Department Communications Systems

The focus in the field of communication systems is generally on transmission methods for current and future radio systems.

This includes the development and investigation of spectrum-efficient modulation techniques for fourth- and fifth-generation mobile communications systems, for local radio systems with maximum data rates, for digital broadcasting, and for special applications in communications technology, such as the transmission of telemetry data from rotating machines or communication techniques for industrial or medical applications with strict latency and reliability requirements.

The applications listed require expertise in channel measurement, modeling, estimation, and equalization, in signal detection, parameter estimation, and demodulation, as well as in channel coding and synchronization. In addition, methods for interference management, behavior prediction, indoor radio location, and the compatibility of coexisting radio standards are considered.

Rapid prototyping using modern DSP and FPGA platforms and extensive measurement equipment enable the timely evaluation and verification of developed algorithms, architectures, and methods.

Current areas of focus include:

• Highly flexible modulation methods for 5G and 6G
• MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) Systems
• Broadband Systems (z.B. 5G, 3GPP LTE Advanced, WiFi, WiMAX, White Space Communications)
• Ultrawideband Systems (e.g. Visible Light Communications, MB-OFDM, Nearfield Communications)
• Digitale Radio (DRM+) with innovative transceiver concepts
• Wireless Communication in GBit/s range -  Coexisting Short Range Radio by Advanced Ultra-WideBand Radio Technology
• Professional radio systems (e.g., operational and emergency radio systems, wireless audio/video production technologies, etc.)
• Software Defined Radio & Cognitive Radio

The Audio Communications and Acoustics subgroup within the Communications Systems department at the Institute of Communications Technology focuses on current topics and issues in electroacoustics and acoustic measurement technology, virtual acoustics such as binaural technology and room acoustics, and audio signal processing for PMSE and 3D audio.

Furthermore, methods for psychoacoustic evaluation and modeling of electroacoustic and signal processing systems are investigated, further developed, and optimized.

Since November 2016, the group has been operating an Immersive Media Lab (IML) to create virtual acoustic environments and further improve the signal processing required for this. In the 30m2 room, different playback systems with up to 32 channels can be operated under almost perfect acoustic conditions. This allows classic surround sound formats (5.1, 7.1) and modern 3D audio systems (Auro-3D 9.1, Dolby Atmos 13.1, NHK 22.2) to be implemented and evaluated, as well as expanded with new components.

Current areas of focus include:

• Electroacoustics and acoustic measurement technology
• Virtual acoustics (binaural technology, room acoustics, etc.)
• Audio signal processing for PMSE and 3D audio
• Psychoacoustic evaluation and modeling

The expertise of the “Statistical Signal Processing” subgroup in the “Communication Systems” department of the Institute of Communication Technology focuses on the application-specific processing and manipulation of the information contained in signals, as well as its extraction, the suppression of interference, signal generation, and feature recognition.

The group has extensive experience in working with various sensor platforms (especially inertial sensor technology) and all related issues such as multisensory acquisition, processing, fusion, and display of sensor data and machine learning, as well as a proprietary mobile platform for digital gait analysis and rehabilitation. Auditory data display and app development expand the range of technological possibilities for the development of digital rehabilitation and training methods.

In addition, the group has solid knowledge of the development of robust signal processing strategies in wireless telemetry systems (especially for the oil industry). With application-oriented research and development, the group pursues the goal of developing innovative monitoring and feedback solutions for the sports and health industry.

Current areas of focus include:

• Autonomous rehabilitation and training systems
• Compressed sensing-based detection systems
• Auditory data display and app development
• Industrial/medical sensor and telemetry systems