STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Master of Science in Electrical Engineering Hochschule

Darmstadt
If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where
they should be. Now put the foundations under them. - Henry David Thoreau
My academic career has proceeded in the best possible way so far. Science and
Mathematics were my favorite subjects in school and I used to spend my time in
understanding the basic principles of these subjects. I enthusiastically took part
in all science talks and exhibitions right from that age. As a result I took up
PCMB ( Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology) for my secondary school
education in the most coveted and challenging syllabus of my country Central
Board of Secondary Education. It was during this time that I was introduced by a
prominent teacher to the book - Fundamentals of Physics by - Halliday, Resnick
and Walker. That book was a turning point early in my life that inspired me and
till today I havent stopped reading and rereading that book and The Electric
Field has been my favorite topic. My interest developed further as I spent my
time watching shows like The Human Edge, Tomorrows World, and attended
lectures in above subjects outside school to delve deeper. Later I topped my
school in Senior Secondary Certificate in 12th Standard.
As a culmination of my efforts, I qualified for admission into the prestigious
engineering college RNS Institute of Technology, which is among the top five
engineering colleges in the city.
During my third year of engineering, I started developing a penchant for
Communication Systems and Computer Networks, Cryptography, Wireless
Communications, Signals and Systems and Signal Processing. I took lectures
from NPTEL website which are taught by Professors of IITs (Indian Institutes of
Technology).
I developed an appreciation of the big picture, and conversely how important
details are. As I learnt more of the subject, I began to admire the role of
Communications Technology at the technological front. After learning about the
immense potential of this field, I cannot help but feel excited about the potential
for new research in this area. I am very eager to participate in research in the
broad field of Computer Communication and Signal Processing.
I elected to do my Final Year project at Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO
- ISAC) as it has an outstanding infrastructure setup and a simulating, state-ofthe-art research environment. This enabled me to work with some of the best
minds dedicated to engineering research in my country. I was associated with Dr.

Sudhakar, Head of Test Systems Section, Control Systems Group, ISRO-ISAC,

Bangalore for this project under the guidance of Mrs. Pratibha Srivastava
Scientist/Engineer-SC, Control Systems Group. I have gained a lot from this
association in particular, an idea of how rewarding and meaningful a career in
research could be.
My Final Year project (Major Thesis) describes how a network of general purpose
digital computers is being managed in a redundant avionic configuration while
performing flight-critical functions for the Space Shuttle. The description covers
the architecture of the redundant computer network set, associated redundancy
design requirements and the technique used to detect a failed computer and to
identify this failure on-board to the crew. The basic design technique consists of
using dedicated redundancy management hardware and software to allow each
computer to judge the health of the others by comparing computer outputs
and to vote on the judgments. In formulating the design, hardware simplicity,
operational flexibility and minimum computer resource utilization were used as
criteria.
After my graduation, I worked with Amazon.com. It opened the door to a world of
best technological processes and practices in handling complex data and further
enhanced my urge to delve deeper into the field of computers and information
analysis.
But then I still lacked a sense of satisfaction as my sole urge was always to
pursue higher education in my field of engineering and so I quit my job. And
started to contemplate further for the next few months. This was when I realized
I always loved research, teaching and inspiring others and hence I developed the
clairvoyance about my real passion in life. And what more could I enjoy doing,
rather than teaching my favorite subject and involving in research and
development in this area. So I want to do my masters in Communications and
Signal Processing and continue with a Ph.D . My father, who is a Professor at a
University in India has been a key source of motivation in this area.
To summarize, I am good at Mathematics and Physics. I love research, teaching
and inspiring. I am passionate about Principles of signal Processing and
Computer Communications technology and am keen on learning more. I want to
have classrooms, I want to conduct lectures, I want to do research, I want to
inspire students. I feel great when I imagine myself doing all these and so I
enthusiastically move forward towards pursuing my dream. I am currently
pursuing my A2 Deutsch certificate course with Goethe Institute, Bangalore.
I wish to earn an MS degree in Electrical Engineering majoring in
Communications. I intend to follow it up with a Ph.D., and later, a career in
research and teaching.
The department web site revealed a very strong faculty involved in extensive
research in the area of Communications. I am particularly attracted by the
School's powerful pedagogical resource, vibrant intellectual atmosphere and a
comprehensive curriculum. Furthermore, the research work being carried out,

especially by Professor Dr. Michael Kuhn has interested me greatly. This has
strengthened my resolve to study at your esteemed Hochschule.
I bring along a strong grasp of fundamentals in Communications and Computers,
an aptitude for teaching and team work, a zest for challenges and an
enthusiastic desire to learn. I would like to take with me, in addition to knowledge
of Communications, a network of strong and lasting relationships with my
teachers and fellow-students. I hope my background and qualifications are found
suitable for a Masters degree in your esteemed university.
Sincerely,
Sreehari Buddappagari Jayapal Gowdu