Ubiquitous Sensing Lab

The Ubiquitous Sensing (USE) Lab, jointly established by Klagenfurt University and Silicon Austria Labs, will be Austria’s main research lab in ubiquitous sensing domains tackling major research challenges including:

• Seamless integration in the environment
• Autonomous and networked data collection and information extraction
• Ease of usage, versatility, and dependability

The work will address both hardware and software aspects and particularly focus on model-based approaches for multi-sensor fusion, adaptive operation, auto calibration, self-diagnosis and methods for the fast development and verification of advanced sensor systems which include the exploitation of advanced signal processing and machine learning techniques. This involves basic and application oriented interdisciplinary research to offer industry accelerated market entrance possibilities for innovative ideas e.g., in the fields IoT (Internet of Things) and I4.0 (Industry 4.0).

The four research tracks cover the following topics.

Track #1: Sensor Modeling, Simulation and Optimal Design: Model-based approaches for sensor development and optimization; Semantic representations and annotation of sensor data, novel concepts and theories for low power smart sensors and sensor networks including wireless communication, advanced signal processing and advanced pre-evaluation of sensor data with special focus on partially or fully autarkic operation; Realistic simulation environments for application driven energy management approaches on different integration levels inclusive communication and pre-evaluation of data (chip-, package- & system-level). Track leader: Prof. Hubert Zangl.

Track #2: Sensor Signal Processing and Sensor Intelligence: Sensor signals conditioning and signal pre-processing algorithms; Sensor signals compression for efficient signal transmission and communication; Machine learning approaches for modeling and reduction of uncertainties. Realization self-referencing and self-calibrating sensor systems; Methods for testing multi-sensor matrices in real applications. Track leader: Prof. Andrea Tonello.

Track #3: Networked Sensing, Sensor Fusion and Virtual Sensing: Resource-aware in-network processing and analytics of homogeneous and heterogeneous sensor data; Multi-sensor and multi-modal fusion; Self-calibration, self-organization and resource management in networked sensing systems; Methods for resource-aware data distribution and virtual sensing in sensor networks. Track leader: Prof. Bernhard Rinner.

Track #4:  Sensor System Integration and Fabrication: Application of new materials in additive manufacturing sensor system integration and fabrication technologies of hybrid systems of chip & printed sensors, functional layers for ultrathin, flexible (bendable) sensors using additive manufacturing approaches, in particular inkjet printing; High-Resolution Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) and jetting technologies combined with 3D printing technologies; Integration of printed energy harvester and energy storage components; Polymers functionalized with nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes, graphene etc.; Strain/stress and vibration sensors flexible humidity and temperature sensors. Track leader (int): Prof. Hubert Zangl.

The USE Lab will be part of the Faculty of Technical Sciences at the University of Klagenfurt. The faculty was founded in 2007 and hosts the departments of information and communication engineering, computer science and mathematics, with about 30 professors. The USE Lab further contributes to the university’s key research strength “Networked and Autonomous Systems” covering various fundamental research topics as well as deployments in applications such as robotics and multi-UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) systems, smart grids, transportation and communication systems, and intelligent automation/production systems.

Contact: Prof. Hubert Zangl

Contact email: use-office [at] aau [dot] at