David Loker

Chair (sabbatical) of Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology; Associate Professor of Engineering

Office Location:

Burke 171

Phone:

(814) 898 6478

Email:

drl3@psu.edu

Profile

Biography

Mr. David Loker is an associate professor in the Electrical and Computer Engineering department and has been a faculty member since 1988. He was appointed chair of Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology in May 2007. His teaching focus is in communications, instrumentation, and measurements. He has published over 30 journal and conference proceedings on his research in communications, instrumentation, and teaching methodologies. Mr. Loker has also been active in student recruiting and served on numerous committees for the School and College.

Mr. Loker received his B.E.E. in Electrical Engineering from Gannon University in 1984 and his M.S.E.E. in Electrical Engineering from Syracuse University in 1986. Prior to his teaching career he worked for the Aerospace Electronics Systems Department AESD at General Electric. Mr. Loker is a licensed professional engineering in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers IEEE .

Teaching

Courses for Spring 2012

Wireless Communication Systems
ECET Projects

Courses taught

Networking
Electrical Circuits
Electrical Circuits Lab
Linear and Discrete Analysis
Communication Systems
Measurements and Instrumentation
Wireless Communication Systems
Senior Seminar
ECET Design Project

Recipient of teaching awards

Nominated, Penn State Behrend, Council of Fellows Excellence in Teaching Award, 2003.

Research

Research projects completed

Date: July-October 2010
Title: EOC/NAVSEA Radar Systems Project – Phase 1
Funding Source: Penn State Electro-Optic Center (EOC) & Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA)
Amount: $45,779.00
Role/Contribution: D. Loker [Principal Investigator], with T. Hemminger, R. Sprang, and J. Roth [Co-PI], and G. Schneggenburger [Project Advocate]

Date: January-August 2005
Title: MDEM Modeling
Funding Source: Eriez Magnetics, Applied Research and Design Center
Amount: $13,378
Role/Contribution (of all involved): R. Krahe, D. Loker, and S. Nelatury [Co-Investigators]

Date: October 1999-May 2000
Title: Implementation, Layout, and Prototype Construction of a DSP-Based LVDT Signal Conditioner
Funding Source: LORD Corporation and Penn State Electrical Design Center
Amount: $7,792
Role/Contribution: O. Fucik and D. Loker [Co-Principal Investigators]; R. Weissbach [Secondary Contributor]

Date: May 1999-August 1999
Title: LVDT Signal Conditioner
Funding Source: LORD Corporation and Penn State Electrical Design Center
Amount: $5,432
Role/Contribution: R. Ford, D. Loker, and R. Weissbach [Co-Principal Investigators]

LIST OF GRANTS AND CONTRACTS AWARDED FOR IMPROVEMENTS OF INSTRUCTION OR FOR TRAINING PROGRAMS WITH AN INDICATION OF THE CANDIDATE'S ROLE IN PREPARING AND ADMINISTERING THE GRANTS AND CONTRACTS

Date: 2008
Title: RFID Course Curriculum Enhancement
Funding Source: RFID Center of Excellence
Amount: $7,301
Role/Contribution (of all involved): D. Loker

LIST OF GRANTS FOR EQUIPMENT, FACILITIES, OR OTHER PURPOSES THAT DO NOT PROVIDE SALARY SUPPORT FOR FACULTY MEMBERS OR GRADUATE STUDENTS

Date: 2001
Title: Internet-Enabled Data Acquisition & Control (Equipment Grant)
Funding Source: Microchip Technology Inc.
Amount: $980
Role/Contribution (of all involved): D. Loker and K. Torres [Co-Principal Investigators]

Date: 1998
Title: Active Noise Cancellation System using 21061 SHARC EZ-KIT LITE DSP Board and Visual DSP (Software Grant)
Funding Source: Analog Devices
Amount: $2,000
Role/Contribution: D. Loker

Date: 1997
Title: Active Noise Cancellation System using the 21061 SHARC EZ-KIT LITE DSP board, (Equipment Grant)
Funding Source: Analog Devices
Amount: $1,400
Role/Contribution: D. Loker

Date: July 1, 1992-June 30, 1993
Title: Development of an Automated Measurement and Detection System for an Ultrasonic Periodontal Probe
Funding Source: Behrend Faculty Research Incentive Grant
Amount: $1,500
Role/Contribution (of all involved): D. Loker

New product development

Ultrasonic Periodontal Probe Instrumentation System - used for the diagnosis of periodontal disease. Clinically tested at Eastman Dental Center in Rochester, NY, for nine months.

Publications

Articles published in refereed journals

Ford, R., Weissbach, R., and Loker, D., “A novel DSP-based LVDT signal conditioner,” Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement, vol. 50, no. 3, pp. 768-773, 2001. [Co-author]

Loker, D., and Hagenbuch, K., “Ultrasonic periodontal diagnostic instrumentation system with clinical results,” Journal of the International Measurement Confederation, vol. 23, pp.125-129, 1998. [Co-author]

Loker, D., “PC based applications in analog communication system design,” Journal of Computers in Education Division of American Society for Engineering Education, vol. 3, no. 3, pp. 6-11, 1993.

Loker, D., “Communication system simulation with tess,” Journal of Computers in Education Division of American Society for Engineering Education, vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 74-76, 1992.

Abbas F., and Loker, D., “Digital computer based nonlinear complex control systems,” Journal of Computers in Education Division of American Society for Engineering Education, vol. 1, no. 3, pp. 31-33, 1991. [Co-author]

Articles published in refereed proceedings

Loker, D. R., Wu, Y., Voss, M. A., Roth, J. T., and Strom, S. A.,“Wireless Nerve Positional Control of Prosthetic Device,” Proceedings, ASME 2011 International Mechanical Engineering Congress & Exposition, IMECE2011-63891.pdf, 6 pp., Denver, CO, November 2011.

Sowles, R., Suen, D., Loker, D., and Roth, J., “Transmissibility of 802.15.1 - Compliant Radio in Machining Enclosures in Industrial Environments,” Proceedings, ASME 2010 International Manufacturing Science and Engineering Conference, SYMP 15, MSEC2010-34192.pdf, 9 pp., Erie, PA, 2010.

Morris, P., Canino, V., Abdalla, A., Budziszewski, K., Loker, D., Wu, Y., Roth, J., and Voss, M., “Nerve Control of Artificial Limb – Feasibility Study,” ASME 2010 International Manufacturing Science and Engineering Conference, Erie, PA, October 14, 2010.

Loker, D. “Elevator Control System Project,” Proceedings, American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference, Session 1559, 847_ELEVATOR_CONTROL_SYSTEM_PROJECT.pdf on CD-ROM, 10 pp., Louisville, KY, 2010.

Wang, W.-L., Loker, D., and Tang, M.-H., "A Swarm Intelligent Sudoku Solver," Artificial Neural Networks in Engineering (ANNIE’09), pp. 269-274, St. Louis, MO, November 3, 2009.

Loker, D., “Wireless sensor networks utilizing the IEEE 802.15.4 standard in an ECET curriculum,” Proceedings of the Annual Meeting, American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference, Session 2148 (1311_WIRELESS_SENSOR_NETWORKS_UTILIZING_THE_I.pdf on CD-ROM), 12 pp., Pittsburgh, PA, 2008.

Loker, D. R., and Hemminger, T. L., “Simulation of neural network DTMF decoder,” Proceedings of the IASTED International Conference on Modelling and Simulation, Session 8 – Signal Processing and Intelligent Systems, File 567-133.pdf on CD-ROM, 6 pp., 2007.

Hemminger, T. L., Loker, D. R., and He, S., "A microcontroller-based neural network for DTMF decoding," Artificial Neural Networks in Engineering (ANNIE), vol. 17, pp. 555-560, 2007.

Loker, D. R., and Hemminger, T. L., “A neural network based DTMF decoder,” Proceedings of the Artificial Neural Network in Engineering Conference (ANNIE 2006), vol. 16, pp. 335-340, November 2006.

Hemminger, T. L., Loker, D. R., and Pomalaza-Raez, C. A., “A neural method for identifying transmission source locations,” Proceedings of the 17th Annual IEEE International Symposium on Personal, Indoor and Mobile Radio Communication (PIMRC’06), Session TA4-4, (published on CD, DOI: 10.1109/PIMRC.2006.254049), 5 pp., 2006.

Hemminger, T. L., Loker, D. R., and Pomalaza-Raez, C. A., “A new method to determine transmitter localization using neural networks,” Artificial Neural Networks in Engineering, vol. 13, 2005.

Loker, D., Frampton, C., McElhaney, T., Mook, J., and Sansone, A., “Remote data acquisition using Bluetooth,” Proceedings of the Annual Meeting, American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference, session 2147, file 2005-114_Final.PDF on CD-ROM, 16 pp., 2005.

Loker, D., Krahe, R., Kirsch, J., Yowonske, T., Cunningham, R., and Petrovich, J., “Remote sensing with GPS sensor and cellular modem,” Proceedings of the Annual Meeting, American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference, session 1649, file 2004-1672_Final.PDF on CD-ROM, 15 pp., 2004.

Loker, D., and Krahe, R., “Visual C++ applications in an EET curriculum,” Proceedings of the Annual Meeting, American Society for Engineering Education, session 2648, file 1224.PDF on CD-ROM, 3 pp., 2003.

Loker, D., and Weissbach, R., “Simulation of DTMF encoder and decoder using LabVIEW,” Proceedings of the International Association of Science and Technology for Development, International Conference on Modeling and Simulation, pp. 362-366, 2002.

Loker, D., “DTMF encoder and decoder using LabVIEW,” Proceedings of the Annual Meeting, American Society for Engineering Education, session 2559, file 1152.PDF on CD-ROM, 10 pp., 2002.

Fucik, O., Zemcik, P., Loker, D., Ford, R., and Weissbach, R., “A flexible DSP hardware platform for LVDT signal conditioning,” Proceedings of the Electromotion 2001 Conference, pp. 183 -188, 2001.

Loker, D., “Remote data acquisition using LabVIEW,” Proceedings of the Annual Meeting, American Society for Engineering Education, session 2259, file 00859.PDF on CD-ROM, 7 pp., 2001.

Torres, K., Loker, D., and Weissbach, R., “Introducing 9-12 grade students to electrical engineering technology through hands-on laboratory experiences,” Proceedings of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Frontiers in Education Annual Conference, session F2E, file 1202.PDF, 5 pp., 2001.

Weissbach, R., Loker, D., and Ford, R., “Test and comparison of LVDT signal conditioner performance,” Proceedings of the 17th Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Instrumentation and Measurement Technology Conference, Baltimore, MD, pp. 1143-1146, 2000.

Ford, R., Weissbach, R., and Loker, D., “A DSP-based modified costas receiver for LVDT position sensors,” Proceedings of the 17th Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Instrumentation and Measurement Technology Conference, pp. 1448-1452, 2000.

Loker, D., “Performance evaluation of tonal feedback active noise cancellation systems using the filtered-X LMS algorithm,” Proceedings of the International Association of Science and Technology for Development, International Conference on Modeling and Simulation, Pittsburgh, PA, pp. 104-108, 1998.

Loker, D., “Using Simulink as a modeling tool for FM communications,” Proceedings of the International Association of Science and Technology for Development, International Conference on Modeling and Simulation, pp. 359-362, 1997.

Loker, D., and Russell, T., “Analog communications using infrared transmission,” Proceedings of the Annual Meeting, American Society for Engineering Education, reference file 154704.PDF on CD-ROM, 5 pp., 1996.

Loker, D., and Herbold, R., “Active filter design using switched capacitor circuits,” Proceedings of the Annual Meeting, American Society for Engineering Education, pp. 1483-1490, 1995.

Loker, D., and Hagenbuch, K., “Ultrasonic instrumentation system,” Proceedings of the International Conference on Reliability, Quality Control, and Risk Assessment, pp. 101-104, 1994.

Loker, D., “Amplitude limiters,” Proceedings of the International Society for Computers and Their Applications, pp. 85-88, 1993.

Loker, D., “Infrared data communication techniques,” Proceedings of the Annual Meeting, American Society for Engineering Education, pp. 1819-1825, 1993.

Loker, D., “Microstrip circuit design using puff,” Proceedings of the Annual Meeting, American Society for Engineering Education, pp. 1118-1124, 1993.

Loker, D., “Software simulation for mixed analog/digital circuit design,” Proceedings of the Annual Meeting, American Society for Engineering Education, pp. 740-744, 1992.

Loker, D., “PC based applications in analog communication system design,” Proceedings of the Annual Meeting, American Society for Engineering Education, pp. 617-622, 1992. (selected for refereed journal)

Loker, D., “Computer-aided-design of broadband microwave circuits,” Proceedings of the Third International Symposium on Recent Advances in Microwave Technology, pp. 78-81, 1991.

Abbas F., and Loker, D., “Digital computer based nonlinear complex control systems,” Proceedings of the Annual Meeting, American Society for Engineering Education, pp. 961-964, 1990. (selected for refereed journal)

Articles published in non-refereed proceedings

Loker, D., “Electronic temperature controller,” Proceedings of the North Central Section Annual Spring Meeting, American Society for Engineering Education, pp. A1.3-A1.7, 1994.

Loker, D., “Remote data acquisition system,” The Ohio Journal of Science, pp. 26, 1993.

Loker, D., and Krahe, R., “Instrumentation systems with data acquisition boards,” Proceedings of the North Central Section Annual Spring Meeting, American Society for Engineering Education, pp. 2D-18 to 2D-23, 1993.

Loker, D., “Laboratory experiments in a digital communication systems course,” Proceedings of the North Central Section Annual Spring Meeting, American Society for Engineering Education, pp. 1B-11 to 1B-14, 1992.

Loker, D., “Signal detection in the presence of noise with amplitude limiters,” Proceedings of Frontiers in Education, pp. 848, 1992.

Loker, D., and Fadul, F., “Microprocessor based projects in circuit protection and signal detection,” Proceedings of the Annual Conference on Modeling and Simulation, pp. 1157-1163, 1992.

Loker, D., and Krahe, R., “PC usage in a communications systems course,” Proceedings of the North Central Section Annual Spring Meeting, American Society for Engineering Education, pp. 60-64, 1991.

Loker, D., and Abbas, F., “PSpice as a transmission line filter simulator,” Proceedings of the North Central Section Annual Spring Meeting, American Society for Engineering Education, pp. 42-50, 1990.

Loker, D., and Abbas, F., “ACSL versus analog computer based control systems,” Proceedings of the North Central Section Annual Spring Meeting, American Society for Engineering Education, pp. 54-60, 1989.

Service

Journal editor

Area Editor of Part 10, “Measurements and Instrumentation,” Wiley Handbook of Applied Electrical Engineering, IEEE Press, 2003-2004.

Service to government agencies

Ben Franklin Technology Center of Western Pennsylvania, Challenge Fund Proposal Technology Evaluation, Sensor-amplifier Integrated Circuit Development, Proposal #1999W.CC00689R-1, June 1999.

Service to public and private organizations

Participated, Millcreek Township School District, Science Advisory Council, member, 2004.
Participated, Erie County Vo-tech, Electronics Program, member, 2004.
Attended, Erie County Vo-Tech, Electronics Lab Committee meeting to discuss their curriculum, 2001.

Organizing conferences, service on conference committees

Artifical Neural Networks in Engineering Conference

Session Chair, Pattern Recognition IV, St. Louis, MO, November 7, 2006.

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