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Alexandros Schillings

 

Education and Qualifications

2004 - 2011

University of Essex, Colchester, UK

 

PhD: Collaborative and Information-aware Routing in Wireless Sensor Networks Using Game Theory

This thesis makes a number of contributions.

  • First, we propose a more efficient and resource light way to describe the energy levels of a network in a node centric way without requiring expensive map dissemination techniques by abstracting the network's health using only three values.
  • Next, we expand the previous model by building on the concept of Information Value (IV) to convey an application-specific descriptor of the importance of stored information in a node. This allows for information driven routing, in a sense that given two possible paths a node can choose to route through the more information-rich one in order to improve the quality of the extracted data.
  • We then present Versatile Game Theoretic Routing Protocol (VGTR) which is a routing protocol implementing the model proposed earlier. It is a multi hop query-response protocol which allows each node to select its own next-hop by calculating the game theoretic payoff function for each of its neighbours, thus increasing its own survivability (directly) and the survivability of its upstream neighbours. In addition, emphasising Information-aware routing is possible by compromising on energy-efficiency and using more information rich paths. It has been designed in a way which makes it easily portable to any network capable device.
  • Continuing, we introduce Node Query and Control Language (NQCL) which is used to retrieve information from network nodes. It utilises an SQL-like syntax to formulate queries and commands that can be targeted to specific nodes based on the queried results and the characteristics of the nodes. This, in addition to IV allows us to use an application-driven design approach in order to keep the proposed protocol and model both flexible and efficient. NQCL was designed in a way which makes it easily adoptable by most query-response routing protocols.
  • Finally, we developed an adaptable and expandable node management application which serves not only as a front end for query execution and node status display, but also as an inventory management system for multiple deployments irrespectively of node brand or hardware configuration. Additional protocols and result dissection and analysis methods can be added via .Net DLLs.

The algorithm was modelled in Matlab and simulated in ns-2

2001 - 2004

University of Essex, Colchester, UK

 

BEng Computers and Networks (1st Class Hons)

Projects:

Third year project: An Infrastructure Investigation for a Generic Versatile Wireless Device.

It was aimed to create the hardware and software infrastructure that can allow a small and inexpensive battery-powered device to be used for various everyday networking applications.

Each node was controlled by a 16F628 PIC microcontroller, used 433MHz FM transceivers and utilised a custom routing protocol.

A PC application which allowed the monitoring of communication via a base station and protocol analysis was also produced. The project was implemented using CSS C and Borland C++ 6.

Second year project: BUSHITO Robot Command Console

A graphical user interface that allowed a user to connect, via an internet enabled remote station, to a Intel and Xilinx-controlled wireless robot (using FM transceivers) and control it via a custom protocol.

Furthermore it displayed status feedback and constructed a 2-dimensional persistent map of the area the robot had explored and scanned with its radar. It was written in Borland C++ 6.

1999 - 2001

Vocational Education Training Institute of Alimos, Athens, Greece.

 

Computer Networks Technician Diploma

Final Average mark of all semesters: 17.4/ 20 (87.0 %). 

Final Project: A secure java chat system utilising an expanded Enigma encryption algorithm and implementing file transfers.

1993-1999

1st Experimental Unified Lyceum of Athens "Gennadio", Athens, Greece

 

Technologically/Science oriented High school Degree

Key Skills and Awards

IT Skills:

  • Operating Systems:

MS DOS, Windows 3.11/95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP/Vista/7, Unix/Linux, PalmOS/ Garnet, Widows Mobile 5/6, Android, (Advanced) and Mac (Intermediate).

  • Administration:

Proficient in the administration of Unix/Linux and Microsoft Windows networked environments and servers. Database design/maintenance (Competent).

  • Programming:

Java, ANSI C, Borland C++ 6, C++, Visual Studio 6, Visual Studio .Net (VB and C#), Pascal,

TCL/TK, J2ME, HB++, SQL, SQLite, AWK, AMX, Procon, Android (Advanced).

Assembly (ARM, Motorola 68K, PIC), JavaScript, JSP, PHP, HTML, Crestron - A* Certified (Competent).

  • Network Simulators:

ns-2 Network Simulator, OPNET (Advanced).

  • Hardware:

Knowledge of digital circuit design and PCB design and building using NI MultiSim, Proteus and Eagle.

  • Other:

MATLAB, UML (Intermediate). MS Office, OpenOffice.org (Advanced).

Novell Intranetware (3.12, 4.11).

Awards:

  • University of Essex scholarship for my PhD studies.
  • EPSRC CASE studentship for my PhD studies.
  • Best final year project presentation nominee, awarding bodies: BT and University of Essex.
  • Scholarship for all semesters at the Vocational Education Training Institute of Alimos.
  • Award of Excellence (First Prize) from the Vocational Education Training Institute of Alimos, for the final semester's thematic project.

 

Other:

  • Fluent in Greek and English, learning German.
  • Member of the IEE and IEEE.
  • Good communication skills including listening and counselling.
  • Strong team work and leadership skills; also comfortable working independently and autonomously.
  • Adaptable to different work environments and responsibilities, even under pressure.
  • Analytical thinking, problem solving, information gathering, contingency planning.
  • Excellent organisational and time management skills.
  • Committed and positive approach.

Employment History

July 2011 - Current

GenieMobile

 

Android Developer

 

 

Sep 2008 - July 2011

Audiovisual Media Services, University Of Essex

 

Audio Visual Technician

Member of a small team responsible for approximately 170 rooms, of which 160 have AV equipment installed. As a team we have creative freedom and we research and develop solutions for the University.

Current duties include:

  • Supporting and facilitating conferences and events (both commercial and internal) which take place on Campus
  • Understanding the University's technical needs and planning ahead for future technological requirements, both for teaching and event purposes.
  • Providing training to members of staff on how to use the audio visual equipment in the classrooms.
  • Manning the service counter which allows students and staff to borrow audio visual equipment and discuss requirements.
  • Programming, installing and maintaining the Procon and AMX control panels and infrastructure used in the AV rooms. Currently, 75 rooms are installed with such panels and we are deploying them campus-wide.
  • Involved with using, maintaining and supporting the University's video conferencing infrastructure, which includes Multi Campus Teaching facilities. This also includes portable units.
  • Developing and maintaining an in-house solution for the digital recording of lectures over the University network utilising Linux-based compact PCs. The same system is used to provide digital signage giving timetabling information, to students and staff.  It is implemented using a combination of C++ and Linux shell scripts. The system, called 'ListenAgain' was formally launched on May 2011.
  • Developing and maintaining a number of internal use applications including a network resource managing database and front-end, digital signage control software and a range of network scanning and health monitoring utilities mostly using .Net and Java. Similar applications where also written for the Android platform.

Sep 2004 – Sep 2008

Audio Visual Media Services, University Of Essex

 

Teaching Services Assistant

Responsible for the Audio/Visual equipment in classes and lecture theatres, the testing of new equipment before installing them and maintain them.

Involved in a number of projects including the implementation of an infrastructure for the digital recording of lectures, the streaming of said lectures on/off-site and the installation and use of digital signage on the University campus.

Oct 2004 – Sep 2008

Electronic System Engineering Dept., University Of Essex

 

Graduate Teaching Demonstrator/ Graduate Class Teaching Assistant

I was a lab demonstrator for Software Engineering (C++), Game Development (PlayStation 2/J2ME) and Xilinx Design.

My main responsibilities were to reply to students' enquiries concerning the given tasks and help them understand and overcome any problems they might have with their assignments.

In addition, from September 2005 till June 2006 I gave biweekly tutorials to classes of second year students, as part of the IEE (now IET) Professional Development Studies scheme, with the purpose of expanding their team work, research, presentation and problem solving skills.

Nov 2005

Electronic System Engineering Dept., University Of Essex

 

Periodic Review Student Panel Member

Helped identify strengths and weaknesses the Department has in its schemes of study and operation as an educational entity. I also provided the panel with first hand knowledge of the Department since the other members should not belong to it.

Sep 2005 – Oct 2005

Strata Systems LTD, Ipswich

 

Networks Technician

Performed a system health check on a small sized network. This included testing the status and the functionality of the current network implementation, performing changes in the Server configuration and proposing new usage guidelines for the users to follow in order to increase the security and functionality of the network.

Jun 2004 – Sep 2004

Electronic System Engineering Dept., University Of Essex

 

Temporary Research Assistant, Flying Gridswarms project

Developed, as a continuation of my final year project, the hardware and software needed for a versatile device that is using an Ad-Hoc network to communicate, originally using FM transceivers and later Bluetooth.

The aim of this system was to provide low-cost radio based location sensing system using RSSI. The produced hardware platform was PIC based and provided feedback and pairing setup via a built-in LCD screen. As the aim of the project was to make the device airborne, particular attention was given to weight, energy efficiency and durability.

Dec 2003 – Jan 2004

Lambrou Ioannis, Athens, Greece

 

Networks Technician

Performed an upgrade/ update a small sized network in an architectural office. This included both maintenance and installation of new workstations and network components. Furthermore, backup timetables and usage guidelines had to be developed and introduced to the users.

Voluntary Activities

Oct 2005 – Sep 2008

Electronic System Engineering Dept., University Of Essex

 

Research Policy Committee Student Representative

I liaised between research students and members of staff of the Department, notifying either side of any problems that arise and seek solutions.

Oct 2004 – Sep 2008

Disciplinary Committee, University Of Essex

 

Student Member

I was periodically called to hear a case of a student breaching the Disciplinary Regulations of the University and along with two other members of the committee decide, by majority of vote, if the student in question is guilty or not and if  a penalty  is to be imposed.

Jun 2004 – Sep  2008

St John – LINKS Society, University Of Essex

 

First Aider

As a member of the St John LINKS society and holder of a First Aid at Work (FAW) certificate, I provided first aid cover in both University and non-University based social and sports events. From 2003-2004 I was also the secretary of the society.

Oct 2005 – Oct 2006

Disciplinary and Membership Panel, University Of Essex

 

Student Member

The purpose of the Disciplinary and Membership Panel is to review all Disciplinary cases in order to comment on the consistency of their resolution and, if necessary, change the procedures used. As a student member, I provided insight into the student experience and how disciplinary procedures needed to be altered to reflect changes in student life.

Interests

I have been a member of the Scouts of Greece for the last 10 years and I was a group sub-leader for 4 years. I enjoy hiking, swimming, travelling, listening to music, art, literature, and watching movies. I also enjoy following current affairs and the latest technology and gadgets.

Current side projects include:

  • Writing applications for the Google Android platform. I am mostly interested on the networking and location-awareness capabilities integrated in the OS. Currently developing a "virtual tour guide" application which uses a mix of GPS and custom Bluetooth/WiFi/GSM Cell RSSI-based location system which allows a person to walk around an area while the phone streams location-based audiovisual and textual information through the network, depending on his position and orientation. As a fallback, the same information can be accessed through the use of barcodes placed on points-of-interest.
  • Developing a home automation system based on Linux utilising Gumstix and custom built PIC-based hardware for nodes, which uses open standard protocols. The system allows any java-capable platform to control devices by securely connecting to a node using an easily extensible framework which supports X10, IP, IrDA and Bluetooth.  This project was inspired after noticing limitations in the existing Crestron/AMX implementations which limit their ability to interact transparently with other control systems, along with their high cost. Currently trying to find a suitable platform to replace Gumstix, as it does not support 802.11a/n which can operate outside the heavily used 2.4GHz frequency range.


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