Prof Chris Harris Chris Harris's picture

Professor Christopher Harris was born and educated in Portsmouth, Hampshire before receiving University Education at Leicester (BSc), Oxford (MA) and Southampton (PhD). His PhD was awarded for research into the 'Theory and Stability of Pulse Frequency Modulated Systems'. He returned to the University of Southampton as the Lucas Professor of Aerospace Systems Engineering in 1987 to establish the Advanced Systems Research Group and more recently ISIS. He previously held appointments at the Universities of Hull, UMIST, Oxford and Cranfield, as well as being employed by the UK Ministry of Defence. He was elected to the Royal Academy of Engineering in 1996.

His research interests lie in the general area of intelligent and adaptive systems theory and its application to intelligent autonomous systems such as autonomous vehicles, management infrastructures such as command & control, intelligent control and estimation of dynamic processes, multi-sensor data fusion and systems integration.

Current research programmes include:

  1. Neurofuzzy estimation theory (yinyang). Development of a range of neural network/fuzzy logic/neurofuzzy algorithms for the construction of dynamic processes internal states utilising only experiential data. Investigation of links to Bayesian estimators such as extended Kalman filters etc. (EPSRC funded).
  2. Neurofuzzy estimators for trajectory path determination. (Seth). This project is utilising chaos theory and neurofuzzy modelling and construction theory (DRA funded).
  3. Neurofuzzy parsimonious modelling and construction algorithms (Osiris) Development of minimum parameter models of dynamic processes utilising input/output data and apriori data, whilst retaining network/model transparency and development of associated learning theory. (Joint projects with Martin Brown, GEC, Lucas, Eurotherm, Neural Computing Sciences, EPSRC).
  4. Intelligent Modelling of brake squeal and system design sensitivity via neurofuzzy intelligent modelling algorithms (Tridant). This is a joint project with ISVR and is funded by EPSRC and Lucas Varity.
  5. Intelligent data acquisition for condition monitoring (IDAC). This project is investigating data acquisition for condition monitoring of rotating machines utilising neurofuzzy wavelets, higher order spectra, Wigner Ville transforms etc and online data to determine faults in generating plant. Joint project with PAC, ProSig and funded by EPSRC.
  6. Intelligent modelling and control of multi-degree of freedom dynamic systems. Development of quasi-linear multivariable neurofuzzy controllers, with proven stability conditions for nonlinear 6 freedom apriori unknown AUVs. Also investigation into high order learning laws for realtime/online modelling. (Joint with Martin Brown, funded by EPSRC).
  7. Modelling & control of silicon plasma etching via neurofuzzy algorithms; development of intelligent quantitative and qualitative modelling theory. (Funded by EPSRC, joint with Steve Gabriel, Dept of Aero & Astro).
  8. Multisensor data fusion from disparate, spatially separate sensors for collision avoidance and communcations for marine navigation (Argos). A major project involving basic research with data fusion and tracking algorithms together with their application to high speed ship navigation. Joint EPSRC funded project with the Department of Ship Science, Racal Research and MSA.
  9. Distributed artificial intelligence for mission management and complex systems integration using neurofuzzy adaptive planners and TOFLOG. Demonstration for intelligent cooperative (and uncooperative) dynamic multiagent processes.

New projects in the areas of intelligent multimedia, intelligent sensors/sensor validation, conditioning and reconfiguration), and systems integration are to start in 1997.

Formal international research links and collaborations exist with Prof Stan Dunn and Dr Edgar An (Florida Atlantic Univ, USA), Prof Klaus Schilling (Ravensberg-Weingarten TH, Germany), Dr Tom Kavli (SINTEF, Norway), Dr TH Lee (National University of Singapore), Dr WC Chan (Univ of Hong Kong), Prof FQ Zhou, (Huazhong Univ, PR China).

Professor Harris is the editor of the Int. J. of Systems Science, and Associate Editor of numerous International Journals including Automatica, Engineering Applications of AI, Int. J. General Systems Engineering, and the OUP Int. J. on Mathematical Control & Information Theory. He is very active on various International conference programme committees including EE, IEEE, IFAC. He is a member of the UK Government Cabinet Office panel on Defence and Aerospace, a member of various EPSRC advisory committees (in Control, Design and Production, IMI and Education) and a member of the Defence Scientific Advisory Council.

Professor Harris is the co-author of 5 research books, and editor of 6 other research texts. Also he has authored/co-authored nearly 250 research papers in the International domain.

Chris Harris' publication list.

Email: cjh@ecs.soton.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1703 592353
Fax: +44 (0)1703 594498