Renee Wrysinski | Academic Projects

Autonomous Path-Following Toy Car — In the spring of 2025, for a Mobile and Embedded Systems class, I worked in a group to implement computer vision on a Raspberry Pi to control a modified RC car to stop at checkpoints and stay within a defined track. Additionally, we implemented a speed controller using an optical encoder to ensure the car drove at an adequate speed so it completed the track safely and in a reasonable time. You can read more about our project here.

Interactive LED Fish Tank — In the spring of 2025, for an Implementation of Digital Systems class, I implemented a desktop fish tank on a 16x16 LED array with an MSPM0-based closed-loop embedded system. I designed a finite state machine to control fish behavior, allowing for feeding, rest, and gameplay. Additionally, I created a library of custom functions to control the LED grid via SPI and simplify our main function. You can read more about the project here.

Wireless Egg Data Logger — Throughout the 2023-2024 academic year, I worked to create a wireless egg data logger for conservation of endangered birds for the Houston Zoo. For this project, I created a circuit utilizing a 9-DOF IMU, temperature & humidity sensor, and ESP32 MCU to transmit data to a Raspberry Pi dashboard, and also designed a custom PCB for this circuit. You can view our poster here!

Snake ASIC — In the spring of 2025, for a VLSI Systems Design class, I worked to create an ASIC to implement the classic snake game. My group designed a two-phase FSM and datapath in Verilog, verified modules with QuestaSim, integrated units, synthesized 0.5 μm logic with Design Compiler, and acheived timing closure. Finally, we placed and routed the design in Cadence Innovus, then exported for physical layout integration and final simulation in Magic and IRSIM.

Single Cycle 16-Bit Processor — In the fall of 2023, for a Digital Logic Design class, I developed a single-cycle 16-bit processor in Verilog supporting arithmetic and logic instructions. Additionally, I integrated I/O via switches and buttons to execute custom assembly instruction sequences. After writing the code, I simulated and verified its functionality using Vivado, then programmed it onto a Real Digital Boolean Board.

ENGI 210 Class Projects — In Spring 2023, I took ENGI 210: Prototyping and Fabrication. In this course, we learned to use many of the machines in the Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen, such as the 3D printers, laser cutter, water jet cutter, and CNC mill through a series of multi-week projects. You can view some of my completed projects here.

Water Leak Sensing Device — In the fall of 2022, I worked on a project team to create a water leak sensing device for the Rice Office of Sustainability. Our final product utilized non-invasive analog sensors, an Arduino, and an ESP8266 to detect abnormal levels of water flow and send email notifications to alert staff to these conditions.