Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Lab

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Lab at the Computer Engineering department of Pillai College of Engineering is a funded project by AICTE under MODROBs Scheme. This lab is equipped with excellent infrastructure like AMD Thread Ripper (2nd Gen) 2970WX, Nvidia RT3090 24 GB GPU. Students from UG, PG and PhD programs are utilizing this facility for various Machine Learning, Deep Learning projects as this facility is free, secured and fast. Lab infrastructure is highly capable to handle various research and consultancy projects in the Artificial Intelligence domain.

This facility is also used for conducting hands-on training and workshops on Machine Learning, Deep Learning and AI related techniques.

Center of Excellence in 5G communication (Advanced Communication Lab)

Department of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering received Rs.15.13 lakhs grant under MODROBS scheme from AICTE (F. No: 9-122/RIFD/MOD/POLICY-1/2018-19). The grant is utilized for procurement of Vector Network analyzer (VNA), CST Microwave Studio simulator and high-end desktop computer. This will enhance RF and Microwave communication related activities in the department.

The Primary use of the VNA is to perform experiments for UG/PG students of PCE and to measure the performance of the RF equipment designed. The Operating frequency range of this VNA is from 50MHz to 8 GHz. VNA is used to validate the simulation results. So far, we have designed and implemented a few RF components like filters, couplers, impedance matching networks, power dividers and antennas in CST simulator. The performance of these components has been measured using VNA and the simulated results are in good agreement with the measured results. We are now looking forward to designing many more such RF components. The full two port VNA can also measure the radiation pattern or gain of the antenna. High end desktop is dedicated as a server PC for CST Microwave studio. One can design RF and Microwave communication components using a CST simulator. Also, many other electronic equipment/circuit analysis and design can be done using CST simulator.

Using this setup, we are also planning to conduct Skill development programs (Workshops / Seminars / FDP / SDP etc.) for students and faculties of PCE and other organizations. The facility is available to use for the research scholars and faculties of colleges / organizations.

CISCO Network Academy

Pillai College of Engineering signed MoU with Cisco in the year 2018. Following this, few faculty members of the college underwent instructor training for Cisco Networking Academy in the month of April 2019 and again in April 2020. The training sessions were Instructor Led Training conducted at the Pillai College of Engineering. It was very helpful and informative. It enhanced the knowledge of our faculty members thus expertising them in their respective domain. Faculty members are given NetAcad login and training completion certificates. We have now a dedicated lab for Networking equipped with all the required components and devices. We are able to provide students hands on training to these devices and impart them all practical knowledge. After being trained from Cisco Academy, faculty members conducted ad on courses for students: Networking and its Fundamentals and Industrial Internet of Things. There was an overwhelming response from students for these courses. The course motivated students to expertise and acquire a skill set. We now offer these courses at the end of each semester for preparing our students for Industry.

Industry 4.0 LAB

Industry 4.0 lab is an initiative of Pillai College of Engineering. This lab is equipped with a couple of 3DOF industrial robotic arms with assembly line conveyor system integration. This facility has been planned as per the requirements and needs of the Industry. Through this facility we are offering a program that would help one to experience, learn, enhance students’ knowledge and upgrade their skills in robotics and automation. One can learn the Operation and Control of Robotic systems. The programming and understanding of the functionality of our advanced robots with hands-on experience, to program and control robots physically and remotely from their home. Concepts like automation, controls, deep learning, AI, Image Processing, manufacturing & assembly line application etc. are possible to teach and explore with this setup. System is integrated with 3D printing, laser Engraving, Pen Drawing, Pick Place, and a lot more capabilities.

Urban Expansion Observatory (UXO)

Mahatma Education Society has jointly developed a research center called Urban Expansion Observatory in conjunction with New York University Stern School of Business. The work that will be conducted here aims to measure the quality of expansion in urban areas from 1990 – 2020 using high-resolution imagery. The Observatory is being established to undertake the digitization of high-resolution satellite imagery, in order to measure the quality of urban expansion in the fringe areas of 200 global cities from 1990 – 2020. The outputs from the digitization will be analyzed to obtain various urban indicators.

Currently the work done by the UXO has been published at the UN Habitat Conference in 2016, the Economic Survey of India Vol 2 in 2017 published by the Ministry of Finance. It has executed projects for the Government of Columbia, 100 Resilient Cities, CIDCO, Tata Consulting Engineers and many others.

Advanced Networking and Database Lab

Supported by two MODROB grants by AICTE of 12.5 lakhs and 8 lakhs the Advanced Networking and Database lab was developed. This lab is used by researchers

Drone Innovation Lab

The drone lab at Pillai College of Engineering uses drone technology to conduct drone surveys around Maharashtra for various agencies. It has conducted consultancy projects for CIDCO, Tata Consulting Engineers and Highway Construction Company. The drone lab also helps students develop their own drone technologies with the potential of commercialization. It also conducts various faculty and student development programs on drone technologies and processing drone imagery. Pillai College of Engineering has many advanced drones, like the DJI Phantom 4, Inspire, Parrot AR drone. Students design and manufacture drones using 3D printing and laser cutting technology.

Makers Studio

The Makers Studio at PCE has many different types of fabrication equipment such as 3D printers, laser cutting machines, CNC milling machines and CNC lathes and many others. It also has many basic tools necessary so that students can fabricate their projects and inventions. PCE offers students the chance to experience engineering beyond textbooks and classrooms. In addition, the college workshop facilities are fitted for every aspiring carpenter, welder or metal worker to develop technical skills vital to the industry. State of the art facilities include workbenches, lathes and mills as well as a Computer Aided Manufacturing workshop fitted with Bosch cutters as well as manual multi axial lathes. In addition, three 3D printers complete with laser cutting and engraving machines enables students to produce rapid prototypes so they may explore their ideas.

Research and Innovation Center

The research and innovation center has been set up to support PG and PhD students to conduct research. Research areas are controls, instrumentation, materials, energy and manufacturing. The center contains advanced equipment and setups that are funded by DST, AICTE as well as various industries.

Component Library

The component library is a facility available for students and faculty to check our various components such as sensors, motors, IoT devices for various projects. It also contains raspberry pi, arduino boards etc that students can check out use for projects or experimentation and then return to the library when done. It allows students to experiment with different types of equipment before purchasing it for themselves.

Membrane Casting Facility

This exciting project involves the application of carbon nanotube-based ultrafiltration membranes for water filtration. The facility was sponsored by BRNS DAE to fabricate thin film membranes using carbon nanotubes for various applications.

Automatic Weather Station

Under the plan scheme “Metropolitan Advisories for Cities for Sports, Tourism (Metropolitan Air Quality and Weather Services), Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Govt. of India, has introduced a major national initiative, “System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research” known as “SAFAR” for greater metropolitan cities of India to provide location specific information on air quality in near real time and its forecast 1-3 days in advance for the first time in India. It has been combined with the early warning system on weather parameters.

The SAFAR system is developed by Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune, along with ESSO partner institutions namely India Meteorological Department (IMD) and National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF). The implementation of SAFAR is made possible with an active collaboration with local municipal corporations and various local educational institutions and governmental agencies. PCE is a project partner of SAFAR. The ultimate objective of the project is to increase awareness among the general public regarding the air quality in their city well in advance so that appropriate mitigation measures and systematic action can be taken up for betterment of air quality and related health issues. Its engineer’s awareness drive by educating the public, prompting self-mitigation and also to help develop mitigation strategies for policy makers.