Sensor Edge Cloud Systems

Hub 1: Sensor edge cloud systems

The Green-ICT Hub for Sensor Edge Cloud (SEC) Systems is dedicated to the systematic environmental assessment of sensors, sensor systems, and their data processing and networking in edge cloud systems.

Main Goals

  • To set up and equip a Green ICT SEC lab(oratory) as a competence center for partners from industry, associations and politics
  • To develop methods and models for the systematic environmental assessment of SEC systems and generation of data for a common database
    SEC-Systemen und Generierung von Daten für eine gemeinsame Datenbasis
  • To create a measurement and simulation environment along with a reference and reference systems from the existing preliminary work of the institutes
  • To prepare and disseminate the results and the range of solutions provided by the Green SEC Hub via workshops, training courses and events
  • Preparation and dissemination of results and the offer from the Green SEC Hub via workshops, trainings, and events

Video presentation of the hubs (only available in German)

Info poster (only available in German)

Reference systems, measurement platform, and life cycle assessment for the SEC hub

The components evaluated in the four technology fields from hardware/software modules or simulation models of subcomponents will be integrated into a modular S-E-C reference system in this work package. In the future, the reference system will allow comparisons with other (commercial) solutions and the influence of the individual components on the entire S-E-C chain to be determined. A measurement environment for recording energy consumption is being developed and integrated into the reference system. Newly created evaluation methods enable the interpretation and a standardized comparison of different system solutions. To analyze the environmental impact of each S-E-C solution on the reference system, ecological data - either measured or calculated using learned methods - are recorded in an S-E-C database, classified, and prepared for benchmarking as an offer to the industry.

Technological Fields

1) Embedded Green AI
More info
  • Edge/embedded AI solutions close to the sensor
  • Consideration of resource efficiency in embedded/edge AI solutions based on FPGA, domain-specific RISC-V processors, neuromorphic chips, and microcontrollers
2) Energy-autonomous IoT sensor nodes
More info

  • Thermal energy converters, power and energy management, energy storage systems
  • Low-power radio systems
  • Mechanical energy transformers
  • Power management for mechanical energy transformers, passive sensor technology
  • Sensor elements
  • Firmware Hardware Code Design / System Integration IoT Sensor Note
3) Green Multisensor Platform
More info
  • Energy Aware Development of Multisensor Systems (Holistic HW & SW Co-Development)
  • Energy-efficient operation and power supply of multisensor systems
  • Technology assessment and CO2 footprint from components, packaging to system design
  • Benchmarking sensor technology with regard to energy efficiency
  • Energy Aware Design: modeling and IoT system simulation algorithms and energy efficient implementation (e.g. embedded AI) in the context of smart multisensory applications (compressed sensing, data fusion, wake-up, etc.)
4) Edge Computing & Edge Cloud Systems
More info
  • Energy-efficient point-of-load converters and DC/DC converters based on GaN
  • Energy-efficient power modules based on GaN
  • Digital twin
  • Energy-efficient virtualization and orchestration solutions in the distributed edge cloud
  • Energy-efficient distributed signal processing systems
  • Sensor node with local AI

Validation projects: Get the sustainability booster for your product!

In order to evaluate the developed S-E-C reference system, exemplary specific validation projects are conducted, which quantitatively prove the environmental aspects of an S-E-C system through concrete application examples from industry. The validation projects will be selected during a review meeting.

Goals:

  • Validating a measurement platform and assessment methods for sustainable use and LCA based on specific application cases
  • Creating a case study on the condition monitoring application field from the institutes' preliminary work
  • Realize further validation projects in cooperation with industry partners (User Group). -> More info about the validation project here: Service Offerings of the Sensor-Edge-Cloud Hub
Start your validation project now