and indoor applications. While MI communication offers robust and reliable data transmission, its lower operating frequencies limit data rates.
To address this challenge, MARS Lab is developing a full-duplex communication system that effectively doubles existing data rates and enhances the performance of MI-based systems. This project aims to enable real-time monitoring of underwater environments, significantly improving operational capabilities for marine applications.
Design of 32-bit RISC-V Processor Using Synthesizable SystemC and High-Level Synthesis
With the global semiconductor IP market expanding rapidly, the demand for custom System-on-Chip (SoC) solutions has increased. This project focuses on the design and implementation of a 32-bit RISC-V processor core using SystemC and High-Level Synthesis (HLS) methodologies.
By raising the level of abstraction in hardware design, this research contributes to developing efficient, flexible, and scalable processor architectures suitable for embedded systems and Internet of Things (IoT) applications. The project aims to accelerate innovation in processor design and strengthen indigenous capabilities in the semiconductor domain.
Low-Power Scalable Multi-Core Embedded System
As computational demands increase, multi-core embedded systems have become essential. However, these systems often face significant challenges in power efficiency.
This project addresses this issue by developing a micro-operating system capable of executing multi-threaded embedded programs with shared memory across multiple cores. The system enables task-level parallelism through thread management and context switching, resulting in enhanced throughput and optimized power consumption—paving the way for the next generation of energy-efficient embedded systems.
Collaborators and Partners
The MARS Lab collaborates with leading national and international academic and research institutions, ensuring a strong global presence and knowledge exchange:
- Harbin Engineering University, China
- Bremen University, Germany
- National Engineering and Scientific Commission (NESCOM), Pakistan
Photo Gallery
Images from previous years:
Research Group Members
Dr. Niaz Ahmed
Head of MARS Lab
Mr. Ehsan Rehman
Mr. Umair Fiaz
Mr. Ibad Rahman
Mr. Adil Mubashar
Mr. Naqi Raza
Mr. Usama Sadiq
Ms. Kalsoom Tariq
For queries, please contact:
Niaz.Ahmed@nu.edu.pk
(+92 51) 111 128 128 x1234