Research

Short info: Origami is a project at the University of Kassel, in which a Matlab Simulink to VHDL tool chain is developed to ease the process of creating, testing and evaluating High-Level-Synthesis algorithms. Beyond that a first transformation called folding is implemented. Folding is a systematic way to share and thus save FPGA hardware resources by time-multiplexing. This is possible, when the input sample rate is lower than the system clock frequency. This area-time tradeoff is further investigated and tools are created to optimize its solutions.

More information can be found here

Short info: Digital signal processing requires extremely high computing power that only hardware can deliver. We are researching the optimization and FPGA-based implementation of these computing circuits, e.g. adder graphs for digital FIR filters. To this end, we develop optimization algorithms and design and analyze hardware structures, thereby breaking new ground.

Student work: Interesting for e-technicians and computer scientists! You will be involved in the development of FPGA circuits and/or optimization algorithms (Bachelor's/Master's theses) for hardware structures that are urgently needed in industry. Just get in touch if you are interested!

You can find the software and further information about the project on the PAGsuite website

FAIR is a new, international accelerator facility for research with antiprotons and ions, which is to be built in the next few years by the GSI (Gesellschaft für Schwerionenforschung) near Darmstadt (click here for the GSI FAIR website).As part of the FAIR project, barrier bucket systems for flexible particle beam manipulation are planned, for which control electronics, a barrier bucket low-lever radio frequency system (BB-LLRF), are required.

Our project in collaboration with GSI is focused on the realization of this BB-LLRF system. Our developments should be suitable for implementation on an FPGA platform. In addition, the real-time data supply associated with the BB-LLRF system and the connection to the control system will be addressed. FPGA-based subsystems are already used extensively in the area of RF systems in the SIS100 and for the FAIR project, so that previous experience can be drawn on. What is new in the context of this project is the time resolution below 1 ns. This must be achieved within the FPGA, which requires special investigations and designs. In this context, possibilities for continuous signal phase alignment based on an external reference will probably also have to be investigated. The main objectives of the planned work are

• the selection of a suitable signal synthesis method for the barrier pulses,
• the implementation of the synthesis method on a GSI FPGA system,
• the investigation and realization of a calibration and adjustment procedure for the precision timing of the signal synthesis,
• the development of an interface to the control system and the optical trigger distribution for the ring-to-ring transfer.

The project thus includes all components and implementations that are necessary for a prototypical realization and system integration of the BB-LLRF system. Accordingly, a prototype installed at GSI will be set up during the project period in cooperation with GSI, on which the functionality of the individual results can be tested in experimental operation and which will enable a complete demonstration of the project results at the end.

For our students: As part of this project, you can work on FPGA-based circuit designs or carry out investigations on given circuits.

In brief: With sufficient computing power, camera chips can be used much more effectively than has been the case to date. We work with FPGAs directly after the camera chips and thus use the computing power of the FPGA hardware to improve videos, e.g. for robotics, but also for 'normal' filming and in 3D.

Student work: Interesting for e-technicians and computer scientists! You develop real-time FPGA circuits (bachelor/master theses, project seminar) for image processing, e.g. for high-dynamic-range (HDR) imaging or 3D distance measurement or ..., or optimize the associated algorithms. Just get in touch if you are interested!

In brief: Unmanned autonomous aerial vehicles can be used for many tasks. We are developing a hardware platform that is capable of supporting largely autonomous flight. To this end, we are working with self-built quadrocopter models. The focus of the research is on the system-on-chip architectures that fly along as on-board computers.

Student work: Interesting for e-technicians and computer scientists! You will develop FPGA circuits or software (Bachelor's/Master's theses) for flight control and for on-board functions such as camera image evaluation, mission planning and execution. If you are interested, just get in touch!

Short info: We are investigating how to support students and teachers in the daily routine of lectures, exercises and learning and how to provide concrete help for learning. To this end, we are developing a client-server system with apps as clients. The implementation takes place under iOS or Android.

Student work: You are welcome to help program! You will develop iOS (iPad, iPhone: Objective-C) apps and the connection to a server software (also working with Linux/Unix, Java, web server available). You must enjoy programming and be interested in tablet computers. If you are interested, we also support work with Android. Just get in touch with us to clarify details!

More information about the project: here

In brief: Highly specialized systems are required for resource-critical applications in order to achieve the required performance with simultaneous energy efficiency: System-on-Chips (SoC). Reconfigurable circuits (the best-known representatives of which are FPGAs) allow the implemented functionality to be changed dynamically during operation. This allows the structure of the hardware to be adapted temporarily to requirements, which can increase both performance and energy efficiency. Such systems are called System-on-Programmable-Chip (SoPC).

Student theses: In this research area, theses are available for students (Bachelor, Master, D1/D2) in the field of planning, analysis and implementation of SoPCs and their components. Previous knowledge in the areas of digital circuit design, hardware description languages (VHDL or Verilog) or microprocessor systems is advantageous.

The e-learning software to be developed as part of the project(mainly for iPad and iPhone) aims to support students and teachers in the daily routine of lectures, exercises and learning. In addition, however, the student-side software is to be used in such a way that specific support and encouragement (guidance) of the individual student is achieved, also in connection with small learning groups that find themselves.

The possibilities of modern tablet computers and smartphones should be used to provide computer-based teaching and learning support. The main aim is to directly accompany lecture-based teaching, associated exercises and supplementary materials by providing interaction within lectures and immediate feedback of the data. Together with a subsequent analysis, student deficits can be recognized and problem areas within individual courses can be identified. Based on this, long-term improvements can then be made to the teaching material, while short-term remedies such as additional tutorials or simply repetition of material can also be offered. The necessary data is available directly after each course and in some cases during the course itself.

Students are also offered highly individualized learning advice and progress analysis based on all available data. Through interaction between the end devices assigned to the individual students, contacts for and between learning groups can also be suggested and supported.

The aim of the proposed project is therefore to provide a corresponding software environment for lecturers and students and to adapt it optimally to the "lecture" field of application. One of the main aspects here is that the tried and tested way of holding such events does not have to be radically changed, but that the additional options can be integrated as required in a complementary manner and in small steps. Other event types such as seminars can already be investigated during the project to determine which software enhancements would be necessary to support them. The project will be accompanied didactically in cooperation with the SCL and the concept pursued will be continuously improved on the basis of this advice and interim results.

For our students: You are welcome to take part in the programming work on iPhone and iPad! We offer theses (Bachelor, Master DI, DII) at any time. You should enjoy programming and be interested in tablet computers. Since part of the software is also server-based (Linux/Unix), there are also some theses on this!!!