Good day, Dr. L. Rajasekar. I'm Arjun. I've had a look through your background and your professional record. I'm interested in hearing more about your work and how you see yourself fitting in here with our faculty. Ready to start?

Please start by introducing your professional journey in academia.

Hi, very good evening. I'm Dr. L Rashekar, currently working as an assistant Professor in the Department of Computing Technologies at SRM University, Katangolothur, Chennai. I hold my PhD in Electrical Engineering from Anna University with over 15 years of academic experience and expertise in embedded system, IoT and embedded Linux. My research contributions which includes 12 plus publications and.

And several Scopus indexed international conferences paper on machine learning and IoT. I have also published a few patents, 2 of them were granted and I have completed few funded projects from DSD Cell, Raeford Foundations and Institute of Engineers, India.

I actually collaborate with industry through consultancy projects for organizations like Recall Addition Co, Private Limited Family, Robert Bosch and Train Technologies which enriches my teaching and project guidance. With this experience along with hands on skill in microcontroller modern processor, I'm confident development tools, I'm confident in contributing.

Academic excellence, research growth and industry-oriented skill development program in VAT university.

Thank you.

Yes.

Thank you, Professor Rajasekar. Shall we proceed with the next set of questions?

Let’s verify your expertise across relevant areas. We’ll assess one area at a time. Starting with Image Processing: Professor, could you explain a core challenge you’ve encountered while applying advanced image processing techniques to solve real-world problems? How did you address it?

My expertise are embedded system IoT and embedded Linux.

Yeah, yes, is.

So kindly.

Certainly, Professor. Could you share one specific IoT-based embedded system project you designed or developed and walk me through the challenges you faced and how you resolved them?

Yeah. So I have developed embedded systems based project for students as well as in our college as well as industries. OK. I have faced a lot of challenges. I will explain one of them. So we have developed 1 camera triggering unit for we. We have developed 1 pencil inspection system for umesh Pencil Limited Coimbatore. So for that camera triggering system.

Have developed using embedded system. So the camera triggering unit will work on 3.3 Volt DC. So we have to generate the pulses 3.3 Volt and 15 to 20 milliamps current rating. So I have I I am in the position of selecting the suitable microcontroller to generate the respective power level for the systems. So I have identified MSP 430 for this applications.

So the output voltage of MSP 430 is 3.3 Volt and 15 to 20 milliamps. It's satisfied. So I developed one algorithm. So when the sensor is detected, I have generated the PWM pulses to trigger the camera so that it will capture the pencils on other side. The pencil images will be processed for the defect and other purpose processing.

That’s interesting, Professor. For such a system, precision and timing are critical. How did you ensure the reliability and accuracy of the camera triggering mechanism, particularly for high-speed production environments?

Actually we have. So in order to ensure the reliability, so we have, we have to design A micro microcontroller based power circuit in a efficient way to arrest the inference noises, electrical inference So far that we have designed a specific circuit along with our power management chip. And added some isolated power isolations. In between high power and low power devices. For that we are using.

PC, PC 187 it's a kind of isolator which will isolate the low power devices with the high power device. So in such a way we can provide the reliability and accuracy to accuracy in order to capture the images.

Understood, Professor. It’s clear you paid attention to both hardware and signal isolation for reliability. Let’s move to *Embedded and Communication* next. Could you describe a scenario where you implemented a communication protocol like Modbus, SPI, or UART in a project? What were the key challenges you faced in optimizing the communication performance?

OK, so I have used Modbus communication for one industry project. So one company called Beta Power control. For that we have developed energy management systems. So we have to get the power values, our parameter values from the energy meter and we are pushing into the cloud for visualizations. OK for that we are using Modbus. So we have implemented Modbus library, Modbus stack in ESP.

Into microcontroller so that the device will allow us to get the energy meter parameter from the particular device and by means of impurity communication protocol we are pushing into the cloud. So from the cloud the software team will visualize the parameters so that if any parameters goes violate the threshold immediately the message will be notified to the. Respective hierarchy people so that it will alert the users to.

Consume the.

Yes, Sir.

Thank you for sharing that detailed response. Just one clarification—when implementing the Modbus stack on the ESP microcontroller, did you encounter any specific issues with data integrity or timing? If so, how did you handle them?

So far that we are using Markbus library so for data integrity.

We are we are using some kind of CRC communication method so that we can add the parity and other kind of security purpose. If there is any changes in the bit positions, it can be identified by means of search check data security operations which have incorporated.

Got it, Professor. The use of CRC for ensuring data integrity is a solid approach. Let’s now discuss your next area of strength. For *Teaching theory and laboratory courses*: Can you share a specific example of how you’ve successfully integrated a hands-on, practical approach into your teaching of embedded systems or IoT concepts?

Uh, yeah. Uh, so actually embedded system is a kind of practical oriented subject. OK. So when we have a scope for developing the simple prototype for each and every topic we are going to discuss with embedded system. OK, So the embedded system, the embedded system consists of hardware and software. So when we are talking with hardware means the microcontroller associate with several peripherals. So in order to explain those peripherals in effectively.

Students, so I have developed a simple prototype like suppose if I'm going to explain the analog to digital converter peripherals, I can I can simply develop one digital thermometer device so that that thermometer device will visualize the temperature room temperature effectively. So how based on the different parameters available in the ADC, I can effectively discuss those. Parameters in in terms of. Physical hardware similarly SP communications. So some of the sensors and other ADC DAG chips are comes by means of SPA interface. OLED displays and other DfT displays are comes with spy interface. So in order to demonstrate those kind of peripherals I will purchase 1SP interface ICS or LCD or display devices. I will easily communicate with the kind of.

SPA communication protocol concept in a clear way with the help of those prototype.

Thank you, Professor. Creating real-world prototypes like digital thermometers or SPI-based displays is an excellent way to provide hands-on learning for students. It’s refreshing to hear how you translate theoretical concepts into tangible learning experiences. Let’s move next to *Student evaluation and exam duties*: Could you elaborate on your approach to designing assessments that effectively gauge both theoretical understanding and practical skills in embedded systems or IoT courses?

Can you repeat, Sir?

Can you repeat the questions again?

Of course, Professor. Could you elaborate on your approach to designing assessments that effectively evaluate both theoretical understanding and practical skills in embedded systems or IoT courses?

So you are asking how we are going to evaluate the UH students for the laboratory and UH theoretical course, right?

Uh, so precisely, uh, usually, uh, so in order to evaluate the students effectively on laboratory and theoretical course, so we will ask them to write the simple assembly language program and high level C program for a simple task. Uh, so for example, if I want to.

Yes, Professor. Precisely, how do you ensure your assessments

I asked them to enable the SO connect one LED with GPO pins and based on the switch positions the LED can toggle and similarly ADC and SPA. So for this particular example I asked them to write the simple programming for in order to get the familiar about the particular peripherals.

Suppose if you want to enable if they are familiar with the GPO kind of things means.

Understood, Professor. Incorporating both theoretical and practical tasks such as programming GPIOs or integrating peripherals is a robust approach to evaluating students' understanding and hands-on capability. Now, let’s move to *Guiding student projects and research*. Could you share an example of a student project that you mentored, particularly one that was innovative or impactful in solving a real-world problem?

So I have mentored uh.

Many student projects and the recent project I am mentoring is.

Actually wearable healthcare jacket OK, so the innovative concepts behind the wearable chocolate is so the patient or the patient or the persons we are, we have developed wearable chocolate which integrated temperatures ECG.

And.

Optically, yeah, optically isolated SPO 2 sensors. So when, wherever, whichever they are wearing the jacket, it will collect all the parameters from the particular uh, persons and send the information to the cloud uh, remote side so that the doctor can able to continuously monitor the patient's activities. Suppose for the critical patients, they, they wear the jacket, they wear the wearable jacket means.

I see, Professor.

Will continuously give the informations about the critical patients so that based on the information is available on the cloud side, the doctor will give the instant communications, instant prescriptions to the patients to give them more.

Informations to safeguard those patients.

So the wearable jacket is running with battery powered device so it will. So we have used a Lipo battery so it will hardly. So since we are the sensors and microcontroller we are used in the wearable check. It is low power devices so it will take around 10 to 15 hours for your single charge that is that wearable jacket will provide the power to the particular devices.

So in such a way we can effectively communicate the patient data to the remote doctor so that he can able to service in a better way.

Thank you, Professor. That’s an impactful project, integrating healthcare and IoT effectively to address real-world needs. Let’s move forward. For *Clear communication and structured teaching approach*: How do you ensure clarity and structure when teaching complex topics like embedded systems or IoT to students from diverse academic backgrounds?

Uh, so usually I folk, uh, I follow the student centric and uh, outcome based educations approach. My Lesson plan template is based on outcome based education framework where I can firstly clearly mention the objective, learning objective. And then I plan activity and assessment in order to achieve those objective or outcomes. So I start with the avocation.

So which so I can connect the topic with the real life scenario or previous knowledge. So it is like a flipped classroom. So the students comes with some basic ideas so he can able to participate effectively in the discussion. And secondly I introduce the topics with the clear general objective and specific objective so that the students know what they're expected to learn. And I use a diagram prerecorded videos.

Real world examples and simple explanations.

For ensure the strong consumption understanding and I also use the mind map and I also use the mind map so that it will help the students to visually, visually and.

Visually connect with them with peer interaction and discussions. Finally I will I will use some simulator. OK, so since embedded systems are handsome oriented core subject, I will use some. Development IDE related to the microcontroller. I will develop the simple applications. I I can write the code.

On the time and I can demonstrate them how the theory is connected with practice. OK, so when the student see when the student see whatever they are learning into the practice means.

So the interest comes naturally improves, the interest naturally improves.

So finally, assessment. So I will use some stimulating questions.

These are MCQ to check their understanding. Finally some some of the topics I can connect with lab experiment or mini project so that it will support project based learnings. Also so students can able to apply theory into real systems. So overall this template will help me to integrate theory practice hands on training. And assessment in a structured way.

Thank

It ensure effective learning and uh.

What are achievements? Of course outcome.

In this way.

Thank you, Professor. Your structured approach, combining outcome-based education, hands-on learning, and project-based evaluations, demonstrates a strong commitment to student success. It’s an excellent framework for teaching complex topics effectively. Let's shift focus to *Research publications in reputed journals*. Could you provide an example of a recent paper you published and the significant contribution it made to its field?

Yeah. So the recent paper I have published in Q1 journal Taylor in Francis inside a threat detections. Actually my role of in this paper publication is I have developed a model for identifying the actually identifying the.

Thread.

Uh, so insider threat reductions means the author is involved inside the network environment. So I have developed the model which will identify effectively in those algorithm and it will help us to neutralize those things in the way of minimize the minimize the stack points around the.

Network.

Thank you, Professor. Developing a model to detect insider threats within network environments is a critical and impactful contribution, especially in the domain of cybersecurity. Let’s move to *Experience in industry projects or consultancy*. Could you describe a consultancy project you worked on with an industry partner and the specific value it added to their processes or outcomes?

Uh yes, as we discussed before uh, so very first project, we have double developed for capacitance based fuel level detector. Actually, uh uh the particular project uh we developed for Brickall industries, OK, so they are going to measure the fuel level of the petrol, diesel and ethanol contributions. Oils so they will add 50 and 20 percentage of ethanol with fuel.

So our sensor can able to measure in all the kind of fuels it will measure the petrol, diesel and the ethanol mixed fuels. So that for the 1st 2:00.

Understood,

Fuel it will our sensor can able to measure the actual levels. OK, there is no problem and the ethanol mixed fuel will give the challenging for designing the sensors. What happened. So we have designed sensor for like PCB based capacitive plate sensor we have developed while we measuring the fuel level ethanol mixed fuel. So the layers will be corrupted and then we do some kind of.

Research and we can come up, come up with the solution of a kind of coating. OK. So the coating will help us to measure the ethanol mixed fuel in a effective way.

So that we can able to measure the simple sensor can able to measure the petrol, diesel and ethanol mixed fuel.

Thank you, Professor. Developing a capacitive plate sensor capable of measuring ethanol-mixed fuel accurately, especially by addressing layer corrosion through innovative coatings, demonstrates significant technical skill and problem-solving ability. It’s an impressive consultancy project with real-world industrial applications. We’ve now covered the key areas. Thank you for sharing your detailed insights. Is there anything else you’d like to discuss or clarify?

Yes, actually with so by I am I believe I can able to contribute contribute effectively in academic excellence as well as research growth and industrial oriented skill development program in VIT university.

So I can able to contribute more and help the students to do some innovative project and motivate them to participate in National International Hackathon. Our project is in contests and other technical events in an effective way and I can help them to gain the practical exposure in all the subjects which are related to.

Embedded systems.

Thank you for sharing, Professor. Your dedication to academic excellence, research, and fostering practical skill development is evident. You're clearly passionate about guiding students to innovative projects and helping them succeed in competitive technical arenas. I’ve collected your thoughts and expertise throughout the discussion. Do you have anything additional to add, or shall we conclude the session?

That's all. Thank you. Thank you for your.

Could you repeat this?

Certainly, Professor. Do you have anything additional to add, or shall we conclude the session?

So with respect to research point of view, I, I want to add few points uh, so I have uh, now the a GI applications are uh, increasing rapidly, uh, in all areas. So the ADA applications need for high-speed cross, high speed processing and lower delay, low power consumption, but.

The existing single board computers meant for a related workloads.

Yeah, they are not specifically designed for that and we have a very less flexibility to improve the performance by using those Spgs. So what my research focuses on, I'm going to propose a propose A simulation based implementations where we are using risk free processor, risk free processor architecture. To analyze optimize the processor design for edge AI applications.

Once the design is optimized, the optimized decision is implemented on the FPGA hardware to validate the improvements. So my objective is to develop the Riskv platform for future EDGI system.

We can cut close.

Understood, Professor. Your research on optimizing RISC-V processor designs for Edge AI applications is a vital contribution, especially in addressing high-speed processing, low latency, and power efficiency. Developing an optimized RISC-V platform and validating it on FPGA hardware aligns perfectly with the needs of cutting-edge technological advancements. It’s an ambitious and forward-thinking area of research. Would you like to add anything further, or is this a good point to conclude the session?

Thank you, Professor. Just to confirm, would you like me to conclude the session now?

Yes.