Expertise
CETIC has developed extensive expertise in wireless standards and protocols, and in low-power technologies. These fast-growing technologies offer a multitude of possibilities that could not have been envisioned until recently. Many types of equipment can benefit from a suitable connection, regardless of their particular constraints. The multiplicity of technologies available is magnified by the explosion in electronic architectures and modules on the market. In the real world, the new embedded systems have to integrate various wireless technologies, such as WiFi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, GSM, GPRS, 3G, etc. They must also be designed efficiently and rapidly, using commercially available components, to provide the best performance/cost ratio. In addition to the transmission technologies, these systems often require advanced network capabilities, like network auto-discovery, dynamic routing, node mobility, etc. Power consumption is an essential parameter in the performance of embedded systems. In industrial use, the deployment of these systems may be hampered by installation and maintenance costs, owing to poor battery autonomy. The market requires energy-efficient and energy-aware systems, in order to improve system performance, lifetime and reliability, and to reduce service interruptions and maintenance costs.
When their location prevents easy maintenance or battery replacement, purely autonomic system and sensor network solutions can be applied, thanks to embedded renewable energy devices like photovoltaic cells.
The modelling and simulation of embedded systems is also important in accelerating the design phase, in anticipating their behaviour and performance and in achieving optimal results. The ECS department is very active in this area, thanks to its expertise in classical tools and languages.
Services
Consultancy in innovative technologies for embedded systems.
We offer expertise and technical know-how related to:
- Wireless communications;
- Development on embedded OS for PDA/Smart phone (Android);
- State-of-the-art wireless sensor technologies;
- A selection of low-power components.