Leader: Assoc. Prof. Jaroslav Láčík

Group website: http://www.six.feec.vutbr.cz/research-groups/antennas-and-hf-systems/

Our main focus is on electromagnetic field modeling and microwave structures. In the former domain, the research is aimed at three areas, namely, developing methods to enable the modeling of antennas and EMC problems; designing optimization algorithms with variable numbers of dimensions; and compiling techniques for the identification of source currents in animal brains. Within microwave structures, we draft original circuits and antennas for centi- and millimeter-wave bands, implemented on both on classic and nontraditonal (fabric, paper) materials.

Major 4-year outputs:

• UHF RFID concepts applicable with unmodified EPC Gen2 tags.
• High efficiency switched RF power amplifiers.
• New technologies to operate with microwave lines and antennas at the 38 GHz and 75 GHz / 85 GHz bands, custom-developed to suit the needs of TESLA Holding.
• High-power transmission antennas for DVB-H and DVB-T, commissioned by TESLA Holding.

Leader: Prof. Tomáš Kratochvíl

Within the coexistence of transmission, mobile, and general wireless services in shared or near frequency bands, we investigate the following problems, processes, and aspects: theoretical and experimental methodology of coexistence inside and outside actual systems; interaction of systems and subsystems of communication devices; and frequency planning or modeling of critical and uncritical coexistence scenarios.

Major 4-year outputs:

• Definition of coexistence between transmission services, WLAN, and WPAN as regards measurement, modeling, and algorithmization necessary for achieving or eliminating mutual disturbance in these applications

Leader: Prof. Roman Maršálek

Group website: http://www.six.feec.vutbr.cz/research-groups/mobile-communications-2/

The specialists‘ attention is centered around prospective mobile communication systems, with topics of particular interest being modulation techniques, signal processing methods for mobile communication systems, and physical layer parameters. Another relevant research stream rests in the designing of algorithms to compensate for the deficiencies of elements forming the radio communication chain. Considering future requirements for high equipment mobility, the group also examines communication between moving users.

Major 4-year outputs:

• The perception and experience of quality in transmission and wideband multimedia services: image and video coding and transmission methods in view of perceived quality.
• Mobile network testing in collaboration with T-Mobile Czech Republic, a.s.

Leader: Prof. Otakar Wilfert

Group website: http://www.urel.feec.vutbr.cz/OptaBro/

The OptaBro team examines optical wireless links, targeting, in particular, wholly-photonic communication and VLC systems. The research program comprises multiple expert tasks, and these are as follows: investigating the functional blocks in the transmitting and receiving units of the communication chain, from the blocks‘ development and testing through to their implementation into optical wireless links; measuring and modeling an atmospheric transmission environment in the optical region of the spectrum, with an emphasis on coherent optical waves; and exploring the optimum optical beam intensity profile to minimize the negative impact of the transmission medium on the information being transmitted.

Major 4-year outputs:

• A set of optical and electronic components enabling communication along optical fibers and FSO communication lines produced in collaboration with CESNET, ISI CAS Brno, Miracle Group, and Network Group.

Leader: Prof. Aleš Prokeš

Group website: http://www.six.feec.vutbr.cz/research-groups/radiofrequency-applications/

Our research efforts materialize especially within the measurement, modeling, and analysis of transmission channels in the millimeter-wave and infrared radiation bands. More narrowly, the set of partial activities relevant to the group’s focus comprises, for example, measuring and modeling channels in the time and frequency domains to create a simulation tool to describe signal propagation in future 5G systems. In addition, we investigate modulation techniques for VLC and explore applications of adaptive optics-based, wholly-photonic systems for the transmission of exact time signals. A substantial portion of the problems and assignments are solved by our experts on the analysis and application of analog and digital systems.

Major 4-year outputs:

• Firmware and a driver for the UHF sniffer mode on USRP N210, and Labview software algorithms for real-time sniffer using USRP N210; the products were developed jointly with CISC Semiconductor GmbH.
• A novel radiolocation system based on passive coherent location, exploiting a special, highly precise digitizer, advanced DSP functions, and data streaming functionalities implemented in FPGA; the project was executed in collaboration with the ERA company.

Leader: Assoc. Prof. Jaroslav Koton

The group examines and develops state-of-the-art analog and digital electronic systems, circuits, and elements. Among other main activities, the operational tasks involve the fabrication of experimental samples and prototypes, including mechanical component engineering, and non-destructive testing with reliability analyses of customer equipment (climatic tests on the impact of temperature and humidity; visualization of radiated near electromagnetic fields to support, for example, pre-certification EMC testing; X-ray inspection).

Major 4-year outputs:

• A 1V/1A converter for the AMOS flexible current sensors manufactured by MEgA – Measuring Power Apparatus, plc.
• An automatic passenger counter for public transport (jointly with Herman systems, s.r.o).
• X-ray inspection of the solder joint quality in processor sockets, performed as specified by Inventec Corporation (Czech)
• Prototype testing within the program "Video Management Solution for Operating Room” by using an EMC scanner, and PCB X-ray inspection for the company Novanta Česká republika, s.r.o.
• Prototypes and functional samples of analog integrated circuits fabricated in collaboration with ON Semiconductor.

Leader: Prof. Miloslav Filka

Group website: http://optolab.utko.feec.vutbr.cz/

We study, fabricate, and test optical fibers and subsystems for telecommunicatons, sensors, and other related applications; moreover, our experts are widely experienced in planning, measuring and evaluating optical fiber networks.

Major 4-year outputs:

• Together with the CESNET association, we produced two innovative units:
  • a scalable, open, distributed optical sensing system exploiting a phase-sensitive reflectometer (CLDS-PhiOTDR); the setup won an award in its category at the 2018 Innovation Village SPIE Photonics Europe competition in Strasbourg.
  • a two-fiber sensing system to detect anomalies (such as construction work and associated effects) in the vicinity of optical paths; the system recognizes and localizes events over a distance of several tens of kilometers, with an accuracy of tens of meters
• Further results involve, above all, an FPGA card facilitating GPON network data analysis; the solution is unique in that it allows an analysis of not only the control operations but also the actual data. The PCI-E interface enables the card to be used in servers as well as regular PCs.

Leader: Assoc. Prof. Lukáš Fujcik

A part of our researchers develop chips used in the processing of sensor signals, such as those from bio-, chemo-, and pressure sensors. We also investigate various types of AD and DA converters (or their components), including, for example, reference sources, samplers, and filters. Moreover, the group’s program incorporates solving special systems for space applications through all design and development stages.

Major 4-year output:

• A universal portable potentiostat (nanoPOT).
• A functional sample with CDTA and CCTA integrated circuits for the current mode.
• An integrated circuit to measure biologically and toxically significant substances.
• An integrated system for EMG signal processing.
• A tester to assess radiation in AD converters.
• A module to regulate the temperature of samples in radiation experiments.

Leader: Assoc. Prof. Pavel Šteffan

Primarily we develop measuring and monitoring systems to manage experiments and to measure with electrochemical sensors. Our other interests are mainly within building automation, telemetry, and the unique identification of persons. Upon the completion of a project, the end customers are presented with custom-designed, ready-to-use systems including appropriate software.

Major 4-year outputs:

• The engineering and development of 1st and 2nd generation intelligent programmable lock cylinder assemblies for the TOKOZ company; both product lines are commercially manufactured and delivered to users.
• Smart lighting sources designed and developed on demand from the ESYST company; the intensity and color of the light are variable to suit the customer’s preferences
• A triaxial nanopositioning device to measure optical resonators; the device was engineered jointly with the BD Sensors company, where it also finds use in the manufacturing of pressure sensors.
• A monitoring system to measure composite materials.
• The CANet – Universal CAN-bus Sensor Network.
• Software for the Honeywell Lyric Wi-Fi programmable thermostat.
• A data-logger for an optical spectral analyzer.

Leader: Assoc. Prof. Jiří Hošek

Group website: http://wislab.cz/

We pursue the design and development of low-power devices for M2M data transfer applicable in LPWA mobile networks, and we also perform qualitative frequency spectrum analysis for mobile systems (2G/3G/4G/NB-IoT) and technologies operable in the unlicensed frequency band (LoRa, Sigfox). Further, our activities involve the development and investigation of mobile applications (Android/iOS) and high-speed communication in the millimeter-wave band.

Major 4-year outputs:

• A prototype of a smart home IoT gate developed for Telekom Austria Group; the product later evolved into a commercial solution currently offered to the company’s customers.
• A prototype of an NB-IoT sensor developed for Vodafone Czech Republic and presently used in testing and tuning Vodafone’s commercial NB-IoT network.
• A voice-based smart home control system designed for Telekom Austria Group.

Leader: Prof. Josef Diblík

The group’s experts examine the qualitative properties of solutions to discrete and continuous dynamical systems, focusing in particular on applicable numerical approaches and the stability, controllability, and identification of integer- and fractional-order systems.

Major 4-year outputs:

• L. BERERZANSKY, J. DIBLIK, Z. SVOBODA, Z. SMARDA, Exponential stability of linear delayed differential systems, Appl. Math. Comput., vol. 320 2018, 474-484.
• J. BASTINEC, H. DEMCHENKO, J. DIBLIK, D.Y. KHUSAINOV, Exponential Stability of Linear Discrete Systems with Multiple Delays , Discrete Dyn. Nat. Society, 2018, Article number 9703919.
• J. REBENDA, Z. SMARDA, A differential transformation approach for solving functional differential equations with multiple delays, Commun. Nonlinear. ScI., vol. 48(1) 2017, 246-257.
• S. STEVIC, J. DIBLIK, B. IRICANIN, Z. SMARDA, On a fifth-order difference equation, J. Comput. Anal. Appl., vol.24(7) 2016, 1204-1217.
• J. DIBLIK, D.Y. KHUSAINOV, J. BASTINEC, A.S. SIRENKO, Exponential stability of linear discrete systems with constant coefficients and single delay, Appl. Math. Lett., Vol. 51 2016, 68-73.