Laboratories and subject areas

The Big Data Lab was set up by us lecturers and Research Assistants at FH Aachen to investigate the exciting questions surrounding Big Data. The aim of the Big Data Lab is to support companies and students on their way to economically viable and technically mature big data solutions and to implement exciting and sustainable projects.

The Big Data Lab aims to create available solutions focussing on the use of new technologies. The laboratory will also serve as a contact point for students to support and promote final theses in the field of big data. In addition to all these practical aspects, however, the main focus should be on having fun with innovation. The vision is clear. The future will be digital and increasingly networked. Web 3.0 will revolve around the intelligent use of data. It is time to recognise and uncover the hidden value of data in which reality and the virtual world merge, as in our Bimsim project, for example.

Head: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ingo Elsen
Building H Room H217
T +49 241 6009 52207
Email: elsen(at)fh-aachen.de
https://www.bigdata.fh-aachen.de

Subject area and laboratory for data networks, IT security and IT forensics

Whether it's the internet, mobile phones or car control systems: networked IT systems have become an integral part of our daily lives. The subject area and laboratory deals with three important aspects of these systems. In the area of data networks, new methods for the operation and optimisation of networks are tested on test networks (with PCs, routers, switches, firewalls etc.). These test networks also play a central role in security. They are used to carry out penetration tests - i.e. simulated hacker attacks - on systems, find weak points and make IT systems more secure. Finally, in IT forensics, traces that we leave behind as users are extracted from the IT systems and visualised. Forensic workstations (for PC and mobile phone analysis) are available for this purpose.

Head: Prof. Dr Marko Schuba
Research Assistant: Dipl.-Ing. Hans Höfken

Room: 124
T +49 241 6009 52176
www.schuba.fh-aachen.de

Laboratory and subject area for electrical drives and machines as well as power electronics

Here we deal with the control of electrical machines and the conversion of electrical energy, investigating both direct current drives and highly dynamic three-phase drives through to double-fed asynchronous machines - as used in modern wind turbines - and the necessary power converters.
An electric drive essentially consists of an electric machine (motor), a power electronic output stage (amplifier), the sensors for measuring current, voltage, temperature, speed or position and the controller unit as well as a communication interface for integrating the drive into a higher-level automation system.Today, electric drives are used in a wide variety of applications: in industry as robot drives or in production lines; in electric vehicles, trams and trains (ICE); to generate regenerative energy in wind turbines or in solar trees that track the position of the sun. Electric drives save energy because they can be optimised for the respective application.

Head: Prof. Dr Karl-Josef Lux

Building E Room E133
T +49 241 6009 52160
Email: lux(at)fh-aachen.de
https://www.fh-aachen.de/menschen/lux

Laboratory for Electric Drive Systems

Synchronising, hybridising and building electric drives are on the agenda in the laboratory and subject area for electric drive systems. Among other things, the laboratory staff create prototypes for teaching purposes and organise the course "Electric Drive Systems". They also deal with the software-based design of electric drives for a specific load and the interaction of programmable logic controllers (PLC), drive controllers and electric machines. In addition, coupled cross-domain simulations are carried out with different tools (e.g. thermal, magnetic, electrical, mechanical). Several stationary and mobile robot systems (delta kinematics), PC workstations (with CAD workstation for complex simulations), a soldering workstation and machine test benches for small servo machines are available for teaching and research.

Head: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Michael Bragard
Building E, Room E 132
T +49.241 6009 52149
Email: bragard(at)fh-aachen.de
https://www.fh-aachen.de/menschen/bragard/

Subject area and laboratory for electrical power systems

Electrical energy systems form the basis of the electrical energy supply. As a result of the energy transition, existing systems are constantly facing new challenges and are thus undergoing constant change and improvement. In addition, new and often interdisciplinary solutions are in demand. One example of this is the sector coupling of electrical energy, heat and mobility.

In the laboratory for electrical energy systems, students have the opportunity to deepen the knowledge they have acquired in lectures on topics such as grid simulation, high-voltage technology and renewable energy systems and to gain their first practical experience in corresponding practical experiments. Several laboratory areas are available for this purpose, including

• Low-voltage grid models
• Simulation solutions for electrical grids
• Intelligent measuring systems
• Regenerative systems and storage
• Switchgear
• High-voltage laboratory

Head: Prof. Dr Ing. Gregor Krause

Research Assistant: Dipl.-Ing. Berthold Goertz

Building E, Room E018
T +49 241 6009 52145
Email: gregor.krause(at)fh-aachen.de
https://www.fh-aachen.de/menschen/krause/

Subject area and laboratory for electronics and semiconductor circuit technology

Modern information technologies have revolutionised the way we live and work. Hardly anyone can do without computers, the Internet or mobile phones at home or at work. The economy today is unimaginable without computerised production systems as well as text and data processing. This revolution continues to be based on the progressive increase in performance of semiconductor electronics. Electrical engineering students gain an insight into this subject area in the subjects of components, basic circuits, semiconductor circuit technology and optoelectronics. The research focus is on the development of sensors and sensor systems for environmental detection in automobiles, industrial applications and medical technology. The laboratory is equipped with the latest simulation and CAD software, precise assembly and connection technology and state-of-the-art measurement technology. Bachelor's and Master's theses can be carried out in this environment as part of research and development projects.

Head: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Thorsten Ringbeck
Research Assistant: Dipl.-Ing. Stephan Borucki
Building G, Room G216
T +49 241 6009 52216
Email: ringbeckfh-aachen.de
www.fh-aachen.de/menschen/ringbeck

Subject area and laboratory of vehicle electronics and EMC

The Vehicle Electronics and EMC teaching and research centre investigates the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) of vehicle electrical system components in particular. State-of-the-art measurement technology is available for this purpose. Almost all conducted immunity and interference emission tests can be carried out on standard 12 V vehicle electrical system components. We have good contacts with renowned test centres for further tests. In addition to the pure testing service, the further development of EMC testing and test procedures as well as consulting and training is a focal point of the teaching and research area. The laboratory is also active in the field of innovative charging systems for electromobility and IT security of networked systems in motor vehicles.


Head: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Michael Hillgärtner
Research Assistant: Franz-Josef Wache, M. Eng.

Building E, Room E 019
T +49 241 6009 52112
www.hillgaertner.fh-aachen.de

Subject area and laboratory for vehicle systems

Electronics and electrics are the key drivers for innovative mechatronic systems in motor vehicles. New functionalities such as driver assistance systems and autonomous driving functions are being realised or the entire drivetrain is being electrified in hybrid or purely electric form. The Vehicle Systems subject area addresses these new applications and deals with them in application-oriented teaching, research and development. The focus is particularly on electronics and sensor technology as central elements of modern vehicle systems. Due to the embedding of these systems in the overall vehicle system, great importance is attached to close cooperation with other faculties and industry, both in teaching and research. In addition, intelligent electronic systems in general, for robotics, IoT or Industry 4.0 applications, represent a further focus.

Head: Prof. Dr rer. nat. Felix Hüning
Building E, Room E 019
Building G, Rooms G 318, G 318, G 320
T +49 241 6009 51979
Email: huening(at)fh-aachen.de
www.huening.fh-aachen.de

Subject area and laboratory for high and very high frequency technology

High and very high frequency technology deals with the design of various applications in the range from 30 kHz to 100 GHz. The most important areas of application in the laboratory include RF measurement technology, plasma technology (plasma emitters, lamp technology, spark plugs), localisation systems and transmission and reception systems (mobile radio, RFID). The laboratory is equipped with the latest measurement technology up to 67 GHz (e.g. network and spectrum analysers, signal generators), which is used both in the practical trainings for the courses and lectures (fundamentals of high-frequency technology, high-frequency measurement technology, microwave technology, antennas and propagation) and in the research and development projects. The assembly technology that is still available (soldering technology, layout software, simulation software, etc.) enables the complete realisation of a large number of final theses.

The research work at the subject area of High and Very High Frequency Technology is now embedded in the "Institute for Microwave and Plasma Technology" (IMP), whose Executive Director is Prof Holger Heuermann.

Director: Prof. Dr Ing. Holger Heuermann
Research Assistants:

• Dr.-Ing. Arash Sadeghfam
• Dr Thomas Harzheim
• Jennifer Reinholz, M. Eng.
• Thomas Gatzweiler, M. Eng.
• Stefan Terbrack, B. Eng.

Building G, Rooms G 204, 205, 206, 207, 209
T +49 241 6009 52108 (Laboratory: -52107 or -52109)
www.fh-aachen.de/menschen/heuermann
Subject area High and Very High Frequency Technology

Laboratory for IT Organisation and Management (ITOM)

The IT Organisation and Management Laboratory (IT OM) develops innovative methods to bring the theory of IT service management (ITSM) to life. The employees of the laboratory deal with theoretical concepts from the field of IT and their application in practice. We conduct research in the fields of IT service management, IT financial management, (serious) game design, change management, process modelling and process implementation, communication and IT marketing, among others. Our ability to find new and creative ways to improve IT organisation is as diverse as these topics. Regular training courses and certifications in ITSM round off the profile of the laboratory and subject area. Simulation games are also offered, such as the serious games "Apollo 13", "Grab@Pizza", "Team Up" and "2020 Change Management".


Head: Prof Dr Martin Wolf
Building W, Room W 008
T +49 241 6009 52171
itom.fh-aachen.de

Mobile media and communication lab (m2c-lab)

The mobile media & communication lab at FH Aachen provides innovative research and development services in the field of mobile information logistics. In addition to participating in publicly funded research projects, the laboratory offers consulting services in the field of mobile enterprise software, particularly to small and medium-sized companies.

Using modern technologies and with expertise in usability, design and IT, the interdisciplinary team develops customised solutions. In addition, the conception of business models and incentive systems is offered in order to establish software solutions on the market and make them competitive.

A particular success factor of the m²c-lab's work is the combination of creative processes of conceptualisation and interaction design with development methods from software and usability engineering. The laboratory staff use not only traditional methods and tools of user-orientated development and innovation and creativity management, but also methods and tools developed in-house.

Head: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Thomas Ritz
Research Assistants:

• Dipl.-Betriebsw. Britta Fuchs
• Dipl.-Inf. Marcel Remmy
• Till Franzke, M. Eng.
• Katrin Birmans, B. Sc.
• David Erberich, B. Sc.

Building H, Room H 206
T +49 241 6009 52136
www.m2c-lab.fh-aachen.de

Subject area and laboratory for multimedia technology

Life without telecommunications and audiovisual media is unthinkable. We all use television, voice communication via mobile phones, video streaming and web radio on a daily basis. The subject area of multimedia technology covers the areas of media production as well as media data compression, storage, transmission and processing and the topic of media data security in teaching and research. The production teaching studio has professional equipment for photo, audio, HD and 3D video recordings and corresponding post-production. Research focuses on multimedia compression and transmission via fixed and mobile IP networks, automotive video, security of multimedia components in cars, 3D video signal processing and technical production aspects of 3D video. Topics from these areas are dealt with in internal work and in projects within the framework of industrial co-operations.

Head: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Frank Hartung
Research Assistant: René Heß, M.A.

www.hartung.fh-aachen.de

Subject area and laboratory for communications engineering and communication networks

The Department of Communications Engineering and Networks is primarily concerned with digital broadband transmission technology on various media (radio channel, cable, fibre optics), but especially mobile and satellite radio. So-called "Software Defined Radios", i.e. software reconfigurable transceivers with massive use of digital signal processing, form an extensive field of work. We develop the necessary fast hardware (ADC/DAC, FPGA and processor boards etc.) with the associated software. The communications engineering laboratory has state-of-the-art measurement technology that can also be used for reference measurements and certification tasks. This includes several vector signal measuring stations with which every transmission technology standard relevant today can be analysed or synthesised. In addition, there are various network analysers that are indispensable for the development of modern high-speed hardware.

Head: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Thorsten Benkner

Room: 324|325
T +49 241 6009 52130
www.benkner.fh-aachen.de

The field of communication systems deals with digital signal processing and digital information transmission. It includes signal and system analysis in the time and frequency domain, which provides position and speed information in radar systems, for example, as well as estimation and equalisation of data using the example of a communication transmission link. Other relevant topics are source and channel coding in communication systems, which, as pure software implementations, enable faster and more reliable information transmission.

In addition to a range of measuring instruments, the laboratory for communication systems has several software defined radios (SDR) that can be used to develop or test wireless or wired communication systems. These can also be used to realise various digital signal processing tasks.
As part of practical trainings in the Master's degree programme, students are taught how to implement systems and investigate their performance using SDR. Several NI USRP™ (Universal Software Radio Peripheral) platforms based on LabVIEW software as well as several ADALM Pluto (Analog Devices Active Learning Module) transceivers are available for this purpose. Open source based Red Pitaya platforms and HackRF SDRs are also available for partial or full system implementation as part of final theses, research and development activities.

Several programmable FMCW radar modules from different manufacturers, which can detect radar profiles or movements of target objects, can be used in final theses and projects.
FMCW modules from Infineon are used to give students a practical understanding of signal processing in FMCW radar as part of practical trainings in the Master's programme. Object characterisation and detection using radar is also a research topic that is being pursued here on behalf of Hyundai. For this purpose, a measuring system was realised which can capture the radar profile of a target object at different angles and heights with the help of radar books from INRAS.

Head: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Snjezana Gligorevic
Building E, Room E 315
T +49 241 6009 52134
Email: gligorevic(at)fh-aachen.de
https://www.fh-aachen.de/gligorevic/