José Carlos dos Santos Alves

I got my graduation in Electrical and Computer Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto in 1985. Since then, I was admitted as a teaching assistant in the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto and, at the same time, I entered in the recently created INESC in Porto. In the first years I have developed work in the areas of Operational Research, Computer Graphics and Microelectronics, the topic of my final graduation project. For several years I was with the group CAD & Microelectronics at INESC and more recently I joined the Center of Robotic and Autonomous Systems, where I have collaborated in the design and development of marine robotic systems, in particular high autonomy unmanned marine vehicles.

I concluded my PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering in 1998, in the area of the design and development of custom computing systems. Presently I am Associate Professor in the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto, where I have been teaching in the areas of advanced digital design for integrated technologies, digital microelectronics and electric circuit analysis. My main R&D area is on the design and implementation of custom computing systems in reconfigurable digital systems, currently supported by FPGA technology (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays).

Domains

Robotics and Autonomous Systems

Projects

GROW

The GROW project aims to develop a novel solution for timely long-range, high bitrate underwater wireless communications. The solution combines short-range wireless technologies (e.g., radio, wireless optical), intermediate AUVs as data mules, and long-range acoustic communications; the latter are used to control in real-time the range, bitrate, and latency of a data link between the AUV and the central station. A multidisciplinary research team is involved in GROW: the team from INESC TEC, with long experience in wireless networks and robotics, including the development of AUVs and navigation algorithms for marine robots; the team from IPMA, with vast know-how in marine geosciences, hazards characterization, and experience in marine observation and monitoring.

Long-range broadband underwater wireless communications

INTENDU

Integrated Technologies Longterm Deployment of Robotic Underwater platforms

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Publications

Message from the general chairs

Matos, JS;Alves, JC;

2015

Proceedings - 41st Euromicro Conference on Software Engineering and Advanced Applications, SEAA 2015

Message from the General Chairs

Matos, JS;Alves, JC;

2015

Proceedings - 18th Euromicro Conference on Digital System Design, DSD 2015

Single Receiver Underwater Localization of an Unsynchronized Periodic Acoustic Beacon Using Synthetic Baseline

Ferreira, BM;Graça, PA;Alves, JC;Cruz, NA;

2023

IEEE JOURNAL OF OCEANIC ENGINEERING

Sensor Placement in an Irregular 3D Surface for Improving Localization Accuracy Using a Multi-Objective Memetic Algorithm

Graca, PA;Alves, JC;Ferreira, BM;

2023

SENSORS

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Centres

Robotics and Autonomous Systems

The Centre for Robotics and Autonomous Systems (CRAS) focuses on developing innovative robotic solutions for operation in complex environments. Each day, our researchers strive to map the unknown, creating solutions to explore the oceans’ depths, monitor the environment, or inspect infrastructures. Our goal? To become a global reference in robotics and autonomous systems, combining expertise in multisensory perception and 3D modelling, navigation and control, robotic manipulation and intervention - pushing the boundaries of autonomous robotics and integrating aerial, ground, and underwater robots into our solutions. Focusing on Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) between 5 and 8, CRAS develops prototypes and operational solutions for strategic sectors. Our laboratory infrastructure includes test tanks, prototyping workshops, and a wide range of equipment ready to operate in real-world environments. Our researchers also resort to Mar Profundo, a support vessel for testing and validating innovative maritime technologies - a key asset in bridging theoretical design and field validation. CRAS stands out for a practical approach: we combine advanced research with a strong focus on real-world applications, reducing human risk in hazardous missions, optimising operations and processes, and expanding the frontiers of autonomous robotics.