Prof. Xiaoji Niu | Sensor Fusion Awards | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Xiaoji Niu, Wuhan University, China

Dr. Xiaoji Niu is a distinguished professor at the GNSS Research Center of Wuhan University, where he has been leading a team of approximately 20 researchers since March 2010. His expertise lies in integrated navigation systems, particularly in the integration of Inertial Navigation Systems (INS) with Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). Dr. Niu has been pivotal in advancing deep integration technology for high-precision GNSS/INS systems, aimed at enhancing Position and Orientation Systems (POS) for mobile mapping applications. Prior to his current role, he served as a senior scientist at Shanghai SiRF Technology Co., Ltd., where he spearheaded research and development on dead-reckoning technology and played a key role in the production release of inertial-aided GPS firmware. Dr. Niu’s academic foundation includes a Ph.D. in Navigation and Control from Tsinghua University, where he focused on micromachined attitude measurement units for satellite TV antenna stabilization, and a B.Sc. with honors in Mechanical Engineering. His contributions to the field are recognized internationally, underscoring his commitment to advancing navigation technologies.

Professional Profile:

SCOPUS

Research for Best Researcher Award:

Professor Xiaoji Niu, currently at the GNSS Research Center of Wuhan University, is a highly accomplished researcher with a notable record in navigation and integrated systems. His extensive experience and impressive contributions to the field make him a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

Education

Ph.D. in Navigation and Control
Institution: Tsinghua University, China
Department: Department of Precision Instruments
Duration: Sep 1997 – Dec 2002
Dissertation: “Micromachined Attitude Measurement Unit with Application in Satellite TV Antenna Stabilization”
Supervisor: Prof. Zhongyu Gao
B.Sc. (with Honors)
Institution: Tsinghua University, China
Departments:
- Department of Precision Instruments (Mechanical Engineering, Major)
- Department of Automation (Electrical Engineering, Minor)
  Duration: Sep 1992 – Jul 1997

Work Experience

Professor
Institution: GNSS Research Center, Wuhan University
Duration: Mar 2010 – Present
Responsibilities:
- Leading a team of approximately 20 researchers, including 2 postdoctoral researchers.
- Research on Integrated Navigation Systems (INS and GNSS/INS integration).
- Deep integration technology for GNSS/INS.
- Commercializing high-precision GNSS/INS integration techniques for Position and Orientation Systems (POS) for Mobile Mapping Systems (MMS).
- Developing compact and low-cost MEMS INS for land vehicles and UAV applications.
Senior Scientist
Institution: Shanghai SiRF Technology Co., Ltd
Department: Advanced Technologies Dept.
Duration: Feb 2007 – Feb 2010
Responsibilities:
- Leading R&D on Dead-Reckoning (DR) technology, including inertial-aided GPS.
- Technical lead for DR production projects.
- Started production release of DR firmware in Q2 2008; released to three customers with shipments of over 500k chips, leading to product shipments by two customers.
Research Scientist
Institution: The University of Calgary, Canada
Department: Mobile Multi-Sensor System (MMSS) Research Group
Duration: Oct 2005 – Feb 2007
Responsibilities:
- Led projects including:
  - Intermap Project (2006-2007): “Assessment of the Intermap Navigation Software and Hardware” (funded by Intermap Technologies Inc.).
  - SiRF Project – Phase II (2005-2006): “Inertial Aided GPS (Phase II)” (funded by SiRF Technology Inc.).
    Supervisor: Dr. Naser El-Sheimy
Postdoctoral Fellow
Institution: The University of Calgary, Canada
Department: Mobile Multi-Sensor System (MMSS) Research Group
Duration: Feb 2003 – Sep 2005
Responsibilities:
- Led projects including:
  - SiRF Project – Phase I (2005): “Inertial Aided GPS (Phase I)” (funded by SiRF Technology Inc.).
  - MEMS Project (2003-2005): “Next Generation MEMS-Based Navigation System for Vehicles and Personal Location and Navigation” (funded by GEOIDE, Network Center of Excellence).
    Supervisor: Dr. Naser El-Sheimy

Publication top Notes:

Multi-level information fusion enhanced by scene constraint: Key to improve autonomous positioning accuracy in urban underground pipeline using MEMS inertial sensors

Onboard multi-source fusion train positioning method based on railway track irregularity matching

INS-Aided GNSS Pseudo-Range Error Prediction Using Machine Learning for Urban Vehicle Navigation

RANSAC-Based Fault Detection and Exclusion Algorithm for Single-Difference Tightly Coupled GNSS/INS Integration

An Iterative Method for the Distance Constraints in a Multi-Sensor Positioning System

Dr.Reza Askari Moghadam, Sorbonne Université, France

Reza Askari Moghadam is a distinguished academic and researcher currently serving as a Lecturer at Sorbonne Université in Paris, France, specializing in electronics and mechatronics. He holds a Ph.D. in Electronics from the Islamic Azad University (IUST), where he conducted innovative research on intelligent fault detection in RF MEMS, funded by the Iranian Telecommunications Research Center. With over a decade of experience as a Tenured Lecturer at the University of Tehran, Reza has significantly contributed to the fields of sensors, actuators, microfluidics, and artificial intelligence. His extensive teaching background encompasses more than 4,600 hours of instruction across various degree programs, from bachelor’s to doctoral levels. Reza’s research output includes 58 articles in international journals and 59 conference papers, highlighting his active engagement in advancing knowledge in his field. He has also participated in multiple collaborations and projects in Europe, further enriching his academic portfolio. In addition to his research and teaching, he possesses a robust skill set in various software tools, including Python, MATLAB, and COMSOL, which support his ongoing contributions to engineering and technology.

Summary of Suitability for Best Researcher Award:

Reza Askari Moghadam is an accomplished academic and researcher in the field of Electronics and Engineering, with a solid track record of teaching, research, and publication. His diverse experiences, educational background, and substantial contributions to the field make him a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

Education

Ph.D. in Electronics

Institution: Islamic Azad University (IUST), Tehran, Iran
Years: 2001 – 2007
Thesis: “Intelligent Detection of Faults in RF MEMS”
Funding: Iranian Telecommunications Research Center (ITRC)

Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering (Specialization: Control)

Institution: Islamic Azad University (IUST), Tehran, Iran
Years: 1998 – 2001
Thesis: “Design, Implementation, and Control of a Robotic Arm”
Funding: Electronics Research Center, IUST

Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering (Specialization: Electronics)

Institution: University of Petroleum Industry, Iran
Years: 1993 – 1998
Thesis: “Design and Implementation of an EEPROM Programmer”

Professional Experience

Lecturer

Institution: Campus Pierre et Marie Curie, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
Years: Sep. 2023 – Present

Temporary Teaching and Research Attaché (ATER)

Institution: Laboratoire Images, Signaux et Systèmes Intelligents (LISSI), UPEC, France
Years: Jan. 2022 – Sep. 2023
Notes: Contract renewed in September 2022

Tenured Lecturer

Institution: Department of “Mechatronics & MEMS”, Faculty of New Sciences and Technologies, University of Tehran (UT), Iran
Years: Sep. 2012 – Jan. 2022

Publication top Notes: