Antti K. Piironen

Date of Birth: July 5, 1963

Nationality: Citizen of Finland

Work address:

Metropolia University of Applied Sciences
Karaportti 2
FI-02650 Espoo
Finland

Phone: 

+358-40-555-2871 (mobile)

Email: 

antti.piironen@metropolia.fi (work)

Education

• M.Sc. in Physics, 1989, University of Joensuu

• Licentiate of Philosophy in Physics, 1991, University of Joensuu

• Ph.D. in Physics, 1994, University of Joensuu. (Thesis grade = Eximia).

• Pedagogical studies for vocational teacher, 2004, Teacher Education College of JAMK University of Applied Sciences

Appointments

Currently

Principal Lecturer, Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Helsinki, Finland, August 1, 2016  – present 

• • Teaching: 

    • Embedded engineering: courses on Google Sites

    • Supervising Bachelor's Final Year Projects

      • Annually 5-10 projects, 90+ in total (2000-2025)

      • About 90% done for industrial partners

  • Other:

    • Head of Metropolia ICT Summer School, 

      • Annual 3 week long summer school in August with 20-30 intensive courses taught by Metropolia's academic partners abroad

    • Chairman of the Board of Examiners

    • Vice member of the Legal Protection Committee

    • Shop steward (union representative for teachers of technology)

Work History

Director, Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Helsinki, Finland, September 2012 – July 2016

• • Leading School of ICT (Sept 2012- May 2013)

  • Leading School of ICT and School of Arts and Culture (June 2013 - December 2013)

  • Leading Applications and Business Division (January 2014 – January 2016)

    • 5000 students in the fields of ICT, Media, Electric and Automation Engineering, Industrial Business, and Business

    • 265 teachers and staff

    • Responsible of Strategic Development on Metropolia Master’s Degree Programmes. Annual targets met and exceeded. 

  • Co-leading the biggest engineering education pedagogical change in the history of Finnish University of Applied Sciences (2012-2015)

Principal Lecturer, EVTEK and Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Helsinki, Finland, March 1, 2000 – May 31, 2013

• • Teaching topics: digital signal processing, analog and mixed signal electronics, measurement technology, embedded systems programming, programmable system on chip, 

  • Supervised 50+ final year theses (B.Eng.)

  • Coordinator, Erasmus LLP Embedded DSP Intensive Project (2010, 2011, 2012), Active Games IP (2013). 

  • Director of Measurement Systems Laboratory, August 1, 2000 – July 31, 2008

  • Head of Information Technology Degree Programme, Embedded Systems Specialization Option, August 1, 2008 – July 31, 2009

  • Head, Degree Programme in Information Technology, August 1, 2009 – September 2012

Senior Scientist, Vaisala Oyj , Helsinki, Finland, January 1, 1997 – March 30, 2000

• • Research on optical meteorological instruments

  • Coordination of subcontracted research activities

  • Collaboration with national and international experts

Assistant Researcher,University of Wisconsin-Madison , Space Science and Engineering Center, Madison, USA, December 1, 1995 - December 1996 .

• • Research on signal analysis of lidar.

  • Development of Volume Imaging Lidar

Research Associate, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Space Science and Engineering Center, Madison, USA, January 1, 1995 - November 30, 1995..

• • Research on signal analysis of lidar.

  • Development of Volume Imaging Lidar

Research Intern, University of Wisconsin-Madison,Space Science and Engineering Center , Madison, USA, January 1, 1994 - December 31, 1995. 

• • Research on signal analysis of lidar.

  • Development of Volume Imaging Lidar

Honorary Research Fellow, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Meteorology, Madison, USA, March 1, 1991 - December 31, 1993.

• • Research on signal analysis of lidar.

Visiting Researcher, York University, Institute of Space and Terrestial Sciences, Toronto, Canada.

• • Work with a Canadian lidar research group. October 6, 1989 - November 3,1989.

Research Assistant, University of Joensuu, Department of Physics, Finland.

• • Departmental administration. March 21, 1988 - October 16, 1988.

  • Signal analysis research and work on departmental administration. November 15, 1988 - December 31, 1988.

  • Development of mathematical methods for analysing a future satellite based instrument data. May 1, 1989 - June 30, 1989,

  • Departmental administration and development of mathematical methods for analysing a future satellite based instrument data. July 1, 1989 - December 31, 1989.

  • Research and teaching of signal analysis. January 1, 1990 - August 31, 1991

  • On leave to do research work on signal analysis of lidar. September 1, 1991 -December 31, 1993.

Research Fellow, University of Joensuu, Department of Physics, Finland.

• • Development of educational laboratory experiments. June 1, 1986 - August 31, 1986.

  • Maintenance of research laboratory equipments. November 1, 1986 - December 31, 1986.

  • Work on Finnish Space Science programs. Place of work: Finnish Meteorological Institute, Department of Geophysics, Helsinki, Finland. May 18, 1987-July 19, 1987.

Personal Research Grants

• The Academy of Finland, 1991-1993, 78,400 FIM.

• Alfred Kordelin Foundation, 1993, 18,000 FIM.

• University of Joensuu, 1991-1993, 214,000 FIM.

Professional Interests and Experience

Signal analysis

• • Research: Signal analysis of lidar (Volume Imaging Lidar) and a satellite based instrument GOMOS.

  • Courses: Introduction to Signal Analysis, DSP Problem Solving

  • Teaching: ~40 implementations from fundamentals to applications

Lidar (optical radar)

• • Work on Volume Imaging Lidar 1991-1996. Developing methods for determining Convective Boundary Layer mean depth and cloud geometrical properties, and wind profiles from the VIL data.

  • Two and three dimensional signal analysis.

  • Development and maintenance of Volume Imaging Lidar.

  • Planned and performed Volume Imaging Lidar field experiments on 1995 and 1996.

Atmospherics physics

• • Two journal publications and two conference abstracts on the subject.

Electronics

• • Assembly and testing of preliminary designs for data interface for International Mars experiment (PHOBOS) on 1987

  • Design and assembly of prototypes and test equipment

  • Teaching: Several years of analog and mixed signal electronics.

Programming languages: 

• C, ASM, LabVIEW, Matlab

Journal Articles

1. K. Piironen and E. W. Eloranta : 'An accuracy analysis of the wind profiles calculated from Volume Imaging Lidar data', J. Geophys. Res. , Vol 100, D12, 1995, 25559-25567. 

2. K. Piironen and E. W. Eloranta : 'Convective boundary layer mean depths and cloud geometrical properties obtained from Volume Imaging Lidar data', J. Geophys. Res. , Vol 100, D12, 1995, 25569-25576. 

3. A.K. Piironen and E.W. Eloranta, 'Three-Dimensional Images of Cirrus Clouds Derived from Volume Imaging Lidar Observations', Advances in Atmosheric Remote Sensing with Lidar , Springer-Verlag, 1996. 

4. Sihvola, E., J. Tamminen, E. Kyrola, Oikarinen, H. Haario, and A. Piironen, 'Inverse Theory for Occultation Measurements: Part 2. Vertical Inversion'. In preparation 1995. 

5. Seija Ristimäki, Riitta Lehtinen, Antti Piironen, ”Suomi nousuun insinööriosaamisella” (in Finnish), Toolilainen (ISSN: 0355-855X), TOOL, Helsinki, 2014. 

6. Padley, A & Piironen, A.K. 2017, Redesigning for Student Centricity: A Four-Step Process, UAS Journal 3/2017, Rectors’ Conference of Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences (Arene), ISSN:1799-6848, Accessed January 4, 2017, URL: https://uasjournal.fi/in-english/redesigning-for-student-centricity/

7. Concha Batanero, Luis Fernández-Sanz, Antti K. Piironen, Jaana Holvikivi, Jose Ramón Hilera, Salvador Otón and Jaime Alonso, Accessible platforms for e-learning: A case study, Computer Applications in Engineering Education, Volume 25, Issue 6, November 2017, Pages: 1018-1137, URL: http://rdcu.be/D8i6, Accessed January 8, 2018. 

Conference Abstracts

1. A. Piironen and E. Newth : 'A Study of the Low-Mass X-Ray Binary 4U 1820-303', Student Projects in Nordic Research Course in Observational Methods and Techniques in Space Astrophysics, Skibotn, Norway, June 5-7, 1989. pp 51-57. 

2. E. Kyrola, S. Korpela, T. Tuomi, Y. Kotivuori, J. Varis, A. Piironen, and H. Haario, 'Inverse Theory for Occultation Measurements', in Topical Meeting on Optical Remote Sensing of the Atmosphere Technical Digest, 1990 , Optical Society of America, Incline Village, Nevada, February 12-15, 1990, . 

3. Kyrola., E. Sihvola, M. Tikka, T. Tuomi, A. Piironen, and H. Haario, Inversion of Occultation Measurements, Proceedings of the IGARSS'91, Vol II, 935-938, 1991. 

4. Kyrola., E. Sihvola, J. Tamminen, A. Piironen, and H. Haario, Inversion of Occultation Measurements, in Digest of Topical Meeting on Optical Remote Sensing of the Atmosphere, 1991 (Optical Society of America, Washington, D.C., 1991), Vol 18, 51-53, 1991. 

5. Antti K. Piironen and E. W. Eloranta, : 'Wind Profiles Derived from Volume Imaging Lidar Data: Enhancements to the Algorithm and Comparisons with Insitu Observations', poster presentation, NASA Conference Publication 3158, Sixteenth International Laser Radar Conference, Cambridge, Massachusetts, July 20-24, 1992. 

6. Antti K. Piironen and E. W. Eloranta : 'Wind Profiling with the Volume Imaging Lidar: A Comparison with Aircraft and Balloon Based Measurements', oral presentation in Topical Meeting on Optical Remote Sensing of the Atmosphere Technical Digest, 1993, Optical Society of America, Salt Lake City, Utah, March 8-12, 1993. 

7. R. Reinking, T. Uttal, R. Kropfli, E. Eloranta, P. Piironen, A. Piironen, R. Bruintjaes, and P. Pilewskie, 'Hydrometeor distinction with radar, lidar, passive spectroradiometer, and aircraft measurements in winter storm', Proceedings of the IUGG Meeting, Boulder, Colorado, July 2-14, 1995. 

8. R. Reinking, T. Uttal, J. Snider, R. Kropfli, E. Eloranta, P. Piironen, A. Piironen, R. Bruintjaes, and P. Pilewskie, 'Multi-sensor distriction of cloud properties and dynamics in developing winter storm', Proceedings of the GEWEX Cloud System Study Working Group on Extra-tropical Layer Clouds, New York, NY, November, 1995. 

9. J. G. Shanks, F. C. Mertz, W. A. M. Blumberg, I. S. Robinson, J. J. Lisowski, M. J. Thorwart, K. Bishop. E. W. Eloranta, and A. Piironen, 'A new specular model for CLDSIM, motivated by ARES multispectral data and recent LIDAR observations', The 1996 Meeting of the IRIS Specialty Group on Targets, Backgrounds and Discrimination, Sandia National Lab, Albuquerque, New Mexico, January 30 - Ferbuary 1, 1996. 

10. A.K. Piironen and E.W. Eloranta, 'Three-Dimensional Images of Cirrus Clouds Derived from Volume Imaging Lidar Observations', poster presentation in Eighteenth International Laser Radar Conference , Berlin, Germany, July 22-26, 1996. 

11. Eloranta, E. W.; Wylie, D. P.; Piironen, P. and Piironen, A. Lidar verification of tropical cirrus cloud measurements derived from GOES-8 data using CO2 slicing algorithm. Proceedings of the OSA Winter Topical Meeting on Optical Remote Sensing of the Atmosphere, Santa Fe, NM, 10-14 February 1997. Volume 1997, Optical Society of America, Washington, DC, 1997, pp.92-93.

12. Eloranta, E. W.; Piironen, P. and Piironen, A. The optical properties and the spatial structure of cirrus clouds. IRS '96: Current problems in atmospheric radiation. Proceedings of the International Radiation Symposium, Fairbanks, Alaska, 19-24 August 1996. A. Deepak Publishing, Hampton, VA, 1997

13. Anna-Maija Kärkkäinen, Antti Piironen, Tero Kähkönen, and Jan Lönnqvist, 'The Characteristics and Performance of Vaisala's New CT75K Lidar Ceilometer', Proceedings of the EnviroSense '97, Berlin, 1997. 

14. A.K. Piironen, 'Matematiikka teollisen tutkimuksen ja tuotekehityksen apuvälineenä Vaisala Oy:ssä', (in Finnish) Teollisen matematiikan päivät, Helsinki, January 8, 1998. 

15. Antti K. Piironen, Janne Räsänen, and Jan Lönnqvist, 'Horizontal Visibility Measurement with Lidar', Proceedings of the Optical Society of America Topical Meeting on Remote Sensing of the Atmosphere, Santa Barbara, CA, USA, June 21-25, 1999. 

16. Lotta Lehtelä, Antti Piironen, and Timo Nousiainen, 'A Scattering Model for Precipitation Type Sensor', Proceedings of the 4th Conference on Electromagnetic and Light Scattering by Nonspherical Particles. Theory and Applications, September 20-21, 1999, Vigo, Spain. 

17. Antti Piironen, Janne Räsänen, Jan Lönnqvist, 'Directional Visibility Measurements with the Vaisala Ceilometer', Proceedings of the American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting 2000, USA. 

18. Vesa Tanner, Antti Piironen, Janne Räsänen, Jan Lönnqvist, 'Urban Aerosol Detection with Vaisala Ceilometer', Proceedings of the American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting 2000, USA. 

19. Janne Räsänen, Vaisala Oyj, Helsinki, Finland; and J. Lönnqvist and A. K. Piironen, ‘Urban Boundary Layer Measurements with a Commercial Ceilometer’, Proceedings of the Third Symposium on Urban Environment, CA, USA, August 14-19, 2000

20. Antti Piironen, ‘Problem Based Learning of Embedded Systems Design’, Proceedings of the Workshop on Embedded Systems Education 2007, October 4-5, 2007, Salzburg, Austria

21. Ikonen, A. and Piironen, A. And Saurén, K. and Lankinen, P., Challenge Based Learning in Engineering Education, Proceedings of the 4th International CDIO Conference, 2008

22. Anssi Ikonen, Antti Piironen, Kimmo Saurén, Pasi Lankinen, CDIO concept in Challenge Based Learning, WESS '09 Proceedings of the 2009 Workshop on Embedded Systems Education, Pages 27-32, 2009. 

23. Anssi Ikonen, Antti Piironen, Kimmo Saurén, CDIO Concept in Challenge Based Learning, Proceedings of the October 15th, 2009. Grenoble, France

24. Antti Piironen, Anssi Ikonen, Kimmo Saurén, Pasi Lankinen, “Challenge Based Learning In Engineering Education”, 5’th International CDIO Conference, Session C5 – Active and Experimential Learning, Singapore Polytechnic, Singapore, 2009. 

25. Anssi Ikonen, Antti Piironen, “Challenge Based Learning in Embedded Engineering Education”, Proceedings of the 9th International Conference and Workshop on Ambient Intelligence and Embedded Systems (AmiEs-2010), Katholieke Hogeschool Kempen, Belgium September 29-30, 2010. 

26. Antti K. Piironen, Juho Vesanen, Malcolm Blake, John Evans, Panos Abatis, Manfred Jungke, Wolfgang Stief, Andrius Usinskas, Vilius Matiukas, Valentina Omelcenko, “Embedded DSP Intensive Project 2010”, Proceedings of the 7th International CDIO Conference, Technical University of Denmark, Copenhagen, June 20 - 23, 2011

27. Antti K. Piironen, Hiroyuki Aoki, “ Using International Work-pair in Engineering Education”, Proceedings of the 9th International CDIO Conference, Cambridge, Massachusetts, June 9 – 13, 2013. 

28. Antti K. Piironen, Juho Vesanen, Joseph Hotchkiss, Manfred G. Jungke, Robert Michalik, Andrius Usinskas, Panos Abatis, Shaun Yates, “Self-evaluation Driven Recommendations For Planning Intensive Projects “,Proceedings of the 10th International CDIO Conference, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain, June 16-19, 2014.

29. Antti Piironen, “Millaisella osaamisella Suomi nousee? Inssiforum 2015 -paneelin satoa” (in Finnish), Proceedings of InssiForum2015 conference, Helsinki, Finland, ISBN: 978-952-328-096-0, pages 10-14, January 28.-29, 2015. 

30. James Collins, Erja Turunen, Antti Piironen, ”Enhancing the RDI Competence of Master’s Students through Diversity Management Interventions”, Proceedings of the 12th International CDIO Conference (ISBN: 9789522166104), Turku University of Applied Sciences, Turku, Finland, June 12-16, 2016. 

31. A.K. Piironen and Markku Karhu, International Intensive Projects In Engineering Education, The 13’th International CDIO Conference, Proceedings, 101-106 , https://prism.ucalgary.ca/handle/1880/52101

32. A.K. Piironen, Haho, P., Porokuokka, J., Hirvikoski, T., Mäki, M. 2017. Experiences on a Multidisciplinary CDIO Project. The 13’th International CDIO Conference, Proceedings, 279-287. https://prism.ucalgary.ca/handle/1880/52101 

33. Katriina Schrey-Niemenmaa, Antti Piironen 2018. Experiences on a CDIO Introductory Project Transfer to a New Teacher. The 14’th International CDIO Conference, Proceedings, 230-237. http://jairo.nii.ac.jp/0470/00000151/en 

34. Jukka Jonninen, Antti Piironen, Heikki Valmu 2018. Engineering Education Paradigm Shift in Metropolia UAS. The 14’th International CDIO Conference, Proceedings, 293-301. http://jairo.nii.ac.jp/0470/00000151/en 

35. Antti Piironen, Add Padley, Kaisla Saastamoinen 2018. Student-Centered Learning in CDIO Framework. The 14’th International CDIO Conference, Proceedings, 481-490. http://jairo.nii.ac.jp/0470/00000151/en 

36. Katriina Schrey-Niemenmaa, Antti K. Piironen 2018. Engineering Education Introductory Project - Can the Concept Be Copied and Transferred? . 46’th SEFI Conference, Proceedings, 1215-1222. https://www.sefi.be/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/SEFI-Proceedings-2-October-2018.pdf 

37. Hiroyuki Aoki, Tatsuo Nakazawa, Antti Piironen, Akihiro Yamashita, Susumu Tarao 2019, A trial of Societal Implementation Education Aiming at Global Development, Japanese Society of Engineering Education. 

Theses

• Antti Piironen: 'Analysis of Volume Imaging Lidar Signals', Ph.D. Thesis, University of Joensuu, Department of Physics, Vaisala Laboratory, Finland, 1994. 

• Antti Piironen : 'Application of Inversion Methods for Satellite-Based Occultation Methods', Licentiate Thesis, University of Joensuu, Department of Physics, 1991. 

• Antti Piironen : 'Inverse Methods for Occultation Measurements', M.Sc. Thesis on subsidiary subject (Mathematics), University of Joensuu, Department of Mathematics, 1990. 

• Antti Piironen : 'Signaalinkäsittelyn Menetelmät' (Methods of Signal Processing), M.Sc. Thesis, University of Joensuu, Department of Physics, 1989. 

Invited Talks

• Seminar presentation 'Lidar signal analysis in 3D', NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, December 14, 1995

• Presentation 'Vaisala: Measuring the Environment', Annual meeting of Finnish Optical Society, 1997

• Lecture 'Vallitsevan sään sensorit', (in Finnish) University of Helsinki, Dept. of Meteorology, February 10, 1999

• Seminar presentation 'Optical Measurements in Meteorology', University of Joensuu, Dept of Physics, February 18,1999

• Invited Talk 'Matlab in industrial research and development: reality strikes back', Matlab DSP Conference, November 17, 1999

• Keynote Speech ‘Embedded Technology in Finland: Trends and Prospects’, Daegu Embedded Conference, South Korea, December 2008

Other Academic Activities

• Special Track Program Committee, IEEE International Conference on Omnilayer Intelligent Systems: Blockchain and Internet of Things special track for COINS 2020 conference, 2020. 

• Board member of INSKE ry Association, Finland 2015-2018. 

• Advisory Panel member of Computing Analytics & Networks – CAN 2017 symposium, Chitkara University, Himachal Pradesh, India

• Chairman of Examination Board, EVTEK University of Applied Sciences 2004-2008 

• Chairman of Examination Board, Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences 2011-2012

• Principal Investigator, Erasmus Intensive Program: Embedded DSP Active Games, 2010-2012

• Principal Investigator, Erasmus Intensive Program: Active Games, 2013-2014

• Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, Optoelectronics Research Centre of Tampere Technological University 1999-2000 

• Member of Conference Committee on Matlab and DSP Seminar, Helsinki, November 16-17, 1999 

Language Skills

• Finnish: first language

• English: second language, fluent oral and written English, primary teaching language

• Swedish: third language. Certificate: good knowledge in oral and written Swedish, 1989

Hobbies

• Outdoors activities: fishing, camping, expoloring the nature, hunting

• Indoors activities: wood workshop, home improvement, 3D modeling and printing