Asad Inamdar

Biography

Born and raised in Pune, India, I graduated in 2021 with a Technical Diploma in Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering from Cusrow Wadia Institute of Technology, where I focused on circuit design, telecommunication systems, and project management. During this time, I was actively involved in organizing events under the Student Chapter of the Institution of Engineers, India, and served as a student representative for two consecutive years.

My undergraduate education continued at the University of Hertfordshire, where I specialized in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. Here, I honed my expertise in PCB design, MATLAB simulations, and antenna design for 5G communication systems. My final year project, which involved developing a dual-polarized microstrip antenna for mobile handsets, enhanced my skills in design optimization and performance analysis. For this project, I was honored with the Global Invacom Award for the best telecommunications final-year project.

Following graduation, I joined Keele University as a KTP Associate, where I have been instrumental in advancing embedded systems for wildlife conservation. Collaborating with Arribada Initiative C.I.C., I am developing firmware for miniature, lightweight avian satellite tags deployed in remote and environmentally diverse locations. This project integrates rigorous software testing, bug tracking, and field trials to ensure reliable performance in conservation efforts.

Throughout my career, I have developed a robust skill set in embedded software engineering, hardware integration, and system optimization. I am proficient in programming languages such as C++, Python, and Java and have experience with CAD tools like CATIA and Fusion 360. My work has consistently bridged the gap between academic research and practical engineering, contributing to innovative solutions in various fields, including telematics and wildlife conservation.

I remain committed to environmental sustainability and am driven by a passion for leveraging engineering to address global challenges.

Further information

The company the KTP Associate is working with to deliver this KTP grant - Arribada | Open Source Technology for Wildlife, People & Planet

The company’s Github - Arribada Initiative · GitHub

Asad’s LinkedIn and Github:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/asad-inamdar/, https://github.com/AsadInamdar

My Keele supervisors:

KTP Lead in Keele – Dr Dmitry Kishkinev: Dmitry Kishkinev - Keele University

KTP Supervisor in Keele – Dr Bappaditya Mandal: Bappaditya Mandal - Keele University

Experience and skills

Work experience

Keele University working with Arribada Initiative C.I.C.
Keele (Keele University) and London (Arribada), United Kingdom

KTP Associate
November 2024 – present

• Developing a lightweight affordable ARGOS/Kineis satellite tracker (Avian Tag) suitable for tracking small animals globally for research and conservation working as a key figure (KTP Associate) for the Keele-Arribada Knowledge Transfer Partnership grant.
• Project management and KTP coordination.

University of Hertfordshire
Hatfield, United Kingdom

SPECS Proctor
September 2022 – August 2024

• Supported the electrical and electronic engineering labs, enhancing operations and student learning experiences.
• Collaborated extensively with professors and students on projects involving PCB design and system troubleshooting, employing tools like CATIA and SolidWorks, and aligning with industry protocols such as RS485 and CANBUS.
• Improved daily operational tasks and administrative processes, ensuring seamless day-to-day university functions.

Decibels Labs
Bengaluru, India

Electrical Design Intern
October 2020 – December 2020

• Specialized in the model-based design and simulation of power electronic components, including Inverters, Converters, and DC motors, crucial for advanced aerospace applications.
• Utilized MATLAB and Simulink to conduct detailed simulations and analysis, ensuring electronic systems met rigorous performance and reliability standards.
• My role involved extensive troubleshooting and optimization, skills critical for developing and integrating electronic and electrical systems.

HunarPro
Pune, India

Robot Assembly & Design Intern
July 2020 – September 2020

• Engaged in the design and simulation of power electronics for vehicle systems, utilizing MATLAB and Simulink.
• Focused on fault diagnosis and reliability enhancements in electronic components, contributing to innovative solutions in a demanding, project-driven environment.
• Utilized Fusion 360 and Eagle PCB for CAD design, and programmed using Arduino IDE and Python, contributing to the innovative use of robotics in healthcare.

Education

University of Hertfordshire
BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering
September 2021 - June 2024

(Achieved: Higher 2^nd Class Honors)

Activities and Societies: Active member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology, University Debate and Photography Society.

Cusrow Wadia Institute of Technology, Pune
Technical Diploma (HND) in Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering
September 2019 – August 2021

(Achieved: 1st Class with Distinction)

Activities and Societies: Organized multiple events under The Institute of Engineers, India Student Chapter Program. Elected as the Student Representative for two consecutive years for the E&Tc Engineering department.

Projects

Development of a miniature lightweight open-source ARGOS/Kineis satellite tracker for small animal tracking (current KTP grant 2024-2027)

• Objective: develop, test and publicise a lightweight affordable ARGOS/Kineis satellite tracker (Avian Tag) suitable for tracking small animals globally for research and conservation.
• Methodology: Using Arribada’s reference product (Horizon) adapt and develop a smaller footprint ARGOS/Kineis tracker (aiming for 5g device).
• Document research and development of the Avian Tag.
• Disseminate outcomes via conferences, publications, round tables, Github/web pages and other routes.

Design of a Dual Polarized Microstrip Antenna for 5G Mobile Handsets

• Objective: Design a compact, high-performance dual-polarized microstrip antenna to meet the burgeoning demand for faster and more dependable 5G mobile communication.
• Methodology: Utilized advanced electromagnetic theory to conceptualize the antenna design. Conducted iterative simulations in Ansys HFSS to optimize antenna parameters for dual polarization, focusing on minimizing interference while maximizing bandwidth and gain.
• Achieved a 20% improvement in bandwidth and a 15% increase in gain compared to conventional antenna designs, facilitating enhanced 5G signal reception and transmission.
• Successfully reduced the antenna's physical size by 30%, enabling its integration into compact mobile handsets without compromising performance.
• Compiled and documented the design process, simulation results, and optimization strategies, contributing to the academic community's knowledge of 5G antenna designs.

Advanced Hand Gesture-Controlled Robotic Vehicle with Real-Time Feedback

• Objective: Develop an innovative hand gesture-controlled car to explore new dimensions of human-machine interaction, focusing on ease of use and intuitive control mechanisms.
• Methodology: Implemented a combination of motion sensors and a microcontroller to interpret hand gestures as control signals. Developed the software in C and Python, integrating sensor data processing algorithms to translate gestures into precise vehicular movements.
• Engineered a fully functional prototype that responds accurately to five distinct hand gestures, achieving seamless forward, backwards, left, right, and stop commands.
• Demonstrated programming versatility by effectively, to create a responsive and reliable control system and conducted user testing to refine the gesture recognition system, enhancing the car's responsiveness and user-friendliness.

Core skills and competencies

• PCB Circuit Design & Analysis
• Circuit Simulation
• Embedded Systems Development
• Antenna Design
• CAD Tools (CATIA, SolidWorks, Fusion 360)
• Simulation Software (MATLAB, Ansys HFSS)
• Programmable logic controllers (PLCs)
• Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
• Project Management Tools (Microsoft Project, Visio)
• Development Environments (MPLAB, Arduino IDE)
• Programming Languages (Embedded C, C++, Java, Linux, Python)
• Cloud Computing, AWS, Node.js
• Time Management
• Bug Tracking and Software Testing
• Firmware Development
• Problem-Solving
• Attention to detail
• Meeting Deadline
• Communication Skills
• Teamwork

Certifications

• Python Programming | Felix IT Systems
• PCB Architecture and Design | Cisco thingQbator
• Introduction to Satellite Communications | Coursera (Institut Mines- Télécom)
• Android Application Development | Architectica Start-up Solutions
• Electronic Applications | OpenLearn

What is Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP)

Project summary

The KTP partnership is between Keele University academics and Arribada Initiative C.I.C., a not-for-profit unit developing electronics for researchers and wildlife conservation communities, unlocking wider access to conservation technologies and developing open access (hardware and software is publicly available), affordable solutions. All Arribada's profits are reinvested to sustain the company's growth and support further research and development (R&D) activities. Currently, Arribada specialises in satellite trackers for sea turtles and other marine life. The main product is Horizon --- a satellite transmitter used for turtle trackers (Turtle Tag) sending locations to ARGOS / Kinéis satellites (global satellite systems that collect, process and disseminate environmental data). The company's aim is to expand into bird conservation and build a miniature, lightweight (5g vs 300-400g turtle tags), affordable, open-source avian tracker (hereafter, Avian Tag) leveraging the R&D underlying Horizon and drawing on the Kinéis's ability to work with miniature low-power devices not available until recently. Yet, the Avian Tag is not just a smaller Turtle Tag but requires embedding specialists' expertise and knowledge from the Knowledge Base (KB) partners studying avian behaviour, physiology and migration. KB provides this knowledge of end-user requirements, and facilitates field testing using experimental birds, dissemination of results and future development.

Aim of the KTP project

To develop a miniature, lightweight (5g), low-cost, open-source ARGOS/Kinéis compatible satellite tracker suitable for global bird tracking for conservation and research communities. The partnership aims to support a transfer of specialists' academic expertise and knowledge about bird behaviour, physiology and ecology into the business throughout the whole product development process.

About this partnership and KTP in general

Keele University has been awarded a 27-month Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) in partnership with Arribada Initiative C.I.C., a not-for-profit Community Interest Company specialising in the design and development of open, affordable, customisable and impact-driven technologies for conservation organisations globally, including satellite telemetry instruments, biologgers, low-cost thermal sensors and optical timelapse cameras, among others.

The Knowledge Transfer Partnership scheme is one of the UK's largest graduate recruitment schemes (http://ktp.innovateuk.org/) and is a three-way collaborative project between the Associate, the Company and the University. It provides an opportunity to manage a challenging project central to a Company’s strategic development and long-term growth. The KTP Associate is a Keele University employee, working alongside Arribada’s engineers both remotely and on-site at their facilities in London and/or Portsmouth, supported by a dedicated academic supervision team at the University. A protected budget is also available to the Associate for training and personal development. This is a unique opportunity for anyone seeking to take an active role in the development of impact-driven conservation technologies.

About the KTP Associate’s mission

The KTP Associate is responsible for developing and writing embedded software (code inside a wearable device) to support the​​ development of new satellite-IoT avian products (tags), with support from Arribada’s hardware engineers who have designed an ARGOS / Kinéis satellite transmitter reference design, utilising the ARGOS / Kinéis constellation of low earth orbit satellites to collect, process and disseminate environmental data. The KTP’s aim is to make available a miniature avian tag / product for use by ornithologists (avian biologists) and other ecologists, targeting the development of a lightweight (5g), affordable, open-source avian tracker (hereafter, Avian Tag) leveraging the technical capabilities of Arribada’s experienced team of hardware and embedded engineers and Keele University’s field and veterinary researchers to develop, deploy, test and refine the product.