Topics and Projects

Design of Embedded Systems

Embedded systems have a wide range of application ranging from cars, mobile phones or even washing machines. Ninety percent of all processors are indeed embedded. The current increase in the number of embedded systems consequently makes the development process more challenging and further increases the system complexity, safety, interoperability, and energy requirements. ESS supports development projects by expanding its experience on the newest methods and tools; from the development of hardware and software components for embedded systems to system integration and even the testing of complex applications. The focal point of interest is in the mobile information systems field and HW/SW-codesign, especially in the use of reconfigurable hardware (e.g. FPGA). The projects’ main fields of application are automotive electronics and medical technology.

Sensor Networks and Mobile Information Systems

Sensor-actor networks, in which a large number of self-networking sensors and actors which complete an assignment cooperatively are embedded in our environment, have recently received much attention in research .This has however stayed limited to simulations and demonstrations. We wish to apply our experience into standard technologies such as Bluetooth or ZigBee, ESS works on methods and technologies with a view to advancing the transition from sensor networks to real technologies (e.g. in medical technology, building management systems or environmental monitoring and measurement technologies). Corresponding problems such as self-organization, localization, or energy-independent sensor nodes are dealt with and solved with actual reference to the applications. The application of mobile information systems (such as Smartphones, PDAs) and their integration in intelligent environments is for example part of our work which is  directly associated to this.

Biosignal Processing

Another focus of our work is biosignal processing. Our team also develops systems for multi-parameter analysis of various vital data, especially for mobile monitoring applications by enhancing the design and validation of analysis algorithms special tools. Current work for example deals with methods for real-time analysis of ECG signals with neuro-fuzzy systems or with systems for the analysis of heart rate and blood pressure variability. In addition to applications in medical monitoring, we further look into other uses for the processing of biosignals in other fields such as recognition of the physical condition of drivers and stress monitoring.

Telemonitoring Systems

Telemonitoring systems are  now of more significance, especially in the context of new health care devices in the medical field (disease management, DRGs). The continuous monitoring of vital functions with micro-medical sensors results in considerable progress in prevention and therapy control.  There is nowadays also a need for long-term monitoring of high-risk patients with intelligent, wearable observations systems .In addition to the issue of the online evaluation of the data, there is also another important aspect that creates the need for a simple, least visible and most comfortable application of the system to the patient’s body. The development of hardware and software for innovative mobile sensor technology and software concepts for mobile telemedical system are the main focus of current research in this field. Besides this, ESS is also deals with telemetric interfaces, data security and privacy protection, and the integration of various information systems and processes in homogenous applications.

Development Methodology and Model-based Design

With the increasing complexity of networked embedded systems – e.g. automotive control units – the demands on methodology and tools during the design process also rise. Model-based development methods and code engineering mechanisms help to validate design decisions and recognize mistakes during the early stages of design. Emphases of the work of ESS are for instance, the development of continuous model-based development processes through meta-modelling, model-to-model transformation and tool coupling, as well as the development of tool support for early design stages. An example is a concept-tool developed by ESS for the evaluation of E/E architectures which is now being developed further and has been successfully marketed by our spin-off company, aquintos GmbH.

Dynamic and Reconfigurable Hardware

The recent up-and-coming possibility of adapting hardware to operation time (dynamic reconfiguration) enables the design of high-performing and flexible systems for a number of applications. Through the utilization of dynamic reconfiguration, the necessary function can be configured according to the hardware by necessity. A number of applications, especially in the automotive field, can be implemented economically and with power loss reduction, and may as well be integrated as a hardware function in adaptive systems. The suitability of reconfigurable hardware in many automotive fields is investigated in recent studies and has eventually been implemented in real demonstrators.

Smart Clothes and Smart Textiles

Most professionals are of the opinion that the integration of micro-system technology and electronics in intelligent textiles is obvious and foreseeable. Applications range from intelligent clothes to long-term monitoring of high-risk patients to applications for climate control or security functions in textile components in vehicle interiors., We have established valuable contacts to partners in business and research with whom the transition from concept to real implementation is advanced. Thanks to ESS’s early engagement in this interdisciplinary field of research. The work of ESS lays emphasis on the development of textile sensor technology such as ECG monitoring or the observation of breathing, on data and energy transfer in textile components and on application-specific integration.