Telecommunications is a means of transmitting “information” (pictures, sound, generic files) from “here” to “there” by means of a physical medium such as wires, optical fibres or electromagnetic waves in free space. The challenge is to do this efficiently and reliably despite the many imperfections of the medium. Telecommunications are ubiquitous e.g. a typical laptop computer contains half a dozen highly sophisticated communication systems, including the magnetic and optical disc drives.

The design of modern communication systems is firmly based on the fundamental principles of information theory that were discovered by Claude Shannon and that still continue to be fascinating research areas  in their own right.

The exploitation of these ideas has been enabled both by the amazing progress in semiconductor technologies and by ever more sophisticated statistical signal processing. Indeed, as one of the largest industries, communications has been driving forward both semiconductor technologies and methods for signal processing.

Our courses cover fundamentals in information theory, electromagnetic wave propagation and antennas, and information and signal processing at large.

For further information please contact Prof. Dr. Hans-Andrea Loeliger.

The study course on Computers and Networks covers methods and processes for the analysis, design, realization and operation of systems in information technology.

Today, computers are essential components in every complex system. Very often, they are embedded into much larger systems and are networked for the purpose of realizing geographically distributed functionality. Therefore, to any engineer in the area of information technology and electrical engineering a thorough knowledge of the functionality of computers, (computer supported) networks and embedded systems is an important prerequisite for successful performance.
This field is currently affected by the following developments:

• The internet and related technologies have a significant influence on many sectors of technology and on our society.
• There is a strong tendency towards networking of formerly autonomous subsystems e.g. in the automotive industry or with information technology of any kind, whereas the systems’ functional scope is significantly extended at the same time.
• In the future, many services which until now have been offered through terrestrial networks will as well be operating non-wired, i.e. wireless and mobile. This development is accompanied by the evolution of a new generation of specialized and miniaturized portable devices (so-called wearable’s), as well as new services working in a mobile environment only.
• The design and implementation of computers and networks is supported by special software and hardware methods and tools. In the area of embedded systems such as multi-media systems, process control, sensor networks, automotive systems, new approaches are sought that lead to dependable and predictable computers and networks.
• As the networking of subsystems into more complex systems progresses, involving reciprocal dependencies, security has become an important aspect which must be considered accordingly in both the development and operation.
  

For further information please contact Prof. Dr. Bernhard Plattner.

The area of Micro- and Optoelectronics (M&OE) refers to the creation of system concepts in the fields of communications, computing, signal processing, sensing, imaging, etc. with electronic or optoelectronic devices, circuits and higher level hardware platforms.

The progress in electronic miniaturization has enabled the transformation of highly complex electrical functions into compact integrated circuits. M&OE is quasi omnipresent in many of the technical gadgets used in human social and economic activities performing signal processing in the wider sense in areas such as medical and biologic applications, information technology and entertainment or energy generation and control.

Many of today’s applications and commodities, technical and social achievements, which we take for granted, would not be possible without the “hidden” enabling function of M&OE e.g. air and rail traffic control, the internet and wireless communication, the PC, etc. Electronics and Photonics are at the core of the present information society.

Devices and IC-technologies and the strategies for their design and integration are the result of a large-scale industrial and academic research and development effort in areas such as: semiconductor and materials technologies, circuit and IC-design by CAD, system architecture, as well as high frequency techniques and photonics. Mastering the whole chain of innovation from device technology to system development is necessary to cope with the rapidly increasing complexity on all levels of integration in M&OE under the influence of the explosive growth in bandwidth and data rates. It is the synthesis of this broad spectrum of technical art that ensures reliable function of hardware that is at the core of our curriculum.

For further information please contact Prof. Dr. Heinz Jäckel.

Efficient and sustainable energy supply together with an effective and appropriate energy infrastructure are of utmost importance for modern society and its further development. This has been recognized by numerous studies, and energy has recently been put as a prioritized item on the political agenda in most countries. Security of supply, environmental compatibility and economic viability are three requirements that constitute a huge challenge in this field.

Guided by these challenges we teach the fundamentals in Electric Power Systems and Distribution. We introduce Mechatronics as a new means of electromechanical energy conversion that has become an indispensable technology, enabling extensive automation of processes on the industrial scale and in various application classes. We educate our students in the use of IT equipment in power monitoring and control and we expose them to new techniques in the design of highly compact, efficient and reliable power converters. This includes issues of power generation in hybrid systems on the macro and micro scale and in extreme environments. In addition, we discuss new methods of distributed and clean power generation to satisfy environmental needs.

If the main goal of Electrical Power Systems and Mechatronics is to help provide mankind with electric energy that is better adapted to the needs of people and the environment, our goal is to educate the engineers that make this happen.