Centre for Media Communications Research (CMCR)

The Centre for Media Communications Research (CMCR) pulls together peer recognised expertise within Electronic and Computer Engineering (ECE) at Brunel in order to conduct, promote and disseminate world-class research in the area of Media Communications systems. CMCR integrates the research efforts and expertise of 11 academics and over 40 researchers aiming to establish a nationally leading and internationally competent world force in this expanding area of technology. Some of the integrated researchers are internationally recognised authorities in their respective fields of research and possess a long track record of research income generation and high-quality publications. CMCR boasts state of the art facilities in the Media Laboratory in the Michael Sterling building. The Media Lab houses most CMCR researchers and provides a home to a major part of the centre research activities and showcases its work.

1. Image/video compression
2. Visual media processing
3. 3D Imaging technologies
4. Speech/audio processing and recognition
5. Media search and retrieval
6. Real-time signal processing
7. Networked media systems
8. Media transport and delivery over heterogeneous networks
9. Virtual/augmented reality technologies

Mission:

The CMCR mission is to capitalise on the existing expertise in Electronic and Computer Engineering in Brunel to create a sustainable world force in the area of Media Communication Systems with view to conduct, promote and disseminate research of international standing and competence.

Research Objectives:

CMCR aims to pioneer future research directions and innovations in Media Communication systems through the development of new technologies, dissemination of world-class research outputs and system integration of developed hardware and software modules. The core objectives of the Centre are as follows:

• To conduct high calibre basic and applied research in key areas related to Media Communications technologies
• To consolidate and support the research activities of the School of Engineering and Design, Brunel University, through the sustainable generation of research income from a variety of funding bodies
• To promote, encourage and support the wider dissemination of its  research outputs by publishing in prestigious and internationally leading journals
• To provide a platform for recruiting and training high-quality PhD students and Research Assistants
• To network with and develop further partnerships and alliances with industry
• To facilitate and promote the exploitation of its research outputs in particular technology transfer

Scientific Objective

In order to fulfil its strategic objectives, CMCR develops new technologies and conducts innovative research in key areas related to Media Communication systems such as:

• Image/video compression
• Visual media processing
• 3D Imaging technologies
• Speech/audio processing and recognition
• Media search and retrieval
• Real-time signal processing
• Networked media systems
• Media transport and delivery over heterogeneous networks
• Virtual/augmented reality technologies
  

On-going Projects

• Solar Soldier
• 3D VIVANT
• DTV4ALL
• Augmented Reality Systems
• A Grid Toolkit for Fast Computer Animation Rendering
• GREMO
• ROSSE
• Optimising BitTorrent for P2P Video Streaming
• Ontology based Research Paper Retrieval
• Grid Scheduling Optimisation

Completed Projects

• RUSHES
• Barriers to Interactive Television (BITe)

Partners

Fraunhofer/HHI, Berlin, Germany (Coordinator)	Athens Technology Center, Athens, Greece
Telefonica I+D, Spain	Queen Mary University, London, UK
VICOMTech, San Sebastian, Spain	Fast Search & Transfer, Oslo, Norway
CNIT - University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy	Euskal Telebista, Basque Country, Spain

Director

Professor Saeed Vaseghi

Deputy Director

Professor Abdul H. Sadka

Members of the steering committee

• Dr Amar Aggoun
• Dr Harry Agius
• Professor Marios Angelides
• Dr. Camille Baker
• Mr. Steve Cockett
• Dr Lu Gan
• Dr Takebumi Itagaki
• Dr Maozhen (Rick) Li
• Dr Thomas Owens
• Dr Emmanuel Tsekleves
• Mr. Fred Weimer

Research Staff

• Mr Vahid Abolghasemi (From Dec. 2011)
• Dr. Peter Lanigan
• Mr D. Skordoulis
• Mr. Rafiq Swash

Research Students

• Abubakr Umar - Multiple Description Coding for 3D Video Communications over Wireless Networks
  
• Achilleas Tsitroulis - Semi-automated 3D facial expresion animation and hand gestures for the hearing impaired
  
• Alipah Bte Pawi - Audio processing
  
• Amal Mehanna - 3D Video coding
  
• Damon Zad  - MC2: Multimedia Content Modelling Communities
  
• Eman Elazawi - Dynamic depth extraction tools
  
• Ghaidaa Al-Sultany - Context aware Mobile Message Annotation and Processing
  
• Godwin Caruana - Parallel Support Vector Machines for Large Scale Spam Filtering
  
• Hamdullah Mohib - Quality Optimisation in 3D Video over Heterogeneous Networks
  
• Inas Arusi - Real time 3D computer Graphics
  
• Ioannis Paraskevopoulos  - Simulation of Photovoltaics for Defence and Commercial Applications
  
• Juan Jacome Fernandez - System Integration of 3D VIVANT system
  
• Kawther Rekabi - Adaptive Mixed e-learning Algorithms
  
• Mahesh Ponraj - Scalable Video Streaming over the Internet
  
• Mahmood Mousawi - Information Retrieval with Semantics
  
• Mohammad Abrar Khan - Extending NS2 to provide Wi-fi network access control simulation capabilities
  
• Muhammad Irfan Aziz  - Navigation for the Blind using Bluetooth
  
• Noor Almadeed - Multimodal NN with OR voting
  
• Noor Mast - Enhancement of Transmission Control Protocol in Wireless Ad Hoc Networks
  
• Obaidullah Abdul Fatah - Algorithms for accurate depth map computation  and 3D object segmentation
  
• Rafiq Swash - 3D Holoscopic video processing and display
  
• Sanusi Mohammad - Scalability Techniques for Optimal Video Communications over Heterogenous Mobile Networks
  
• Shafik Sahli - Plug-in tools for 3D Holoscopic computer graphics
  
• Sultan Efe - 3D Animated Agents-for understanding learning, interaction and decision making of learners with Autism Spectrum Disorder
  
• Yu Zhao - Parallel Monte Carlo Algorithms for Finance Risk Management
  
• Zelong Liu - Parallel Latent Dirichlet Allocation for Fast Text Mining

Director

Prof Saeed Vaseghi

Director of Centre for Media Communications Research

Postal Address

Centre for Media Communications Research
Electronic and Computer Engineering
School of Engineering and Design,
Brunel University,
Uxbridge, Middlesex,
UB8 3PH, United Kingdom
Tel.  +44 (0)1895 265886
Fax. +44 (0)1895 269695

Location in University

Centre for Media Communications Research
Michael Sterling building