Full-time study

4 years

doc. Ing. Petr Drexler, Ph.D.

Chairman :
doc. Ing. Petr Drexler, Ph.D.
Councillor internal :
doc. Ing. Jan Mikulka, Ph.D.
doc. RNDr. Dana Hliněná, Ph.D.
prof. Ing. Lubomír Brančík, CSc.
doc. Ing. et Ing. Vilém Neděla, Ph.D., DSc.
doc. RNDr. Martin Kovár, Ph.D.
Councillor external :
prof. Ing. Jan Macháč, DrSc.
prof. RNDr. Ondřej Kalenda, Ph.D.
prof. RNDr. Martin Knor, Ph.D.

The doctoral study program "Theoretical Electrical Engineering" is focused on the preparation of high-qualified scientific and research specialists in various areas of theoretical electrical engineering. Particularly, in the theory and applications of electromagnetism, electrical circuits, electro/magnetic measurement methods and signal processing methods. The preparation is supported by the provision of knowledge in related mathematical disciplines such as stochastic processes and statistical methods of systems investigation, systems analysis using functional equations, design of multi-criteria optimization methods, numerical methods for solution of continuous and discrete dynamical systems and others. The aim of the program is to provide a doctoral education to graduates of Master's degree in all these sub-disciplines, to deepen their theoretical knowledge and to develop practical expert skills and to educate them in the methods of scientific work.

Graduates in doctoral study program "Theoretical Electrical Engineering" are able to solve scientific and complex technical innovation tasks in the field of electrical engineering at the theoretical level, as well as its practical use in research, development and production. To solve technical research and development tasks, they are equipped with a complex knowledge of the theory and application of electromagnetic field, electrical circuits, methods of measuring and signal processing and their physical and mathematical description. They are able to use modern computing, measuring and diagnostic techniques in a creative way.
Thanks to the high-quality theoretical education, practical expert skills and specialization in the chosen field, graduates of doctoral study are sought as specialists and executive staff in general electrical engineering. They will apply as researchers in basic or applied research, as specialists and leaders of teams in development, design and operation in research and development institutions and in electrical and electronic manufacturing companies operating in the field of advanced technologies.

Specialists and executive staff in general electrical engineering, researchers in basic or applied research, specialists and leaders of teams in development, design and operation in research and development institutions and in electrical and electronic manufacturing companies operating in the field of advanced technologies

The doctoral study is conducted according to the individual study plan. The individual study plan is prepared by the supervisor in cooperation with the doctoral student at the beginning of the study. The individual study plan specifies all the duties stipulated in accordance with the Study and Examination Rules at the Brno University of Technology, which the doctoral student must fulfill to successfully finish his studies. These responsibilities are scheduled throughout the whole study period; they are scored and they are evaluated at the end of given periods.
The student enrolls and takes examinations of the compulsory courses Numerical Computations with Partial Differential Equations and English for the state doctoral exam; at least two obligatory elective courses relating to the focus of his dissertation and at least two optional courses (English for Post-graduates; Scientific Citing; Solution of Innovational Tasks; Scientific publishing).
The student may enroll for the state doctoral exam only after taking all the exams prescribed by the individual study plan. Before the state doctoral exam, the student prepares a treatise on dissertation thesis, which describes in detail the goals of the thesis, a thorough evaluation of the state of knowledge in the area of the dissertation solved, or the characterization of the methods intended to apply in the solution.
The defense of treatise on dissertation thesis, which is reviewed, is part of the state doctoral exam. In the next part of the exam the student must demonstrate deep theoretical and practical knowledge in the field of electrical engineering, electromagnetic field, circuit theory, methods of measuring electrical and other physical quantities, processing and analysis of signals and mathematical modeling of technical processes. The state doctoral exam has a form of oral presentation and discussion on the treatise on dissertation thesis. In addition, it also includes a discussion on issues of thematic areas related to obligatory and obligatory elective courses.
The doctoral student can apply for the defense of dissertation thesis after passing the state doctoral exam and after fulfilling conditions for termination of the study, such as participation in teaching; scientific and expert activity (creative activity) and at least a monthly study or work internship at a foreign institution or participation in an international creative project.

The doctoral studies of a student follow the Individual Study Plan (ISP), which is defined by the supervisor and the student at the beginning of the study period. The ISP is obligatory for the student, and specifies all duties being consistent with the Study and Examination Rules of BUT, which the student must successfully fulfill by the end of the study period. The duties are distributed throughout the whole study period, scored by credits/points and checked in defined dates. The current point evaluation of all activities of the student is summarized in the “Total point rating of doctoral student” document and is part of the ISP. At the beginning of the next study year the supervisor highlights eventual changes in ISP. By October, 15 of each study year the student submits the printed and signed ISP to Science Department of the faculty to check and archive.
Within the first four semesters the student passes the exams of compulsory, optional-specialized and/or optional-general courses to fulfill the score limit in Study area, and concurrently the student significantly deals with the study and analysis of the knowledge specific for the field defined by the dissertation thesis theme and also continuously deals with publishing these observations and own results. In the follow-up semesters the student focuses already more to the research and development that is linked to the dissertation thesis topic and to publishing the reached results and compilation of the dissertation thesis.
By the end of the second year of studies the student passes the Doctor State Exam, where the student proves the wide overview and deep knowledge in the field linked to the dissertation thesis topic. The student must apply for this exam by April, 30 in the second year of studies. Before the Doctor State Exam the student must successfully pass the exam from English language course.
In the third and fourth year of studies the student deals with the required research activities, publishes the reached results and compiles the dissertation thesis. As part of the study duties is also completing a study period at an abroad institution or participation on an international research project with results being published or presented in abroad or another form of direct participation of the student on an international cooperation activity, which must be proved by the date of submitting the dissertation thesis.
By the end of the winter term in the fourth year of study students submit the elaborated dissertation thesis to the supervisor, who scores this elaborate. The final dissertation thesis is expected to be submitted by the student by the end of the fourth year of the studies.
In full-time study form, during the study period the student is obliged to pass a pedagogical practice, i.e. participate in the education process. The participation of the student in the pedagogical activities is part of his/her research preparations. By the pedagogical practice the student gains experience in passing the knowledge and improves the presentation skills. The pedagogical practice load (exercises, laboratories, project supervision etc.) of the student is specified by the head of the department based on the agreement with the student’s supervisor. The duty of pedagogical practice does not apply to students-payers and combined study program students. The involvement of the student in the education process within the pedagogical practice is confirmed by the supervisor in the Information System of the university.

1. Advanced flight planning methods for unmanned aerial vehicles

   The purpose of the dissertation will be the analysis and application of advanced methods for unmanned aircraft flight and their application to flight path planning. Typical usage scenarios will be analyzed and current flight path planning methods will be proposed to own or optimize various aspects of their operations. Based on the research, metaheuristic algorithms such as genetic algorithms, swarm intelligence, evolutionary strategies and others will be proposed and tested. As part of the research, a software solution capable of optimizing UAV swarm trajectories will be developed. The functionality of the proposed solution will be verified in a simulation environment and will also be tested on physical UAVs. The results of the dissertation will be not only a theoretical analysis of the selected optimization approaches, but also a practical implementation of an efficient trajectory planner for autonomous UAV swarm operations.

   Tutor: Janoušek Jiří, Ing., Ph.D.

2. Advanced methods of radiofrequency detection of partial discharges

   One of the key problems of high-power high-voltage transformers is the existence of partial discharges PD in their dielectric oil filling. Radiofrequency methods may provide an efficient tool for observing the PD activity. The possibility of PD-radiated UHF electromagnetic (EM) signal detection is crucial for successful methods application. This signal has a relatively low magnitude and its occurrence is accompanied by a strong impulse-like interference from other discharge processes. On the other side, the PD signal dispose with specific time and frequency properties, which can be utilized for its reliable detection and evaluation. The theme of the Ph.D. study is focused on the research of new approach to PD-radiated EM signals detection utilizing signal’s specific time and frequency properties. The goal is to deepen the knowledge in the problematic of reliable detection and identification of PD activity and increasing the reliability of the high-power high-voltage transformers.

   Tutor: Drexler Petr, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

3. Detection and Tracking of Flying Objects

   This thesis focuses on the development of optimization and detection algorithms for tracking flying objects using artificial intelligence algorithms in real-time. The goal is to create advanced algorithms and their implementation in the field of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

   Tutor: Marcoň Petr, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

4. Implementation of new reconstruction methods for quantification of fat fraction in CSE-MRI

   The aim of this study topic is to master selected advanced reconstruction algorithms to address an advanced signal model and their application in the reconstruction of fat fraction from CSE-MRI (chemical shift encoded – MRI) data. The research will focus on existing advanced algorithms for fat fraction reconstruction and the implementation of new methods or combinations with existing approaches to improve the accuracy and speed of reconstruction. All measurements will be conducted on a preclinical 9.4T MRI animal device at UPT, AV ČR in Brno.

   Tutor: Kořínek Radim, Ing., Ph.D.

5. Mapping the Earth's Magnetic Field Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

   The aim of this dissertation is to systematically explore and analyze current methods for mapping the Earth's magnetic field using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The work will focus on new methods and approaches for mapping the Earth's magnetic field or materials and on the analysis of magnetic interferences caused by UAVs. The practical part of the dissertation will involve the design and implementation of experiments with UAVs equipped with magnetometers, aimed at verifying the accuracy and reliability of the measured data and proposing recommendations for optimizing measurement procedures. The results of this work will contribute to a better understanding and more efficient use of UAVs in the field of Earth's magnetic field mapping.

   Tutor: Marcoň Petr, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

6. Research of properties and applications of noise electromagnetic fields

   Measuring and diagnostic methods based on the interaction of radiated electromagnetic (EM) field with test objects are currently mature and widely used technology. However, the vast majority of systems based on such approach use the concept of generating and evaluating EM fields with certain defined or swept frequency. In this case, it is necessary to take into account the possibility of reactive coupling of the measured object and the measuring device in the near field, which can detriorate the measurement. Conversely, if broadband stochastic signals (noise signals) were used for diagnostics, these problematic coupling could be suppressed. The topic of the study is focused on the research of the use of the concept of diagnostic of materials and electromagnetic structures by the noise field, especially in radiofrequency and microwave domain, its development and experimental verification.

   Tutor: Drexler Petr, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

7. Semi-analytical solution methods of fractional differential equations

   The aim of the dissertation thesis is a proposal of a numerical semi-analytical method which will be based on Adomian decomposition method and integral transformations to solving initial value problems for fractional systems of differential equations with emphasis on analysis of fractional transfer functions and their impulse characteristics. Convergence analysis of the proposed method will be investigated as well.

   Tutor: Šmarda Zdeněk, doc. RNDr., CSc.