Dear Prof. ___________,
Please allow me to introduce myself. I am Kamal Kasthuriarachchi, a final year undergraduate student in Electrical Engineering at the University of moratuwa Colombo, Sri Lanka.
My fields of interest are Communication systems and Signal Processing. The urge to increase my knowledge of these two fields have made me opt for graduate studies. My goal is to do a Ph.D (with an intermediate M.S ). Being extremely impressed by the graduate program and the research going on at __________ university, I plan to apply for admission to the M.S rogram leading to a Ph.D for the term beginning Fall 97.
The reason I am writing to you is that I understand that you are actively involved in research in the fields of Communication Systems and Signal Processing. I am very interested in learning more about your research. I would consider it a great honour if you would give me the chance of assisting you as a research assistant.
Some of my noteworthy academic achievements / publications are
1) Won the 2nd prize in the all - ACC& IEEE student paper contest,
3) Placed 217 (top 0.5 %) out of more than 10,000 examinees in the GCE(A/L) (1993), an entrance test to gain admission to the prestigious Universit Of Moratuwa.
4) Have consistently been placed in the top bracket in my class. I am currently ranked eighth in a class of over 70 competitive students with a GPA of 8.81 / 10 (after 6 semesters).
My scores in the objective tests are
GRE General Test :
Analytical:780
( June 3, 1995)
Quantitative:760
Verbal:620
TOEFL and TWE :
TOEFL : 633 / 677.
( May 11, 1996)
TWE : 5.0 / 6.0.
I have included a brief summary of some of the projects
I have undertaken and also my resume'. I would be very grateful if
you could objectively evaluate my chances of securing admission with
financial aid at your prestigious university based on my qualifications.
I shall gladly furnish any further details required
.
I hope that my request does not impose on your valuable time.
Thanking you and eagerly awaiting your reply,
Yours sincerely,
Kamal Kasthuriarachchi
PROJECTS UNDERTAKEN
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1) Junior Year Homepaper:
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Topic : Spectral considerations in Modulation and Demodulation.
Guide : Dr. V.M. Ranathunge.
Abstract:
^^^^^^^^
In this paper , various
state of the art modulation techniques like GMSK (Gaussian-filtered
Mean Shift Keying), FQPSK (Filtered - QPSK), and DJ-FQPSK (Double
Jump Filtered - QPSK) were analysed and compared to the conventional
techniques like BPSK, QPSK and MSK. The focus during this study was
on the spectral properties of the modulation techniques like the
spectral efficiency, bandwidth ACI etc.
This paper was inspired
by the problems faced by the Giant Meterwave Radio Telescope (GMRT)
project, which is the world's largest radio telescope. The problem
was the spurious interference in the Radio Astronomy bands due to
the spectrally inefficient techniques being employed by the Low Earth
Orbiting satellites. This prompted a comparative analysis of the
available state of the art modulation techniques and formed the inspiration
for my junior home paper.
This work was continued with
a special focus on GMSK. The modulation technique was simulated using
the software PTOLEMY and its performance was evaluated. The resultant
paper won the second prize in the IEEE student paper contest.
2) Senior Home Paper:
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Topic : Array Signal Processing.
Guide : Dr. Harish Parthirage.
I am currently working on this paper.
Abstract:
^^^^^^^^
This project aims to look
at the issues involved in the processing of signals obtained from
an array of radar sources. Issues like noise cancellation and parameter
estimation would be addressed in the paper. The emphasis would be
on a rigorous theoretical analysis and this would finally be supported
by the required computer simulations.
OTHER PROJECTS
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1) Hardware implementation of Differential Pulse
coded modulation and
demodulation system .
2) Hardware project on the efficient generation of
Pseudo-Random numbers.
3) Computerization (using IEEE 488 conventions)
of an experiment used
to measure the voltage vs light
characteristic of an optical diode
using the software LabWindows
at the Society for Applied Microwave
Electronics and Engineering Research
(SAMEER).
DETAILS OF ACADEMIC RECORD
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
NAME : Kamal Kasthuriarachchi.
EMAIL ADDRESS
: kamal@yahoo.com
POSTAL ADDRESS :
225 School Lane
Wijerama
Nugegoda
EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:
| Examination/Degree | Institution | Year of graduation | Marks Obtained |
| Matriculation | Nalanda College
Colombo 8 |
1991 | 86.14 % |
| Higher Secondary | Nalanda College
Colombo 8 |
1993 | 89.00 % |
| B.scDegree in
Electrical Engineering |
University of Moratuwa
Moratuwa, |
1993-1997
(after 6 sems) 8th in a class of 70 students. |
Cum GPA 8.81/10 |
YEARS OF FORMAL
: 15 years.
STUDY OF ENGLISH
MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION
: English.
IN SCHOOL AND UNIVERSITY
ACADEMIC CREDENTIALS
: Please see the covering text.
TESTS TAKEN : GRE General Test taken on June 3 1995
FIELDS OF INTEREST :Communication systems,
Signal Processing.
PLAN OF STUDY: I wish to apply
for admission to
your University for fall 1997 for
a Ph.D (with an intermediate M.S)
in Electrical Engineering.
Name : Prasad Thilakasena
Email : prasad@ctc.lankacom.net
Address : 33 Dutugamunu St.
Colombo 6. Sri Lanka
GRE(Jun 95):
TOEFL score: 643 / 677 TWE : 5
CGPA (overall)
: (8.71 on a scale of 10.00) 3.48 / 4.00
CGPA in dept courses : 3.54 / 4.00
Fields of interest:
HIGHLIGHT : The original results in the project
above has been submitted for review to the CVPR
conference US Virgin Islands organised by
IEEE Computer Society.
ABSTRACT : This paper describes a multiresolution based approach, which
is
used to learn models of shapes and objects. Hidden Markov Models is
used
as a probabilistic model for the shape. The primary shape features
used
here is a polar coordinate representation of the object contour.
Multiresolution analysis of this feature set, is used to obtain feature
vectors which reflect the shape characteristics at various resolutions.
These derived feature vectors are used to train HMMs which then constitute
an abstraction of the shape. This approach has given very encouraging
results. The shape models so obtained are obtainable using a smaller
training set, are robust with respect to data perturbation and also
incorporate the ability to represent objects which have many degrees
of
freedom like human hand etc
3) Prof. H. Pathirage and myself are working in
the understanding of nonlinear systems, and also
studying their identification using Higher Order
Statistical Methods like cumulants and polyspectra.
and possibly their VLSI realization.The idea is
to
cut down on computational complexity by using
wavelet based approximations.
Projects Undertaken:
a) Wavelets: Development of a wavelet transform
based efficient synthesizer for various types
of signals ( like for e.g. with dominant glitches
etc)
b) Implementation of Wavelet based fault analysis
and data compression algorithm on the TMS320C25
DSP fixed point processor for real time processing
c) Realization of a Finite State Automaton using
TTL logic (Lab Project).
d) Implementation of a Digital Transmitter &
Reciever
with an Infrared link , the goal was to develop
the
circuitry using the fundamentals learned in the
Communication Systems course .
Courses relevant/related to field of interest :
Courses
Grade obtained
Electronic Devices A
Instrumentation
A
Signals & Systems A
Control Systems
A
Digital Circuits
B
Courses Iam currently enrolled in / or will be taking next
semester:
This semester:
Communication Systems (both theory and applications)
Digital Signal Processing
Communication Electronics
Spring 97 :
Information Theory & Coding , I.C Design & Technology
Digital Communications.
To
Prof.
Department of Electrical Engineering,
University of .
I am a student of the
Four Year B.Sc Program in University of Moratuwa, Colombo, currently in
my final year of the Undergraduate program in Electrical Engineering.
I will be applying
to the Department of Electrical engineering at your university for admission
to the Masters program leading to a doctoral degree commencing Fall 1997.
It is in this regard that I want to seek certain clarifications and advice
from you.I give below a brief description of my academic background and
my resume for your perusal. I would be greatly obliged if you could spare
me some time and go through the rest of the letter.
My field of interests are Computer
Vision, Signal/Image Processing. At present I am working on my Undergraduate
Thesis titled: "Deterministic Annealing and its application to computer
vision", under the guidance of Prof. U.B. Silva(John Hopkins). In this
project I have explored the deterministic annealing ptimization algorithm,
which was proposed by Prof K.Rose in his paper in information theory. After
generalizing the proposed hierarchical clustering algorithm, it has to
applied in the clustering of face images. It will also be modified so as
to apply it in the training of HMM(hidden Markov Model) in place of k-mean
algorithm. Thus we can study the effect of varying the no. of states on
the HMM. HMM thus trained can be used to recognize objects.
Further details of
other voluntary projects I was involved in are enlisted in my resume.
As you can see my field of interest greatly
overlaps with that of yours, I am highly motivated to work under your able
idance and also contribute to your group's research activities. I will
be greatly obliged if you consider me for working under you. But
due to unavoidable financial constraints, I shall have to fully depend
upon financial assistance from the department or from the
University. Please let me know my chances of receiving it.
To sum up, I would be glad if
you could :
1. Provide me a frank evaluation of my chances of securing admission
into a M.S. program leading to Doctoral degree Commencing Fall 1997.
2. Chances of securing financial assistanceship ( if possible under
you ) for my study .
I will be extremely happy
if you reply to my queries and will be only too glad to provide any additional
information you might require.
My e-mail address is: samitha@hotmail.com
Thanking you for taking out
your valuable time and sincerely hoping
to hear from you soon.
yours sincerely
Samitha Wijesinghe
___________________________________________________________________________
RESUME
NAME: Samitha C.Wijesinghe
SEX: MALE
NATIONALITY: Sri Lankan
MAILING ADDRESS: 80 Thammita
Makewita
Ja-Ela
E-MAIL: samitha@hotmail.com
UNDERGRADUATE
INSTITUTION: University Of Moratuwa
DEPARTMENT: ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
OBJECTIVE: I would like to pursue a M.S degree leading to a Ph.D
in your university with a specialization in the field
of COMPUTER VISION, SIGNAL/IMAGE PROCESSING.
My academic performance
has been excellent throughout my period of study.
My undergraduate GPA(converted to a scale of 4)is given below:
OVERALL UNDER GRADUATE GPA: 3.73/4 (9.00/10)
MAJOR GPA: 3.8/4
RANK: 4th in a class of 65.
First in the field of Computer Vision.
Third in Signal/Image Processing.
GRE(general) : 2160/2400
VERBAL: 610
86.25 percentile
QUANTITATIVE: 790 96.25 "
ANALYTICAL: 760 95
"
AWARDS and SCHOLARSHIPS:
* Recipient of National Talent Search Scholarship, Sri Lanka.
* Selected in Regional Mathematic Olympiad, UP conducted with
an ultimate
aim to select students for International Mathematics Olympiad.
Other voluntary projects I have been involved in:
1) May-July 1995:
Worked under Prof. M Govin
in a project that involved
analysing the dxf (ascii) file of autocad and understanding the gerber
format for PCB design. Finally a software was written that reads dxf
file
and gives output in gerber format.
2)July-November 1995:
Presented a home review
paper under the guidance of Prof. P.G.
Pathirage on "fuzzy logic:If-Then Rules,Analysis and Applications".
An attempt
was made to understand fuzzy logic as qualitative generalization of
Boolian
logic. Then an comprehensive literature survey on its application
in fuzzy
contol and other systems was done to explain how the logic actually
works.
3)July 1996 - :
I am currently doing my
Electronic Design Project in digital
signal processing. In this project, I am trying to develop a linear
phase
digital graphic audio equalizer using TI DSP TMS C5X so that a real
time application is possible.
4)July 1996 - :
My B.Tech Project is on "Deterministic Annealing
and its application
to Computer Vision" , details of which I have already mentioned.
To
Dr. ,
Department of Electrical ,
University .
Dear Sir,
Kindly allow me to
introduce myself, Lasantha Samarathunge, a student of final
year B.Sc program in Electrical engineering, University Of peradeniya,
Kandy.
I will be graduating in July'97 and I wish to apply to the
doctoral program or the Masters' program leading to the doctoral degree
commencing Fall'97, at your university.
The areas in which I would like to pursue graduate
studies are SIGNAL/IMAGE PROCESSING(including wavelets and their applications)
and COMMUNICATIONS.
My resume, alongwith a list of courses done by me which
I deem relevant for my further studies ,my project work and my research
work
is attached below for your kind perusal. In a nutshell,I am ranked
second
in a class of sixtyfive students and I am first in the area of signal/image
processing and communications with a grade point average of 9.40/10
(equivalent to 3.90/4).
My B.Tech project (undergradate thesis) titled "MULTIRESOLTION/
WAVELET ANALYSIS FOR STOCHASTIC PROCESSES",has introduced me to the
field of
wavelets ;their theory and applications and the analysis of random
phenomena.
(It is briefly described in my resume). With a view to broaden my
perspective, I have attended a lecture series on wavelets, filters
banks,
and subband coding.
As my personal financial
resources are limited, I will be applying
for full aid from your university, if accepted, in the form of
a scholarship,
fellowship, research/teaching assistantship etc. Your approval for
such
scholarship would greatly help.
I would be extremely thankful if you could make a candid
assessment of my chances of obtaining financial aid from your department/
university. If possible, kindly also evaluate my chances of securing
a
research assistantship under you.
I would be glad to send you any other
information and welcome any suggestion you may like to offer.
Thank you for taking out time to read
this mail, and awaiting eagerly your reply, via e-mail to:
nalinls@usa.net
Yours truly,
Lasantha Samarathunge
******************************************************************************
RESUME
******************************************************************************
Name : Lasantha
Samarathunge
Address : 33 Mulleriyawa Rd,
Angoda, Srilanka
Nationality : Sri Lankan
Sex :
Male
Email : nalinls@usa.net
ACADEMIC RECORD
. Was among the top 0.1% of more than 200,000 candidates in
Mathematics
in AISSCE-1993.
. Secured admission to Univerisity of Moratuwa, the premier
center for engineering education in Sri Lanka, with
a rank of 358 out of
about 10,000 students.
. Record at University of Moratuwa : At present ranked SECOND
in a class of 65 students
with a GPA of 9.40/10 (3.90/4) and a major GPA of
9.50/10(3.94/4).
. G.R.E. Dated: April 13th, 1996.
Score:2220.
Verbal: 690 Analytical:760 Quantitative:770
. TOEFL ,TWE & TSE : Scores not known.
Date:October 26th,1996.
FIELD OF INTEREST : Image and Signal Processing, Communications,
SOFTWARE EXPERIENCE
Languages
: C, Fortran, X-Windows.
Operating Systems : UNIX, DOS. Have worked on the 486
& Silicon Graphics
Workstations.
Packages
: Matlab, Latex, Circuit Maker, Grapher, Chiwriter.
:RESEARCH EXPERIENCE:
HOME PAPER: "STUDY OF ASYNCHRONOUS TRANSFER MODE DATA NETWORKS"
(Duration:1st August '95 to 2nd November '95)
under the guidance of Prof. P.G. Pathirage
In this paper I covered issues such as the various parameters affecting
the performance of an ATM network i.e. jitter and cell loss probability,
network management and control especially call admission and policing
schemes ( alongwith the proposed algorithms).
B-Sc PROJECT: "MULTIRESOLUTION/WAVELET ANALYSIS OF STOCHASTIC PROCESSES"
(Duration:15th June '96 onwards)
under the guidance of Prof. U.B. Dillip
In this project we are exploring the possibility of representing general
non-stationary processes by a wavelet based expansion with random
coefficients. The decomposition of incrementally stationary,self similar
processes using a wavelet based expansion has been studied.Having established
that L2-[0,T] (which has a wavelet basis) is congruent to an RKHS-[0,T](RKHS-
reproducing kernel hilbert space of an autocorrelation function), we
are
now considering how this structure could be exploited to obtain a wavelet
based expansion of the corresponding process.
SUMMER PROJECT:
1): DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A DATA ACQUISITION CARD FOR
A PC.
2): DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A DIGITAL WEIGHING MACHINE
USING AN LVDT.
(Duration: 1st May '95 to 1st July '95)
under the guidance of Dr.P.C.Pady and Dr.T.Anura.
PRACTICAL TRAINING : Television assembly and repair;study of
the TV
picture tube manufacture process.
(Duration: 2nd May '96 to 1st July '96)
(at Ceylinco Electronics & Tel. Sri Lanka)
COURSE PROJECTS :
1):Design and implementation of a PERSON COUNTER as a
part of the Digital circuits laboratory.
(Duration: 20th March '95 to 10th April '95.)
under the supervision of Dr.V.M.Gamunu and
Dr.C.D.Thilakaratne.
2):Development of a line editor for microproccesor 8085
(Duration: 20th October '95 to 5th November '95.)
under the supervision of Prof. D.K.Shriyani.
ELECTRONIC DESIGN PROJECT :
Implementation of a real time DIGITAL AUDIO
GRAPHIC EQUALIZER with phaselinear FIR filtering
using Texas Instrument DSP chip TMS32050C .
(Duration:30th July '96 to 1st November '96)
under the supervision of Prof. V.M.Gamunu.
COURSE STRUCTURE:(this list does not include all the courses)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
No: Course Name:
Grade obtained:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1: DIFFERENTIAL & INTEGRAL CALCULUS:
A
2: COMPUTER PROGRAMMING AND
A
UTILISATION:
3: VECTOR CALCULUS & LINEAR ALGEBRA:
A
4: MATHEMATICS III(differential equations
A
power series methods for their soln.,
sequences and series)
5: COMPLEX ANALYSIS AND PARTIAL
A
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS:
6: NETWORK THEORY:
A
7: SIGNALS AND SYSTEMS:
B
8: CONTROL SYSTEMS:(frequency domain
A
techniques and the state space
approach)
9: COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS:
A
10: INTRODUCTION TO DSP:
present semester course; in
semester evaluation available
(second highest in class).
11: COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS THEORY: present semester
course
12: DIGITAL COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS: next semester
course
13: INFORMATION THEORY and CODING: next semester
course.
*****************************************************************************