STC Annual report 2013-2014
Sensible Things that Communicate
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Sensible Things that Communicate Annual Report 2013-2014 Diarienummer: MIUN 2015/610 Cover picture photografer: Tina StafrÊn Print: Mid Sweden University Contact person: Mattias O’Nils head of STC
table of contents 1. Evolving years
4
2. STC in numbers
5
3. ARC 13
6
4. STC and FSCN – a KK-Environment
8
5. Events
11
Smart Living 2013 – The Mid Nordic Sustainability Conference
11
Researchers in 3D multimedia gathered for summer school
12
STC Expo 2013 – sustainability for business and growth
13
Business Innovation Day
14
Science & Innovation day
15
6. Awards
16
7. Spinn-off companies and patents
20
8. STC in media
21
9. PhD-exams
23
10. New staff, PhD-students and promotions
47
11. Research projects
51
Projects started 2012 and ongoing
51
Projects started 2013 and ongoing
51
Projects started 2014 and ongoing
52
Projects started and ended 2014
56
Projects ended 2013
58
Projects ended 2014
61
12. Publications
66
STC - Sensible Things that Communicate
1. Evolving years The last two years have been intensive for the STC Research Centre with evaluations, a record in produced doctors and putting great efforts into building the new KK-Environment at Mid Sweden University with the vision ”Transforming the Industrial Ecosystem”. In 2013 and 2014 STC examined 19 PhD-students. The new doctors have spread worldwide to work in the industry and academia. Graduating that many of our students in such a short time provides both opportunities and challenges. The challenges have been recruiting new graduate students, attract new financing and maintain academic production when 20 skilled researchers moved on in their careers. But it also has given us an opportunity to sharpen our focus on strategy by recruiting graduate students in new strategically selected areas and projects.
new strategic actions STC has for a long time served as one of Mid Sweden University´s research centers but in 2013 STC formally became one of four profiled research centers at the university. As part of the KK-Environment at Mid Sweden University our work have for a period been focusing on develop a strategic description that can capture both the university’s and the research centers’ ambitions in the field. This has led us to formulating three areas of strength: one within functional areas (km2), one in wireless sensor systems for next automation generation (EISS) and the third area in Measurement Systems is under development and is expected to have a research agenda formulated in 2015.
innovation Innovation activities are an important complement to the research and collaboration within STC. It resulted in three patents and start-up of three new companies during this period: • OnTop Measurement AB started in February
2013, based on innovations in measurement of topography during the production of large surfaces. • Sense Zone AB started in autumn 2013 on the
basis of innovations in the NFC connected sensors and smart RFID/NFC-based systems. • EmZense AB started in late 2014 with a focus
to commercialize integrated sensor solutions for industrial applications.
focus in the future Coming years we will be focusing on the strategic development of the strategic areas within STC. With new regional projects in the cooperation agreement with Sundsvall Municipality and new projects in close collaboration with the region's companies within the new period for the regional fund. Furthermore, we will focus on expanding international cooperation with research groups and on a centre level.
Another important part in the strategic development has been to produce two yearly events: Business Innovation Day (BID) and Science & Innovation Day (SID). BID aims to to connect the industry and their business challenges with the university. SID is a meeting point where the university presents the latest research results and the industry can contribute to the strategic development and inspiration.
high ratings in evaulations A major drive for development in the strategic work has been the research evaluation carried out in 2013 on the entire university (ARC 13). The results showed that both research and the collaboration at STC received very high ratings. But the evaluation also provided important tools to identify the need of strategic development.
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Mattias O’Nils, Head of STC Sundsvall February 24, 2015
Annual report 2013-2014 - STC in numbers
2. STC in numbers STC research environment started in 2005 and has developed from a small research environment with only two professors to a large and recognized research environment involving more than 60 personnel. A key factor for this development was the funding of a profile from the Knowledge Foundation in 2005. This boosted the identity of the research environment that has led to a large growth in funding from different sources. In 2011 STC, together with research centre FSCN, was selected to be the first KK-Environment at Mid Sweden University. Only two other universities in Sweden have been announced to have a KK-Environment. In 2013 STC evolved once again when becoming a research centre at Mid Sweden University.
Funding The external funding during 2013 and 2014 has temporally decreased, mainly due to a gap between the funding periods of the European regional funds. The funding from the KK-Foundation has also decreased during the reformulation of our strategic direction within the KK-Environment, but this is expected to increase now when the strategic direction is more clear. The temporally decrease in funding has been in the plan for some time and has been handled such that the acceptance of new PhD-students has been delayed for 1-2 years, which is clearly shown in the graph over the number of personnel.
Publications In the academic production, the effect of a large examination of PhD-students is shown in high production of PhD-thesis but also in conference publications during the last year of the period.
Development of staff 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
Professors
Senior staf
2010
2011
PhD Students
2012
2013
2014
Other
Development of funding 50 000 000 45 000 000 40 000 000 35 000 000 30 000 000 25 000 000 20 000 000 15 000 000 10 000 000 5 000 000 0 2005
2006
2007
Swedish Foundations
2008
2009
Faculty
2010
Research Councils
2011 EU-funds
2012
2013
2014
Direct Funding
Publications 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 2005
2006
2007 Journal articles
2008
2009 Conference articles
2010
2011
Licentiate Thesis
2012
2013
2014
PhD-thesis
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STC - Sensible Things that Communicate
3. arc 13 During 2013, Mid Sweden University performed an assessment of its entire research, Assessment of Research and Coproduction, ARC13.The two main purposes of ARC13 were to serve a reference for strategic decisions on future research profiles at the university and for the quality development of the research environment. An international scientific evaluation panel, one for each of the 9 research fields at the university, evaluated the STC research centre regarding scientific quality and societal relevance. Besides this an international generalist evaluation panel assessed the relevance of the research centers for the mission of the university from a cross-disciplinary perspective. In general, there was a positive outcome from the panel reports for the university. The international genera-
list evaluation panel concludes that all research centers contribute to a high extent to the regional mission of the university. In addition, all research centers show strong applied research and have well developed networks. Some have received the top grade ”excellent” on their scientific quality and relevance, and several of them received the grade ”very good” and ”good”. Overall, the Mid Sweden University researchers show high competence and are judged as very productive. ARC13 has also identified areas of improvements. Such an area is strategy and the need to better formulate and implement visions, strategies, goals etc. in the daily activities. For STC the ARC13 evaluation has been a major drive for developing the strategic work.The results shows that both research and the collaboration at STC received very high ratings. But it also provided important tools to identify the need of strategic development.
Summary of the general assessment for STC Quality of research As a regional research centre, the quality of research at STC is very good. To achieve internationally recognized research quality it requires publishing of papers in higher quality conferences and journals. As Mid Sweden University is a relatively small university on the world stage, it is wise to focus research efforts in areas that have a significant impact on the regional and national economy, especially in light of the focus within Swedish research funding agencies to support research that includes industrial collaboration. Grade: Very good – Nationally leading and internationally good and recognized.
Productivity Researchers at both electronics and computer science have a reasonable productivity with an average of 5.03 peer-reviewed publications per year per researcher at STC. The issuing of 11 patents to researchers working at the STC during the period 2007 to 2013 (almost 2 patents per year) is a good indicator of the high productivity and originality of the research taking place at STC. Grade: Very good – Nationally leading and internationally good and recognized.
Research environment and infrastructure There is a need for more space and collocating the research units in computer science and electronics. The proposed increased collaboration between STC and FSCN is a good idea, and will provide increased research capabilities. Grade: Good – Nationally good and internationally promising.
Research networks and collaborations Regional non-academic collaboration is excellent, and there is some national and international academic collaboration. The intensity and amount of national and international collaboration needs to increase significantly to achieve a higher national standing, and larger scale international funding. Achieving this collaboration requires a significant increase in high quality international conference participation and other scientific venues Grade: Very good – Nationally leading and internationally good and recognized.
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Annual report 2013-2014 - ARC13
Coproduction and external non-academic cooperation Fifty industrial partners is a significant number for only 16 full time employed researchers. Partners to STC are mainly national and regional, with a few international partners. The STC research centre is a very good example of regional industrial coproduction, with fundamental research also being done leading to spin-off companies.The research is mostly applied and not fundamental, with a focus on technology transfer. To achieve increased international coproduction requires a stronger focus on fundamental research, with a corresponding increase in quality. Grade: Excellent – Internationally leading quality and visibility.
Impact on society The constant stream of doctoral and licentiate degrees are very good, as is the creation of five spin-off companies employing around eight full-time people. This is a result of both the in-house support for intellectual property commercialization and integration with the regional innovation system. Creating 2 to 5 new companies per year requires a much broader base, with more researchers participating in considerably more successful and larger-scale research funding initiatives. Grade: Very good – Nationally leading and internationally good and recognized.
Strategies and plans for development and renewal in the Unit of Assessment The current vision statement is weak.The vision and goals must be more ambitious, especially in considering international recognition. It is a necessity to bring in fresh ideas by recruiting researchers educated by and participating in top research teams worldwide. Grade: Good – Nationally good and internationally promising.
Grades
Quality
Productivity
Infrastructure Collaborations Coproduction
Excellent Very good Good
Impact
Renewal
X X
X
X
X
X
X
Insufficient
The above table and sections below refer to the following scale: Excellent – Internationally leading quality and visibility. Very good – Nationally leading and internationally good and recognized. Good – Nationally good and internationally promising. Insufficient – The research does not meet basic scientific quality criteria at national level. Research activities should be revised.
Experts Prof. Bradford G. Nickerson, Prof. Manfred Glesner, Prof. Chunming Rong, Prof. Manos Tentzeris and Dr. Bernt I. Ericson.
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STC - Sensible Things that Communicate
4. stc and fscn – a kk-environment In 2013 Mid Sweden University was one of three higher education institutions in Sweden that was selected as a KK-Environments by the Knowledge Foundation. The KK-Environment aims at developing profiled research in coproduction with the industry. Within the KK-environment at Mid Sweden University the two research centers STC and FSCN co-operate interdisciplinary and by linking together these different research areas the KK-environment want to support renewal and innovativeness in the forest and IT industry.
The long term vision is described as ”Transforming the Industrial Ecosystem”.The transformation is important for the forest industry that is in need for new products due to a reduced demand for paper products. IT, on the other hand, is an engine of growth that creates completely new products and services. By connecting these two lines of business, researchers at STC and FSCN wants to create an industrial ecosystem with exciting prospects. Here below follows the press release that was sent out when Mid Sweden University formally was appointed as a KK-Environment by the Knowledge Foundation.
KK-environment for industrial innovation Mid Sweden University is one of three universities designated as a KK-Environment by the Knowledge Foundation after a thorough qualification process. Two of the university’s research centers, FSCN and STC, belongs to the KK-Environment. The Knowledge Foundation has chosen to support the work for ten years.
environments opening up for new thinking, thereby driving growth in both established and new businesses, continues Hans-Erik.
- It can be seen as a proof of quality in our way to develop our research, much like when a product is environmentally certified. This means that we can work strategically to develop our research and the collaborations with partners and industry, says Hans-Erik Nilsson dean at Mid Sweden University and coordinator for the KK-Environment.
- We already have many people involved in this, but the more people that are involved the more we can strengthen competitiveness and our various partnerships.You need to find synergies internally and externally, Hans-Erik Nilsson. concludes.
Some of the important strategic partners who collaborate with the KK-Environment are Fiber Optic Valley, Peak Innovation, Processum and BioBusiness Arena.
The development in research goes fast and the strategic work is a continuous process that takes place in collaboration with external partners in the community. In order to be appointed as a KK-Environment the requirements are that profiling and co-production permeates the research. - We have high ambitions to profile our research. They are formulated in the vision TIE - Transforming the Industrial Ecosystem. Transformation is important for the forest industry in our region, which needs to develop new products and new business areas, says Hans-Erik Nilsson. Information technology is a growth engine that creates new products and services. By linking these two industries new industrial networks will be created with exciting prospects regionally and nationally. Central to many of the projects are that they are conducted in co-production, which means that project teams have both academic and industrial members. It provides dynamic and interesting
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Hans-Erik Nilsson, dean at Mid Sweden University and coordinator KK-Environment
Annual report 2013-2014 - KK-Environment
Research projects within the KK-Environment in 2013-2014 Coexistence and Interference Avoidance for Industrial Wireless Applications (COINS) Period: 2011-2014 Partners: ABB Corporate Research, Shortlink AB
Modifying the wood chipping process Period: 2011-2014 Partners: SCA R&D Centre AB, Andritz Iggesund Tools AB, Saint-Gobain Abrasives AB
CTMP för kartong Period: 2011-2013 Partners: Stora Enso AB, SCA Östrand
On Rotor Embedded Sensor System (ORESS) Period: 2011-2014 Partners: Bosch Rexroth Group AB, Leine & Linde AB
Energy Efficient mechanical Pulping (E2MP) Project period: 2011-2017 Partners: Andritz AB, Holmen AB, Metso Paper Sundsvall AB, SCA R&D Centre AB, Stora Enso AB
Paper Solar Cells Project period: 2014-2016 Partners: Iggesund Paperboard AB, Superior Graphite Europé Ltd, Laser Cut AB, Laser Nova AB, STT Emtec AB,Vesta Si Europé AB, Sol Voltaics AB
Characterization of wood Disintegration Processes (Flis) Project period: 2014-2017 Partners: Andritz Iggesund Tools, Iggesund Paperboard, PulpEye Forest as a recource industrial college (Foric) Project period: 2014-2021 Partners: SCA R&D Centre, Ragn-Sells, Sundfrakt, Kiram, Frontway, Sundsvalls Energi,Valmet, PulpEye, Åkroken Science Park, Holmen, Iggesund Paperboard, Stora Enso Kvarnsveden, Tärnsjö Garveri, Sylvestris, Domsjö Aditya Birla, Skogforsk, Large areas for RFID identification, positioning and interaction (ID-POS) Project period: 2014-2017 Partners: IDAG Design Studio AB, Ovako Tube & Ring AB, Sandvik Materials Technology AB, Skultuna Flexible AB, Sweprod Graphics AB. IR-absorbatorer Period: 2011-2013 Partners: SenseAir AB KW Converter - High frequency medium power isolated Converters Project period: 2014-2017 Partners: Saab AB, Elektronikgruppen AB, Powerbox AB, Seps Technologies. Light-weight structural composites from fibre-based materials, reliability-based design Project period: 2014-2017 Partners: SCA R&D Centre AB
Onlinekarakterisering av bestrykning på kartong (Phase contrast) Period: 2011-2013 Partners: Iggesund Holmen Group AB, Mantex AB, Scint-X AB, MidDec Scandinavia AB Plenoptisk infångning och beräkningsbaserad fotografering (Plenocap) Project period: 2013-2015 Partners: Adopticum, Ericsson AB, LC-Tec, Optronic Robust wireless communication in harsch radio environment Project period: 2013-2015 Partners: ABB, AngloGold Ashanti, Boliden, LKAB, Swedish Connection. STC Industriell IT Period: 2011-2013 Partners: SenseAir, ABB Corporate Research, SCA R&D Centre AB, Saab Combitech, RTI, SiTek, Gunnebo Gateways,Visual Eyes New system integration tools for printed intelligence in packaging applications (SysPack) Period: 2011-2013 Partners: SCA R&D Centre AB, Oregon Scientific AB, Sweprod AB, WebShape AB Vätska-substrat växelverkan för tryckteknik: Ett nanoperspektiv (Ink Media Interaction) Period: 2013 Partners: Stora Enso, SCA R&D Centre AB, Metsä Board, MoRe Research, Sensient, Flint Grp, OCE
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STC - Sensible Things that Communicate
A stator-free Rpm Sensor In contrast to all other existing RPM sensors that are based on two coupled parts; stator and rotor a new RPM sensor has been developed within the research group Wireless Sensor Systems at STC. This new RPM sensor only consist of one part that is mounted on the rotating shaft (rotor) and this solution simplifies the sensor design and allows more flexibility in installation. One interesting property of this sensor is that it gives higher accuracy for higher RPMs. The research group develops wireless measurement systems for industrial monitoring and environmental monitoring. Sida 10
Annual report 2013-2014 - Events
5. events smart living 2013 – The Mid Nordic Sustainability Conference Smart Living is a meeting place for discussion of sustainable growth in focused areas. The conference was first held in spring 2013. At Smart Living the industry, academia and publicity met to jointly strengthen development priorities. Smart Living was carried out in broad collaboration between stakeholders in the Mid Nordic region called Green Highway. The region has an abundant supply of renewable energy sources like wind, water and forest. There is a good chance of creating a sustainable transport system in the Mid Nordic region. Conference start was launched with a lecture by Andreas Gyllenhammar, SWECO, on sustainability, business and growth. Andreas talked about the latest from the UN Summit Rio+20 and the front line is when it comes to sustainable cities of the future urban development and the challenges and opportunities that await companies , policy actors and R & D environments. This was followed by presentations and two workshops in sustainability. One part of the workshop contained se-
cond Communication with objects via cell phone, and the leader of that workshop was Johan Sidén, associate professor in electronics at STC. He talked about MobiSense, a project at Mid Sweden University, with its main funding from the European Union’s Regional Development Fund through Tillväxtverket. The project builds on the expertise since 2000 established in RFID technology and focuses on RFID technology called NFC (Near Field Communication) which is now integrated into more and more phones. That means that you can in an early stages utilize the technology that makes each of us always carry a RFID reader. In an other part of the workshop, the participants talked about New business opportunities and R & D needs in wind energy, and the workshop was held by Benny Thörnberg, Associate professor, lecturer and researcher at STC. The workshop was focused on a company’s needs in the development of their innovative gearbox for wind turbines. There are large start-up and maintenance costs of such lift down a transmission of about 20 tons with the help of a crane from a height of 100 meters down to the ground. A traditionally made gearbox for a wind turbine is basically no longer operating time than up to five years.
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STC - Sensible Things that Communicate
Researchers in 3D multimedia gathered for summer school 16-20 of June 2013, 45 researchers from all around Europe was gathered to a summer school in plenoptic at Mid Sweden University in Sundsvall. The Summer School for the theory of the light field and its applications to three-dimensional multimedia are led by internationally renowned scientists. Plenoptisk capture, signal processing and presentation is a research area where development is now moving quickly forward. The plenoptic field describes all the light rays, in a certain place, at a certain time of each optical aspect. If the field is completely known, all possible projections created in the form of pictures and videos with different perspectives, focus, exposure and depth of field, and therefore have a variety of applications. - Today’s plenoptic cameras where image sharpness can be adjusted later on leads to no more blur images. But the future promises more sophisticated applications, such as precise face recognition, personalized 3D TVs and industrial optical inspection, says Mårten Sjöström, professor of signal processing. The Summer School provides participants not only new knowledge but also the opportunity for new contacts and
Participants at the Plenoptisk Summer School.
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information about participants’ research fields, part of the school is to present their research to each other. Participants are engineers, graduate students and senior researchers in the field and the content consists of both practical and theoretical aspects. - Since 2007 the researchers at Mid Sweden University have investigated the techniques of 3D presentation. We investigate the limitations and developing new techniques for filming in special 3D formats for compressing data to efficiently utilize network resources, and delivering 3D video on the new screens in the best possible quality. Plenoptic is an area that is interesting for the future 3D techniques for both entertainment and industry, and as we add more and more time on, says Mårten Sjöström. Summer School held in the network of EU COST Action ”3D contournet” but also the County Administrative Board, the EU structural funds and the Foundation provides funding. The Summer School is sponsored by Ericsson Research.
Annual report 2013-2014 - Events
STC Expo 2013 – sustainability for business and growth With nearly a hundred visitors, the STC Expo conference was once again a highly appreciated event. This year´s theme “Sustainability for Business and Growth” showed how business can contribute to a more sustainable society.
Åsa Claesson, Acreo Swedish ICT discussed how ICT makes a difference. Acreo is producing, refining and industrializing research results. Åsa talked about some ways of making ICT sustainable and presented different projects within ACREO.
Exciting research from scientists at STC, FSCN,SWECO, and ACREO were presented and Pro&Pro presented their business strategy and ideas for a more sustainable business growth in the Sundsvall region.
The final lecturer was Tommy Ytterström, Founder and CEO at Pro&Pro, a management and consulting company. He discussed the possibilities with Internet of Things, IoT, and how to make new and efficient sustainable businesses with future sensor technology.
Andreas Gyllenhammar at SWECO, talked about Sustainable development and gave an update about why IT and smart cities is our greatest hope. The lecture gave an overview on sustainability development in IT and Andreas mixed both new trends, locally and globally, with business perspective for a greener future. Håkan Olin, Professor in Applied Physics at the research centre FSCN, Mid Sweden University, presented KM2 - paper that provides energy. Håkan talked about their KM2-vision and a first step towards super capacitors and solar cells on paper.
The day ended with an exhibition by the researchers at STC and the various companies and general exchange of ideas among the delegates. STC Expo is an annual conference arranged by the Research Centre STC in collaboration with Sundsvall 42. The conference consists of both internal and external speakers and an exhibition where STC researchers demonstrate their latest research. Sundsvall 42 is an IT conference arranged annually during week 42.
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STC - Sensible Things that Communicate
Business Innovation Day – a day where companies and researchers meet On May 21st 2014, STC arranged Business Innovation Day for the first time. It is a completely new concept for Mid Sweden University where the idea is to create a forum for researchers and industry. During a few hours they discussed solutions to corporate challenges, which might lead to new collaborations. The theme was Internet of Things, and about 25 entrepreneurs from ten different companies and 10 researchers from STC attended. The day began with presentations by Jonas DahlstrÜm, CEO of the innovation environment, Fiber Optic Valley. STC researcher Sebastian Bader, Ulf Jennehag and Najeem Lawal also presented some of their research in the Internet of Thing field. After the session it was time for workshops where companies and researchers matched up according to the area the challenge touched. Representatives from the company began by describing the problem that they are facing. Then they discussed possible solution areas with the researcher.What kind of obstacle there are, future development areas and what the next steps might
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be. The result of the day was very successful with many interesting discussions which in some cases already has led to continued cooperation. A formal feedback is sent to participating companies. This fall, the Business Innovation Day will be held again this time together with the IT conference Sundsvall 42. This time, the day will be more comprehensive, contain more businesses challenges and cover a larger area. The challenge will be in areas like sensor technology and communications, fibre-based materials and manufacturing processes. The company cases may for example be a product that needs to be developed, a new service or an approach that needs to be streamlined. Business Innovation Day gives your business the opportunity to use the researchers’ unique skills to create greater innovation and competitive advantage in the market.
Annual report 2013-2014 - Events
Science & Innovation days 2014 – A new research and innovation conference in Sundsvall A new two-day research and innovation conference called Science & Innovation Days was arranged in conjunction with the conference week Sundsvall 42. It is a yearly venue for research and industry that make it easier for companies to get in touch with researchers to find new development opportunities. The conference was organized on October 13-14th, 2014 by the two research centers STC and FSCN (Fibre Science and Communication Network) at Mid Sweden University together with innovation environments Fiber Optic Valley, BioBusiness Arena and Åkroken Business Incubator. The focus was on industrial renewal, with the goal to create a meeting place where innovation and growth is in the centre. The conference gave a boost to issues of the future in the region, industry, academia and the surrounding community. - We are several regional actors that in various ways work with important issues within industrial renewal and it’s very good that we now are collaborating on a joint confe-
rence to highlight these issues and get together to discuss important challenges and strategies of the future, says Mattias O ’Nils, head of STC. The conference included lectures from Annika Steiber, a researcher who studied why Google is one of the world’s most innovative companies, and Andreas Gyllenhammar, Sustainability Manager at SWECO. In addition, researchers from STC and FSCN presented the latest research news in the field of sensor-based systems and services (STC) and fiber-based materials and manufacturing processes (FSCN). - One hundred researchers from Mid Sweden University research centers participated at the conference. It was the first time we were making major investments and working together in this way. Our objective is that the conference will be repeated every year in Sundsvall, says Mattias O’Nils. It is also very pleasing that we can cooperate with Fiber Optic Valley and Åkroken Science Park in the conference. It provides good network both for researchers and for industry.
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STC - Sensible Things that Communicate
6. awards The STC researchers have, on several occasions, been noted in different competitions and ceremonies during 2013 and 2014. Here we highlight some of them.
best paper award The paper ”Disocclusion Handling Using Depth-Based Inpainting” by Ph.D, student Suryanarayana M. Muddala, Roger Olsson and Mårten Sjöström was awarded by Best Paper Award based on reviews of the original submission, the camera-ready version, and the presentation during The Fifth International conferences on Advances in Multimedia (MMEDIA 2013), April 21 - 26, 2013 held in Venice, Italy. Depth image based rendering (DIBR) plays an important role in producing virtual views using 3D-video formats such as video plus depth (V+D) and multi view-videoplus-depth (MVD). Pixel regions with non-defined values (due to disoccluded areas) are exposed when DIBR is used. In this paper, we propose a depth-based inpainting method aimed to handle Disocclusions in DIBR from V+D and MVD. Our proposed method adopts the curvature driven diffusion (CDD) model as a data term, to which we add a depth constraint. In addition, we add depth to further guide a directional priority term in the exemplar based texture synthesis. Finally, we add depth in the patch-matching step to prioritize background texture when inpainting. The proposed method is evaluated by comparing inpainted virtual views with corresponding views produced by three state-
Suryanarayana M. Muddala, Roger Olsson and Mårten Sjöström was rewarded for Best Paper at MMEDIA 2013 of-the-art inpainting methods as references.The evaluation shows the proposed method yielding an increased objective quality compared to the reference methods, and visual inspection further indicate an improved visual quality.
stc researcher awarded for rail safe at ”jag har en idé” At the contest ”Jag har en ide” the STC researchers won the category ”Best reseacher idea”. ”Jag har en idé” is an annual competition for anyone who has a good business idea. STCs researchers Ulf Jennehag, Patrik Österberg, Stefan Forsström, Victor Kardeby and Mattias O’Nils who won the category ”Best Researcher Idea” with their contribution ”Rail Safe”. Rail Safe is a service that provides personal safety along our railways and improve the working environment for the crew. The service is based on a distributed and offline monitoring nodes at specific vulnerable points along our railways. The key to this service is low installation cost and smart delivery.
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Patrik Österberg, Ulf Jennehag, received the prize check for Best Research Idea.
Annual report 2013-2014 - Awards
IMRAN AWARDED FOR HIS DEMO Muhammad Imran, PhD student at the STC Research Centre presented a Demo of his research work titled “Programmable and Energy Efficient Architecture for a Wireless Vision Sensor Node” in Second Short Spring School in Surveillance S5 held in University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy. The demo was awarded Best Prize with a monetary prize of 500 euro A VSN is expected to monitor its field of view for a long time on available limited energy supply. Therefore, low energy consumption is essential for greater lifetime. To meet this challenge, Imran presented an energy efficient and programmable architecture for VSN. Muhammad Imran with his VSN Camera Sentio.
STC professor - Entrepreneur of the year at sundsvall business awards Mattias O’Nils, professor in electronics at STC received the award Entrepreneur of the Year at Sundsvall Business Awards in September. He was rewarded for taking a unique innovation for the paper industry to the market. It´s about the paper meter OnTop that measures the paper topography continuously while it is produced. It gives the producer the opportunity to quickly correct any deficiencies in the quality. Earlier the quality has been measured by sampling and lab analysis, which in the worst cases have resulted in much waste in form of ready-made paper with deficiencies in the quality The jury motivates the price Entrepreneur of the Year with the ability to combine entrepreneurship, innovation and commercialization.
Iggesund Paperboard has already installed a paper topographic characterization and since they are regarded as a leader in paperboard production they all have high hopes that other paper manufacturers should follow their example.
Photo: Viktoria Engholm
Besides Mattias O’Nils the team behind the paper sensor, and now the company OnTop, consist of Anatoliy Manuilskiy, senior researcher at STC, Jan Thim, lecturer in electronics and Anders Rådberg, Business architect.
Mattias awarded as Entrepreneur of the year with OnTop.
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STC - Sensible Things that Communicate
Benny is the third best in Sweden Benny Thörnberg, researcher at STC, ended up in third place in the Researcher Grand Prix - a national competition where researchers from across the country compete in presenting their research in an entertaining and informative way in just four minutes. There were eight excited researchers who stepped into the rock club Debaser Medis stage floor in Stockholm. Their mission was to deliver the most compelling, inspiring and understandable presentation of their research in just four minutes. The road to the finals went through regional qualifying competitions earlier this fall. It was conducted in Borås, Göteborg Karlshamn, Lund, Malmö, Stockholm, Sundsvall Trollhättan and Västerås, as part of the science event ”Forskarfredag”.
Benny present his resarch in just four minutes for a thrilled audience.
In the finale the audience’s votes was considering equal with the reviews from the jury.The jury consisted of Nour El-Refai, actor and comedian, Patrick Hadenius, journalist and editor of Forskning och framsteg, and Göran Östlin, professor of astronomy at the University of Stockholm.
The contest aims to inspire researchers to communicate more about their research, so that it enters the public domain and benefit society. The national final was organized by the Vetenskap & Allmänhet and the Research Council Formas,Vetenskapsrådet and VINNOVA.
Researcher Grand Prix show that qualified research can be explained in an engaging way that is easy to understand.
Best Paper Award for SensibleThings platform STC researchers Stefan Forsström,Victor Kardeby, Patrik Österberg and Ulf Jennehag won the award for best paper at the International Conference on Digital Telecommunications (ICDT) in Nice, France. The paper is called “Challenges when Realizing a Fully Distributed Internet-of-Things - How we Created the SensibleThings Platform”. SensibleThings platform enable 50 billion devices to connect simultaneously and quickly exchange information. The platform can be used for everything from intelligent home to monitoring industrial processes. One application that the researchers highlighted in the paper is an application for measuring radon that where developed together with the company MidDec who, among others, manufactures radon meter. In the paper researchers also describes the developing process and the difficult challenges they encountered and solved. Unlike other platform solutions available on the market today SensibleThings can handle much higher data throughput. More information about the platform can be found at www.sensiblethings.se The conference called The Ninth International Conference on Digital Telecommunications and arranged by Iaria Sida 18
Victor Kardeby and Stefan Forsström two of the award winning writers. (International Academy, Research, and Industry Association). It was held in Nice, France, 23-27 February 2014 and was organized for the ninth year in a row within the broad field of digital telecommunications.
Annual report 2013-2014 - Awards
Best Paper award in South Korea In February Mikael Gidlund, professor at STC, together with four other researchers from Mälardalens University, Chalmers University of Technology and ABB Corporate Research was awarded for Best Paper at IEEE ICIT 2014 in Busan, South Korea. - ”It is a prestigious award so it’s of course great fun to receive!” Says Mikael Gidlund, Professor at STC At IEEE ICIT in South Korean the researchers presented a new method, ”Implementation and Evaluation of Error Control Schemes in Industrial Wireless Sensor Networks,” which improves the reliability of data transmission over wireless links in harsh industrial environments. Cost reduction and increased flexibility are the principal reasons for introducing Wireless Sensor Networks into industrial control applications. Nowadays there already exist several IWSN standards which provide a low rate and a low cost wireless communication.The main drawback with existing IWSNS is that they all fail to provide any advanced error-control mechanism to improve reliability. This new method has been developed in conjunction with ABB and is already available for the industry to use. Due to the sensitive communication signal, the reliability is increased and the memory footprint is decreased. - “The major consequences that may result from poor communication between sensors and actuators can be reduced by using this method. Signals from the nodes ensure that wrong things do not happen. It could be anything from
Professor Mikael Gidlund awarded in Busan, South Korea.
deviations in temperature, flow, pressure and in worse case potentially cause danger to humans or interrupt production which causes large economical loss”, says Mikael. The proposed solution incorporates Forward Error Control (FEC) Coding on the MAC layer without disrupting the packet format defined by the specifications. This will provide a smooth integration into existing specifications but also allows nodes that do not employ FEC to participate in the same network which is in existing technology impossible to achieve.
Kent’s research gives the region a boost Boost Innovation is a competition that wants to increase the innovation capacity in the region between Sundsvall and Gävle.The requirements to participate in the competition is to develop new ideas in cooperation with another company, university or public sector in any of the innovation environment Fiber Optic Valley’s business areas. Kent Bertilsson at STC participated in the competition with his company SEPS Technologies in collaboration with Inmec Network Technologies, which develops a new splicing method of fiber ducts to improve the technology and reduce costs at the fiber runs. The competition started on April 1st 2014 and on October 22nd the results was announced and Kent’s contribution was one of the three winners of 150 000 SEK. The jury commented: ”An innovation that create faster, more flexible and cheaper solutions for fiber installations.
Kent Bertilsson together with all winners at Boost Innovation. From left: Kent Bertilsson, Christine Hummelgård, SenseAir, Viktor Ell, Insitu, Joel Sundsted, Northlab, Åsa Claesson, Acreo Swedish ICT. The innovators efficient technique for pulling broadband in a manner that is revolutionizing the market. ” Sida 19
STC - Sensible Things that Communicate
7. Spinn-off companies and patents Innovation activities are an important complement to the research and collaboration within STC. It resulted in three patents and start-up of three new companies during this period. The new spinn-off companies are: OnTop Measurement AB OnTop works with online paper surface characterization. It measures the topography of the end of a path in real time. The meter can automatically monitor and log the topographic readings across the paper surface. In this way, each square meter of paper produced a mark of quality. OnTop was started in February 2013 after years of research. Sense Zone AB Sense Zone started in autumn 2013 and focus on the basis of innovations in the NFC connected sensors and smart RFID/NFC-based systems. EmZense AB EmZense is the latest spinn-off company started in late 2014. EmZense has a focus to commercialize integrated sensor solutions for industrial applications. Other spinn-off companies produced within STC: MidDec Scandinavia AB Produces a dose profile detector with 100 times higher sensitivity compared to present technology. Raybium AB Developing high performance optical fibres for fibre lasers. Raybium is a supplier of rare-earth (RE) doped fibers for fiber laser applications. Sensible Solutions AB Develop high frequency RFID antennas printed on paper with electrically conductive ink. Using Action Activated Tags (AAT) as a unique concept that introduced RFID tags incorporating printed sensors and at the same time combining the benefits of passive and active tags. SEPS Technologies AB A leader in high-frequency transformers for power conversion applications. SEPS transformers have a unique design enabling efficient switching mode power supplies (SMPS) in the 1-10MHz range.
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Annual report 2013-2014 - STC in media
8. STC in media In 2013-2014 STC has appeared frequently in the media.This has been, in the main, in the trade press but also in the local press and on the regional television. During the reported period, 16 press releases were sent to the media and all have been given publicity. During the summer period, when there is generally a shortage of news, extra efforts were made to provide the editors with relevant information. In addition to press releases, STC sends out a digital newsletter four times a year. The newsletter is sent out to all employees of the STC Research Centre, to all partners and to the industrial media. When STC Expo was organized in 2013 all lectures were recorded and uploaded on Youtube and on our website at STC. The lectures have been shown over 400 times on YouTube. Also at Science & Innovation Days all lectures were recorded and displayed at Youtube.
Press releases in 2014 2011-12-19
”23 miljoner till forskning vid Mittuniversitetet”
2014-11-26
” Bronsplats för Benny Thörnberg i Forskar Grand Prix”
2014-10-09
”Ny forsknings och innovationskonferens i Sundsvall”
2014-08-26
”Smarta gatljus testas i Sundsvall”
2014-09-18
”Mittuniversitetet lanserar ny MOOC”
2014-06-18
”Två miljoner för utveckling av haveridetector”
2014-05-08
”Ny metod för minskade underhållskostnader”
Press releases in 2013 2013-12-10
”Energismart bildbehandling för trådlösa kameror”
2013-11-11
”Mittuniversitetets forskning under lupp”
2013-09-26
”Mångmiljonsatsning på smarta e-tjänster”
2013-09-20
”Miun-professor blev årets entreprenör”
2013-06-28
”Värm upp inför STC Expo 2013”
2013-05-17
”Forskare i 3D-multimedia samlas för sommarskola”
2013-05-14
”Hyllade idéer prisades”
2013-04-10
”IT-utbildning vid Miun får stöd”
2013-03-14
”Mikrosensorer ger precision i mätningen”
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STC - Sensible Things that Communicate The future of 3d visualization The research group Realistic 3D is developing future 3D visualization for entertainment and industry, focusing on improving capture, compression and presentation technology by making use of sophisticated signal and image processing. The research group is now working with developing a visualization center at Mid Sweden University.
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Annual report 2013-2014 - PhD-exams
9. phd-exams Analysis and EMI Suppression of MHz frequency range Switch Mode Power Supplies A power supply is an essential part of almost every electronic device. The current trend is towards the miniaturization of these devices. It is thus desirable to reduce the size of the power supply by decreasing the size of the passive components such as inductors, capacitors and transformer, which can be achieved by increasing the switching frequency and power density. Switch Mode Power Supplies (SMPS) operating at higher switching frequencies offer significant size and weight reduction by replacing bulky line frequency magnetics with smaller high frequency magnetics. With the availability of modern and efficient power devices such as the CoolMOS and GaN power MOSFETs, it is possible to switch SMPS from several kHz to MHz range. The development of energy efficient multilayer PCB and hybrid core planner transformers is also a motivating factor in designing SMPS operating in MHz frequency range. This research work is an innovative step towards designing, implementation and analysis of emerging high frequency SMPS. The design, implementation and evaluation of energy efficient AC-DC and DC-DC isolated converter topologies switching in MHz frequency range are described in this dissertation. The auxiliary voltage feedback technique which is better alternate to the commonly used opto-coupler feedback is proposed for half bridge converter topology. The consequence of increased switching frequency is the production of undesirable electromagnetic emissions (EMI) which affects the Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) of the SMPS. The EMC is as important as the energy efficiency of a power converter and has become a compulsory requirement because of stringent EMC regulations such as International Special Committee on Radio Interference (CISPR) and Federal Communication Commission (FCC) etc. In order to comply with EMC standards, most power converters use input and output filters. It is a common perception that the EMI has worst effect on filter design in the converters switching in MHz frequency range than the converters operating below 150 kHz.When switching frequency of a converter is increased above 150 kHz, the fundamental frequency component also needs to be filtered. As a result of this the line filter size can get increased. Therefore in order to study the effects of increased switching frequency on filters design, the EMC analysis is performed by EMI measurements of different high frequency power converters. Different techniques are studied and implemented to suppress the conducted emission from these converters.
Dr. Majid Abdul Doctoral thesis Analysis and EMI Suppression of MHz frequency range Switch Mode Power Supplies Main supervisor Assoc. Prof. Kent Bertilsson Opponent Prof. Jorma Kyyr채 Aalto University, Finland Research group Power Electronics
In order to analyze the radiated emission from the power converter as well power cables, near field emission measurements are performed for a 3 MHz half bridge converter and the frequency spectrum of both E- and H-fields are analyzed. An output filter is proposed to reduce the emission from the secondary side cables. Since these converters are in initial design phase, the practical measurement results analyzed in this dissertation will be helpful in the final design.
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STC - Sensible Things that Communicate
Modelling, Optimization and Design of Visual Sensor Networks for Sky Surveillance A Visual Sensor Network (VSN) is a distributed system which is formed by combining many camera sensor nodes.The main components of a node are image sensor, embedded processor, wireless transceiver and energy supply. The major difference between a VSN and an ordinary sensor network is that a VSN generates two dimensional image data. VSNs can be deployed in many application areas like environmental monitoring, surveillance, traffic monitoring and industrial automation. In comparison to scalar sensor networks, the VSNs generate large amount of data. Therefore, they require more resources to process and communicate this data. This research focuses on the modelling, optimization and design of VSNs for sky surveillance applications. A taxonomy is developed to facilitate the design and classification of surveillance systems. It is based on behavioural, implementation, and actuation models. A number of surveillance systems were studied and analyzed on the basis of this taxonomy. The analysis proves the robustness of taxonomy. The taxonomy can be used as a tool for optimizing the design of surveillance systems which can results in reduced design efforts, implementation cost, and development time. An example case study of monitoring the eagles in wind parks is analyzed by using this taxonomy and solution space is explored to design a volumetric surveillance system for collision avoidance of eagles with wind mills. To implement the VSN for eagle surveillance system, two solutions are considered. In the first option, a VSN is designed to monitor a wind park area by considering it as a single entity. In the second option, the wind park area is divided into two areas: an outer ring area and the inner area. A VSN in the form of a tighter guard ring is designed for the surveillance of outer area and a relaxed VSN is designed for inner area. A VSN can be implemented by homogeneous design or heterogeneous design. The homogeneous VSN uses similar camera nodes while the heterogeneous VSN uses different types of nodes for different altitude layers. The design phases of a VSN model are presented which can be deployed to provide the surveillance solution for an area. The model explores a number of VSN design parameters like camera sensors type and its properties, optics, lower and higher monitoring altitudes, distance between monitoring nodes. When all these parameters are combined together in an optimized way they form a VSN which is able to fulfil a particular objective. The objective can be to detect, monitor or track an object. The VSN designed here is applied to monitor the movement of large objects in a wide area, such as eagles in the sky. The area to be covered is increased by increasing or decreasing the higher or lower monitoring altitudes, respectively. As the surveillance area is increased, the implementation cost of a VSN is also increased. However, the desired objective is opposite to that. The aim is to increase the surveillance area at a decreased implementation cost. To fulfil this objective, optimization techniques were developed which result in a heterogeneous VSN design. The techniques were applied to a particular case study. The analysis and evaluation of the results showed about 87% reduction in the implementation cost. The VSN models and optimization techniques are experimentally verified with actual cameras and optics.
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Dr. Naeem Ahmad Doctoral thesis Modelling, Optimization and Design of Visual Sensor Networks for Sky Surveillance Main supervisor Prof. Mattias O’Nils Opponent Prof. Arno Ruckelshausen Hochschule Osnabrßck, Germany Research group Visual Sensor System
Annual report 2013-2014 - PhD-exams
Development of embedded optical technique and device for real-time surface metrology using line of laser triangulation Application of machine vision technologies got rapid progress with the recent advancement in the high speed computing power which has led solution of many critical and complex tasks in the field of robotics, aerospace, medical, surveillance, remote sensing and inspection with emphasis on modern industrial automation. However, researchers are facing challenges especially for the real time measurement of the machine parts and the surface inspection. The online surface topography measurement in a paper and paperboard manufacturing industries is also one of the challenging research fields due to a number of reasons. Presently, the paper surface inspection and analysis is based on laboratory instrument which has certain obvious limitations due to offline measurements. Generally laboratory instruments are based on pneumatic, electric, mechanical and optical techniques including contact to non-contact methods. Recently many researchers have attempted to contribute in the development of the online measurement technique based on non-contact optical and image based measurement system (IBMS). A few online devices are available to inspect the surface defects, thus, there was a need to develop an online technique and device that can comprehensively measure the surface roughness and topography in the manufacturing floor which could lead to improve quality and reduce wastages. We have developed a non-contact optical based technique and a device called as OnTop which directly scans high speed paper-web surface and computes roughness and characterizes surface in a wide scale of spatial wavelengths. It was successfully tested in the paper and paperboard industries in Sweden in real time during the manufacturing process. This method has effectively distinguished a number of different grades of surfaces, for example, newspaper, light weight coated LWC, base paperboard, and fine coated paperboards. The developed technique is a new application for the paper industries and it is working on the principle of a line of light triangulation technique using two laser sources and three imaging sensors. The technique projects and scans a narrow laser line width onto the high speed moving paper web in the cross machine direction.The integration of optics, hardware, software, image processing and signal processing components made it possible to measure roughness and simultaneously characterise surface topography from 0.1 to 10 mm spatial wavelength in the harsh industrial environment. The wide scale topography covers surface properties such as micro roughness, macro roughness, cockling and waviness. Statistics shows surface roughness measurement uncertainty (22) in the OnTop is 0.05 4m for a smooth paper sample which provides 95% level of confidence in the result while measurements were done in the lab environment.
Dr. anzar alam Doctoral thesis Development of embedded optical technique and device for real-time surface metrology using line of laser triangulation Main supervisor Prof. Mattias O’Nils Opponent Prof. Consolatina Liguori University of Salerno, Italy Research group Visual Sensor System
The developed technique would be benefitted and implemented as a feedback loop in real time for continuous monitoring in order to improve the surface quality and ensuring smooth, uniform and efficient production. This thesis describes the research background, detailed of the novel technique, challenges, limitations and uncertainty in the system.
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High Frequence (MHz) Planar Transformers for Next Generation Switch Mode Power Supplies Increasing the power density of power electronic converters while reducing or maintaining the same cost, offers a higher potential to meet the current trend in relation to various power electronicapplications. High power density converters can be achieved by increasing the switching frequency, due to which the bulkiest parts, such as transformer, inductors and the capacitor’s size in the converter circuit can be drastically reduced. In this regard, highly integrated planar magnetics are considered as an effective approach compared to the conventional wire wound transformers in modern switch mode power supplies (SMPS). However, as the operating frequency of the transformers increase from several hundred kHz to MHz, numerous problems arise such as skin and proximity effects due to the induced eddy currents in the windings, leakage inductance and unbalanced magnetic flux distribution. In addition to this, the core losses which are functional dependent on frequency gets elevated as the operating frequency increases.Therefore, this thesis provides an insight towards the problems related to the high frequency magnetics and proposes a solution with regards to different aspects in relation to designing high power density, energy efficient transformers. The first part of the thesis concentrates on the investigation of high power density and highly energy efficient coreless printed circuit board (PCB) step-down transformers useful for stringent height DCDC converter applications, where the core losses are being completely eliminated. These transformers also maintain the advantages offered by existing core based transformers such as, high voltage gain, high coupling coefficient, sufficient input impedance, high energy efficiency and wide frequency bandwidth with the assistance of a resonant technique. In this regard, several coreless PCB step down transformers of different turn’s ratio for power transfer applications have been designed and evaluated. The designed multi-layered coreless PCB transformers for telecom and PoE applications of 8, 15 and 30W show that the volume reduction of approximately 40 - 90% is possible when compared to its existing core based counterparts while maintaining the energy efficiency of the transformers in the range of 90 - 97%. The estimation of EMI emissions from the designed transformers for the given power transfer application proves that the amount of radiated EMI from a multi layered transformer is less than that of the two layered transformer because of the decreased radius for the same amount of inductance. The design guidelines for the multilayered coreless PCB step-down transformer for the given power transfer application has been proposed. The designed transformer of 10mm radius has been characterized up to the power level of 50W and possesses a record power density of 107W/ cm3 with a peak energy efficiency of 96%. In addition to this, the design guidelines of the signal transformer for driving the high side MOSFET in double ended converter topologies have been proposed. The measured power consumption of the high side gate drive circuit together with the designed signal transformer is 0.37W.
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Dr. Radhika ambatipudi Doctoral thesis High Frequence (MHz) Planar Transformers for Next Generation Switch Mode Power Supplies Main supervisor Assoc. Prof. Kent Bertilsson Opponent Prof. Jesus Doval-Gandoy University of Vigo, ESP Research group Power Electronics
Annual report 2013-2014 - PhD-exams
On the Lifetime and Usability of Environmental Monitoring Wireless Sensor Networks Wireless sensor networks have been demonstrated, at an early stage in their development, to be a useful measurement technology for environmental monitoring applications. Based on their independence from existing infrastructures, wireless sensor networks can be deployed in virtually any location and provide sensor samples in a spatial and temporal resolution, which otherwise would only be achievable at high cost or involve significant work by humans. The feasibility of the usage of wireless sensor networks in real-world applications, however, is only maintained if certain technological challenges are overcome. Amongst these challenges, are the limited lifetime of the distributed sensor nodes, and user interfaces, which allow for the technology to be utilized in an efficient manner. Contributions to the solution of these challenges have been the objective of this thesis. After an analysis of the contributions wireless sensor networks can provide to the application domain of environmental monitoring, and the introduction to the restrictions, which are posed by a limited operational lifetime and low system usability, these issues are addressed at the system level of sensor node devices. The lifetime of sensor nodes, which is closely linked to the lifetime of the complete wireless sensor network, is addressed with regards to the energy efficiency of nodes, as well as the utilization of solar energy harvesting in order to increase the available energy resources. With respect to energy efficiency, an analysis has been performed of the contributions to the energy consumption of environmental monitoring sensor nodes, which leads to the desire to minimize the nodes’ duty cycles and quiescent currents. A sensor node design is presented, which features energy efficiency as a key attribute by utilizing modern semiconductor architectures. Moreover, an argument for the usage of synchronization-based, contention-free communication is made in order to reduce active communication periods and, thus, the duty cycle of a sensor node. A synchronization method with its focus on low protocol overhead is introduced as a basis for such communication forms.
Dr. Sebastian Bader Doctoral thesis On the Lifetime and Usability of Environmental Monitoring Wireless Sensor Networks Main supervisor Prof. Bengt Oelmann Opponent Dr. Kirk Martinez University of Southampton, GB Research group Wireless Sensor Systems
After an initial feasibility study in relation to using battery-less solar energy harvesting architectures in locations with limited solar irradiation, multiple architectural implementations are analyzed in a comparative manner. Among these comparisons is an analysis of short-term energy storage devices in the form of double-layer capacitors and thin-film batteries, which provide prolonged component lifetimes than those for conventional secondary batteries, but which can only buffer for short periods of time due to their limited energy capacity. In order to be able to dimension such energy harvesting systems with respect to the individual application constraints at hand, state of charge simulations are proposed.
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Characterization of Interface States & Radiation Damage Effects in Duo-lateral PSDs Using SEM Microscopy and UV Beam Profiling Techniques There has been an increase in the use of duo-lateral position sensitive detectors in practically every radiation and beam detection application. These devices unlike other light detection system utilize the effect of the lateral division of the generated photocurrent to measure the position of the integral focus of an incoming light signal. The performance of a PSD is impaired or strengthened by a number of events caused by parameters such as interface states and recombination introduced during the fabrication of the detector and/or its absorption of ionizing particles. This thesis show the results from the successful implementation of alternative characterization methods of these effects and parameters using scanning electron microscopy and UV beam profiling techniques on duo-lateral position sensitive detectors (PSDs). To help create the groundwork for the research content of this thesis, different technical reviews of previous studies on interface states, surface recombination velocity and radiation damage due to continuous absorption of ionizing particles on detectors are investigated. The thesis also examines published theoretical and measurement techniques used to characterize these surface/interface phenomena. The PSDs used in this research were developed using silicon technology and the various methodologies put into the fabrication of the detectors (n+p and p+n doped) were fashioned after the simulated models. The various steps associated with the cleanroom fabrication and the prior simulation steps are highlighted in the content of the thesis. Also discussed are the measurement techniques used in characterizing the fixed oxide charge, surface recombination and the position deviation error of the PSDs in a high vacuum environment of a scanning electron microscope SEM chamber. Using this method, the effects of interface states and surface recombination velocity on the responsivity of differently doped PSDs were investigated. By lithographically patterning grid-like structures on n+p doped PSD and using sweeping electrons from the SEM microscope, a very high linearity over the two-dimensions of the PSD total active area was observed. The lithographically patterned grids helped eliminate further external measurement errors and uncertainties from the use of other typical movable measurement devices such as actuators and two-dimensional adjusters which would normally be difficult to install in a remote vacuum chamber. In a similar vein, field plate and field rings were patterned around an array of the PSDs used as pixel detector(s). By studying the interpixel resistance and breakdown characteristics, the most effective structural arrangement of the field plate and field rings used to curb induced inversion channel between then+ doped regions of the pixel-detector is observed. Finally, by using UV beam profiling after the irradiation of UV (193 nm or 253 nm) beam on n+p and p+n doped PSDs, the degree of radiation damage was also investigated. The results obtained help to illustrate how prolonged UV radiation can impact on the linearity and the position deviation/error of UV detectors.
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Dr. Omeime Esebamen Doctoral thesis Characterization of Interface States & Radiation Damage Effects in Duo-lateral PSDs Using SEM Microscopy and UV Beam Profiling Techniques Main supervisor Assoc. Prof. Gรถran Thungstrรถm Prof. Hans-Erik Nilsson Opponent Professor Harry J Withlow, University of Applied Sciences in La Chauxde-Fonds, Switzerland Research group Radiation Sensor Systems
Annual report 2013-2014 - PhD-exams
Enabling Fully Distributed Global Services on the Internet-of-Things The focus of this thesis is the enabling of Internet-of-Things (IoT) applications that exchange sensor and actuator information on a global and ubiquitous scale. The main challenge is to create a common architecture suitable for different types of IoT applications. So far, proprietary and centralized solutions have dominated related work, although an open and distributed approach offers better support for a global IoT. Therefore, the focus in this thesis is on fully distributed middleware approaches and architectures for disseminating information on a global scale between ubiquitously connected entities. In addition to this, there is an impending information overload that needs to be avoided, where the amount of produced sensor information greatly succeeds the usefulness and possible utilization of each individual value. The problem is split into three concrete goals, where the first one surveys the current trends for creating IoT applications. In order to determine their demands on the underlying support and propose an approach for enabling next generation services. The second goal is to implement the proposed approach as a fully functional application platform. Finally, the last goal is to suggest mechanisms to manage resource limitations in order to avoid an information overload. The obtained results include an implemented IoT platform with ubiquitously connected devices that can globally share information between each other in a scalable manner. The platform utilizes a fully distributed architecture and is extended with low cost protocols that only communicate relevant information when it is needed, thus improving the longevity and performance of services based on the IoT. Therefore, the main contribution made by this thesis is that fully distributed architectures outperform other architectures when it comes to global and ubiquitous IoT services. The impact of this work is thus that it highlights the problems associated with poorly scaling architectures, which might be profitable as walled garden solutions but are inferior when it comes to global IoT services.
Dr. Stefan ForstrĂśm Doctoral thesis Enabling Fully Distributed Global Services on the Internet-of-Things Main supervisor Prof. Mikael Gidlund Opponent Prof. Antonio Corradi University of Bologna, Italy Research group Sensor-based Services
Based on the results obtained and the experiences learned in the architectural evaluation study, an FPGA-based high-performance wireless sensor platform, the SENTIOF, is designed and developed. In addition to performance, the SETNIOF is designed to enable dynamic optimization of energy consumption. This includes enabling integrated modules to be completely switched off and providing a fast configuration support to the FPGA. In order to validate the results of the evaluation studies, and to assess the performance and energy consumption of real implementations, both the vibration and image-based industrial monitoring applications are realized using the SENTIOF. In terms of computational performance for both of these applications, the real-time processing goals are achieved. For example, in the case of vibration-based monitoring, real-time processing performance for tri-axes (horizontal, vertical and axial) vibration data are achieved for sampling rates of more than 100 kHz. With regards to energyconsumption, based on the measured power consumption that also includes the power consumed during the FPGA’s configuration process, the operational lifetimes are estimated using a single cell battery (similar to an AA battery in terms of shape and size)with a typical capacity of 2600 mA. In the case of vibration-based condition monitoring, an operational lifetime of more than two years can be achieved for duty-cycle interval of 10 minutes or more. The achievable operational lifetime of image-based monitoring is more than 3 years for a duty-cycle interval of 5 minutes or more. Sida 29
STC - Sensible Things that Communicate
Antenna Based Passive UHF RFID Sensor Tags RFID, as a low cost technology with a long life time, provides great potential for transmitting sensor data in combination with the ordinary ID number. The sensor can be integrated either in the chip or in the antenna of an RFID tag.This thesis focuses on the design of low cost antennabased UHF RFID sensor tags and the applications are mainly targeted on remote humidity sensing. Antenna-based sensory UHF RFID tags utilize the influence of the sensing physical parameters on the electrical properties of a tag antenna. The variations of the electrical properties of the tag antenna can be measured by many ways. In this thesis, it is described how these variations are normally measured by an RFID reader without any other assistant equipments. In this thesis, three structures of antenna-based RFID sensor tags are presented and characterized. The first one utilizes the sensitivity of the antenna to the surrounding environment to construct RFID sensor tags. In this concept, the moisture absorbing material serves as wetness/ humidity sensor and is placed on the RFID tag antenna to increase the humidity concentration surrounding the tag antenna. The second one directly integrates the small volume sensor element into RFID tag antenna and the sensor information can thus modulate the antenna performance through galvanic contact. The third one embeds the small volume sensor element into a loop which is positioned on top of tag antenna and the sensor information can thus modulate the performance of the tag antenna by means of electromagnetic coupling. Both theoretical analysis and full wave simulations are presented, for the later two sensor tag structures, to characterize the performance of the sensor tags. An ultra-low cost humidity sensor with memory functionality is designed for integrating into the RFID tags through galvanic contact or electromagnetic coupling. The sensor is a 1-bit writeonce- read-many (WORM) memory printed using conductive ink based upon nano-sized silver particles. The WORM works as a pure resistive humidity sensor and can tell the historical event. The WORM sensor is presented through introducing the its geometry, characterizing its behavior in humidity and explaining the principle of the humidity effect. The WORM sensors are also integrated into the RFID tags by means of both galvanic contact and electromagnetic coupling in order to experimentally verify the two concepts. To lower the cost of the RFID tags, the antennas are normally printed on flexible substrates using low-cost high-speed manufacturing methods which are commonly associated with high roughness. In the last chapter, the effect of the edge roughness on the antenna is investigated.
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Dr. JINLAN GAO Doctoral thesis Antenna Based Passive UHF RFID Sensor Tags Main supervisor Dr. Johan SidĂŠn Prof. Hans-Erik Nilsson Opponent Prof. Emmanouil Tentzeris School of ECE, Georgia Tech, USA. Research group Printed Sensor System
Annual report 2013-2014 - PhD-exams
Energy Efficient and Programmable Architecture for Wireless Vision Sensor Node Wireless Vision Sensor Networks (WVSNs) is an emerging field which has attracted a number of potential applications because of smaller per node cost, ease of deployment, scalability and low power stand alone solutions. WVSNs consist of a number of wireless Vision Sensor Nodes (VSNs). Individual VSN has limited resources such as embedded processing platform, power supply, wireless radio and memory. In presence of these limited resources, a VSN is expected to perform complex vision tasks for a long duration of time without battery replacement/recharging. Currently, reduction of processing and communication energy consumptions have been major challenges for battery operated VSNs. Another challenge is to propose generic solutions for a VSN so as to make these solutions suitable for a number of applications. To meet these challenges, this thesis focuses on energy efficient and programmable VSN architecture for machine vision systems which can classify objects based on binary data. In order to facilitate generic solutions, a taxonomy has been developed together with a complexity model which can be used for systems’ classification and comparison without the need for actual implementation. The proposed VSN architecture is based on tasks partitioning between a VSN and a server as well as tasks partitioning locally on the node between software and hardware platforms. In relation to tasks partitioning, the effect on processing, communication energy consumptions, design complexity and lifetime has been investigated. The investigation shows that the strategy, in which front end tasks up to segmentation accompanied by a bi-level coding are implemented on Field Programmable Platform (FPGA) with small sleep power, offers a generalized low complexity and energy efficient VSN architecture. The implementation of data intensive front end tasks on hardware reconfigurable platform reduces processing energy. However, there is a scope for reducing communication energy, related to output data. This thesis also explores data reduction techniques including image coding, region of interest coding and change coding which reduces output data significantly.
Dr. Imran Muhammad Doctoral thesis Energy Efficient and Programmable Architecture for Wireless Vision Sensor Node Main supervisor Prof. Mattias O’Nils Opponent Prof. Bernhard Rinner Alpen-Adria Universität, Austria Research group Visual Sensor System
For proof of concept, VSN architecture together with tasks partitioning, bi-level video coding, duty cycling and low complexity background subtraction technique has been implemented on real hardware and functionality has been verified for four applications including particle detection system, remote meter reading, bird detection and people counting.The results based on measured energy values shows that, depending on the application, the energy consumption can be reduced by a factor of approximately 1.5 up to 376 as compared to currently published VSNs. In addition to this, proposed VSN offers generic architecture with smaller design complexity on hardware reconfigurable platform and offers easy adaptation for a number of applications as compared to published systems.
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Fibre-optic displacement and temperature sensing using coupling based intensity modulation and polarisation modulation techniques In this thesis, new concepts for intensity modulated fibre-optic sensors based on coupling between fibres are presented, analysed, simulated and experimentally verified. From a low-cost and standard component perspective, alternative designs are proposed and analysed using modulation function simulations and measurements, in order to find an improved performance. Further, the development and installation of a temperature sensor system for industrial process monitoring is presented, involving aspects with regards to design, calibration, multiplexing and fibre network installation. The OTDR is applied as an efficient technique for multiplexing several coupling based sensors, and sensor network installation with blown fibre in microducts is proposed as a flexible and cost-efficient alternative to traditional cabling. As a solution to alignment issues in coupling based sensors, a new displacement sensor configuration based on a fibre to a multicore fibre coupling and an image sensor readout system is proposed. With this concept a high-performance sensor setup with relaxed alignment demands and a large measurement range is realised. The sensor system performance is analysed theoretically with complete system simulations, and an experimental setup is made based on standard fibre and image acquisition components. Simulations of possible error contributions show that the experimental performance limitation is mainly related to differences between the modelled and the real coupled power distribution. An improved power model is suggested and evaluated experimentally, showing that the experimental performance can be improved down towards the theoretical limit of _ 1 Îźm. Fibre-optic displacement and temperature sensing using coupling based intensity modulation and polarisation modulation techniques. The potential of using filled side-hole fibres and polarisation analysis for point and distributed detection of temperature limits is investigated as a complement to existing fibre-optic heat detection systems.The behaviour and change in birefringence at the liquid/solid phase transition temperature for the filler substance is shown and experimentally determined for side-hole fibres filled with water solutions and a metal alloy, and the results are supported by simulations. A point sensor for on/off temperature detection based on this principle is suggested. Further the principles of distributed detection by measurements of the change in beat length are demonstrated using polarisation OTDR (POTDR) techniques. It is shown that high-resolution techniques are required for the fibres studied, and side-hole fibres designed with lower birefringence are suggested for future studies in relation to the distributed application.
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Dr. Johan jason Doctoral thesis Fibre-Optic displacement and temperature sensing using coupling based intensity modulation and polarisation modulation techniques Main supervisor Prof. Hans-Erik Nilsson Opponent Prof. Werner Daum, Bundesanstalt fĂźr Materialforschung und prĂźfung (BAM), Berlin, Germany Research group Wireless Sensor Network
Annual report 2013-2014 - PhD-exams
Intelligence Partitioning and Data Reduction in Wireless Visual Sensor Networks Wireless Visual Sensor Network (WVSN) is formed by deploying many Visual Sensor Nodes (VSNs) in the field. The individual VSN contains an image sensor, on board processor, storage capacity, energy resource and wireless communication link. In comparison to the traditional wireless sensor networks, which operate on one dimensional data, the WVSN operates on two dimensional data which requires fast processing unit and large communication bandwidth.The research focus within the field of WVSN has been on the two extremes, involving either sending raw compressed data to the Central Base Station (CBS) without local processing or conducting all processing locally at the VSN and transmitting only the final results. The research work in this thesis focuses on balancing the processing load between hardware and software implementation at the VSN as well as partitioning tasks between local and central processing.The lifetime of the VSN is predicted by evaluating the energy requirement of the embedded platform with a combination of a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) and a microcontroller for the implementation of the VSN. The main contribution of this thesis includes the exploration of the intelligence partitioning strategies between VSN and the CBS as well as the architecture for the implementation of the VSN. Based on the proposed architecture, the various data reduction techniques such as image coding change coding and Region of Interest (ROI) coding are explored for reducing the output data and, ultimately, reducing the energy consumption of each of the VSN. The effect of packets receiving/forwarding and node density in a multi-hop network on implementation issues of the VSN has also been explored. Advancements in FPGAs have been the motivation behind their choice as the vision processing platform for implementing the VSN. This choice is based on its reduced time-to-market, low Non-Recurring Engineering (NRE) cost and programmability as compared to Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs).The other part of the architecture of the VSN is the Sentio32 platform, which is used for vision processing in the software implementation and for communicating the results in the hardware implementation.
Dr. Khursheed khursheed Doctoral thesis Intelligence Partitioning and Data Reduction in Wireless Visiual Sensor Networks Main supervisor Prof. Mattias O’Nils Opponent Prof. Johan Lilius Åbo Akademi, Finland Research group Visual Sensor System
Results show that the intelligence partitioning strategy in which the pixel based image processing tasks are performed using FPGA and the compressed results are transmitted to the CBS for further processing, is the best strategy. For compressing the data at the VSN, the best approach is to use CCITT Group 4 compression method in combination with change coding and ROI coding. The selected intelligence partitioning strategy reduces the computation energy consumption and the compression approach reduces the communication energy consumption.The overall effect is the reduced total energy consumption, which increases the lifetime of the VSN.
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research that saves eagles Expansion of wind power and the construction of new wind power turbines must be done with the smallest possible impact on environment. It has turned out that if turbines are placed at bad locations, eagles could get killed when being hit by turbine blades. This has motivated the wind power industry to support research in technology for survey and surveillance of eagles. The research group Visual Sensor Systems is developing new novel technology for surveillance of large volumes of sky. Networks of visual sensor nodes are suggested to be used for such systems.
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Annual report 2013-2014 - PhD-exams
High Frequenzy (MHz) Resonant Converters using GaN HEMTs and Novel Planar Transformar Technology The increased power consumption and power density demands of modern technologies have increased the technical requirements of DC/DC and AC/DC power supplies. In this regard, the primary objective of the power supply researcher/engineer is to build energy efficient, high power density converters by reducing the losses and increasing the switching frequency of converters respectively. Operating the converter circuits at higher switching frequencies reduces the size of the passive components such as transformers, inductors, and capacitors, which results in a compact size, weight, and increased power density of the converter. Therefore, the thesis work is focussed on the design, analysis and evaluation of isolated converters operating in the 1 - 5MHz frequency region with the assistance of the latest semi conductor devices, both coreless and core based planar power transformers designed in Mid Sweden University and which are suitable for consumer applications of varying power levels ranging from 1 – 60W. In high frequency converter circuits, since the MOSFET gate driver plays a prominent role, different commercially available MOSFET gate drivers were evaluated in the frequency range of 1 - 5MHz in terms of gate drive power consumption, rise/fall times and electromagnetic interference (EMI) and a suitable driver was proposed. Initially, the research was focused on the design and evaluation of a quasi resonant flyback converter using a multilayered coreless PCB step down transformer in the frequency range of 2.7 – 4MHz up to the power level of 10W. The energy efficiency of this converter is found to be 72 - 84% under zero voltage switching conditions (ZVS). In order to further improve the energy efficiency of the converter in the MHz frequency region, the new material device GaN HEMT was considered. The comparisons were made on a 45 - 15V quasi resonant flyback DC-DC converter using both the Si and GaN technology and it was found that an energy efficiency improvement of 8 – 10% was obtained with the GaN device in the frequency range of 3.2 – 5MHz. In order to minimize the gate drive power consumption, switching losses and to increase the frequency of the converter in some applications such as laptop adapters, set top box etc., a cascode flyback converter using a low voltage GaN HEMT and a high voltage Si MOSFET was designed and evaluated using a multi-layered coreless PCB transformer in the MHz frequency region. Both the simulation and experimental results have shown that, with the assistance of the cascode flyback converter, the switching speeds of the converter can be increased with the benefit of obtaining a significant improvement in the energy efficiency as compared to that for the single switch flyback converter.
Dr. Hari babu kotte Doctoral thesis High Frequenzy (MHz) Resonant Converters using GaN HEMTs and Novel Planar Transformar Technology Main supervisor Assoc. Prof. Kent Bertilsson Opponent Prof. Noel Shammas, Staffordshire University, GB Research group Power Electronics
In order to further maximize the utilization of the transformer, to reduce the voltage stress on MOSFETs and to obtain the maximum power density from the converter circuit, double ended topologies were considered. Due to the lack of high voltage high side gate drivers in the MHz frequency region, a gate drive circuitry utilising the multi-layered coreless PCB signal transformer was designed and evaluated in both a half-bridge and series resonant converter (SRC).
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Real-time Optical Position Sensing on FPGA Machine vision systems are becoming increasingly popular in automated surveillance, the process control industry and in robotic navigation. The advancements in the machine vision system are due to technological developments in optical engineering and processing platforms. Time critical and battery operated machine vision systems should have low power consumption and a short response time to external events, which demands robust and efficient hardware architectures. The focus of this thesis is a presentation of a real-time machine vision system for optical positioning. Optical positioning has capture4d the interest of many researchers due to the rapid development in optical engineering and the advancement in real-time processing platform. Real-time optical positioning has become more significant, particularly in environments there Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals are attenuated and their accuracy is low. Real-time optical positioning is well suited to the mobile robotic application such as logistics and transport application in large warehouses and robotic inspection in harsh environments such as in nuclear and biological plats. Real-time optical positioning requires a good reference structure, an image sensor and a processing architecture. The reference symbol was designed, with the focus on the hardware computation platform. Firstly, there is a presentation of the hardware architecture for the connected image component labeling and feature extraction. The targeted application area involves light spots or reference symbols which are uses as references for robotic navigation. The developed architecture has a high frame speed and a low latency. The developed architecture contains basic image component features such as Centre of Gravity (COG), area and bounding box. The architecture can be further extended with additional components as per an application requirement. The synthesis results show that it is possible to process up to 390 frames per second of size 640x480 pixels. The developed architecture suits the smart camera application where only processed and refined information is used for decision making or transmission to the base station. Three smart camera architectures are also evaluated and recommendations are provided in relation to their usage depending on the performance requirement. The three smart camera architectures chosen for evaluation are: commercially available software base smart camera, smart camera system using single Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA) chip having hardware modules and soft-core processor and a smart camera system using hardware modules on a FPGA and an external microcontroller. Secondly, the designing of a reference symbol is presented, which is suitable for optical navigation. The selection of foreground and background colors used to print the reference symbols was optimized. Experiments show a slightly smaller SNR for the color symbols as compared to those obtained then using a monochrome technique. However, the number of segmented image components is significantly reduced by up to as much as 79 percent as compared to the case when using a monochrome technique. The designed symbol is circular in shape and contains eight bit information.The experimental results show the symbol is rotationally independent and can be decoded correctly up to a distance of 10,7 meter at a 90º
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Dr. Waheed Malik Doctoral thesis Real-time Optical Position Sensing on FPGA Main supervisor Prof. Mattias O´Nils Assoc. Prof, Benny Thörnberg Opponent Prof. Daniel Crookes, Queen´s University, Belfast Research group Visual Sensor Networks
Annual report 2013-2014 - PhD-exams
angle of the image sensor to the reference symbol. Camera calibration is also performed when known symbol position. The camera can be positioned in a corridor with an absolute error of 3 cm with regard to position and an 8ยบ in rotation along the z-axis. Finally, the real-time decoding of the designed reference symbol based on hardware-software co-designed platform will be presented. The data component labeling, feature extraction and Region Of Interest (ROI) in a segmented image have been captured at the register transfer level. The less data intensive processing is handled by a 32 bit micro-controller.
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Power Electronics for - and Modelling of - Resistance Welding Equipment Resistance spot welding is an inexpensive and efficient way of joining metals. It has extensive applications in household appliances and in automotive industries. In traditional spot welding machines 50 Hz welding transformers are commonly used. The drawback associated with these transformers is that they are both heavy and bulky. With the development of high power semiconductor switches and DCDC converter topologies, it is now possible to develop inverter drive resistance spot welding equipment (RSE) which can be operated at frequencies higher than the 50 Hz frequency. The advantage of using high frequencies is the reduction in the size of the transformer. In many industrial applications long welding arms are required between the transformer and the weld spot, which increases the inductance. The parasitic inductance in welding arms limits the maximum rate of change of the current. In order to achieve a higher power the current has to be rectified. To rectify a current of the order of a tenth of kA is a challenging task and is one of the major sources of loss. The full bridge converter topology is used for the inverter drive RSE. The power switches used in the converter are IGBT. In RSE, the DC link capacitors are used to store high energy. In the case of circuit failure, the stored energy can cause the IGBT device to rupture and in order to avoid this, a protection scheme is discussed in this work.
Dr. Jawad Saleem Doctoral thesis Power Electronics for - and Modelling of - Resistance Welding Equipment Main supervisor Assoc. Prof. Kent Bertilsson
A controller circuit, using a DSPIC33FJ16GS502 controller, is developed in order to drive a high frequency full bridge converter, which can also be used to drive the IGBTs in the RSE.
Opponent Prof. Drago Dolinar University of Maribor, Slovenia
The secondary side welding current is of the order of kilo amperes. A requirement for the welding control is that the current must be sensed precisely and in order to fulfill this, a Hall sensor system has been developed. This developed circuit is used in the feed-back control of the RSE. The presence of metallic objects and tools in the vicinity of the Hall sensor system can affect its precision. The exclusion distance for the metal objects from the sensor by means of a model developed in COMSOL Multi-physics software has been estimated.
Research group Power Electronics
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Annual report 2013-2014 - PhD-exams
Gaining depth - Time-of-flight sensor fusion for three-dimensional video content creation The successful revival of three-dimensional (3D) cinema has generated a great deal of interest in 3D video. However, contemporary eyewear-assisted displaying technologies are not well suited for the less restricted scenarios outside movie theaters. The next generation of 3D displays, autostereoscopic multiview displays, overcome the restrictions of traditional stereoscopic 3D and can provide an important boost for 3D television (3DTV).Then again, such displays require scene depth information in order to reduce the amount of necessary input data. Acquiring this information is quite complex and challenging, thus restricting content creators and limiting the amount of available 3D video content. Nonetheless, without broad and innovative 3D television programs, even next-generation 3DTV will lack customer appeal. Therefore simplified 3D video content generation is essential for the medium’s success. This dissertation surveys the advantages and limitations of contemporary 3D video acquisition. Based on these findings, a combination of dedicated depth sensors, so-called Time-of-Flight (ToF) cameras, and video cameras, is investigated with the aim of simplifying 3D video content generation. The concept of Time-of-Flight sensor fusion is analyzed in order to identify suitable courses of action for high quality 3D video acquisition. In order to overcome the main drawback of current Time-of-Flight technology, namely the high sensor noise and low spatial resolution, a weighted optimization approach for Time-of-Flight super-resolution is proposed. This approach incorporates video texture, measurement noise and temporal information for high quality 3D video acquisition from a single video plus Time-of-Flight camera combination. Objective evaluations show benefits with respect to state-of-the-art depth upsampling solutions. Subjective visual quality assessment confirms the objective results, with a significant increase in viewer preference by a factor of four. Furthermore, the presented super-resolution approach can be applied to other applications, such as depth video compression, providing bit rate savings of approximately 10 percent compared to competing depth upsampling solutions. The work presented in this dissertation has been published in two scientific journals and five peer-reviewed conference proceedings. %In addition, the super-resolution approach has been granted patent protection.
Dr. Sebastian Schwarz Doctoral thesis Gaining depth - Time-of-flight sensor fusion for three-dimensional video content creation Main supervisor Prof. Mårten Sjöström Dr. Roger Olsson Opponent Prof. Reinhard Koch, Christian Albrechts University Kiel, Germany Research group Realistic 3D
In conclusion, Time-of-Flight sensor fusion can help to simplify 3D video content generation, consequently supporting a larger variety of available content. Thus, this dissertation provides important inputs towards broad and innovative 3D video content, hopefully contributing to the future success of next-generation 3DTV.
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Energy Efficient Hardware Architecture for Data and Computation Intensive Wireless Monotoring Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs), in addition to enabling monitoring solutions for numerous new applications areas, have gained huge popularity as a cost-effective, dynamically scalable, easy to deploy and maintainable alternatives to conventional infrastructure-based monitoring solutions. A WSN consists of spatially distributed autonomous wireless sensor nodes that measure desired physical phenomena and operate in a collaborative manner to relay the acquired information wirelessly to a central location. A wireless sensor node, integrating the required resources to enable infrastructure-less distributed monitoring, is constrained by its size, cost and energy. In order to address these constraints, a typical wireless sensor node is designed based on low-power and low-cost modules that in turn provide limited communication and processing performances. Data and computation intensive wireless monitoring applications, on the other hand, not only demand higher communication bandwidth and computational performance but also require practically feasible operational lifetimes so as to reduce the maintenance cost associated with the replacement of batteries. In relation to the communication and processing requirements of such applications and the constraints associated with a typical wireless sensor node, this thesis explores energy efficient wireless sensor node architecture that enables realiz ation of data and computation intensive applications. Architectures enabling raw data transmission and in-sensor processing with various technological alternatives are explored. The potential architectural alternatives are evaluated both analytically and quantitatively with regards to different design parameters, in particular, the performance and the energy consumption. For quantitative evaluation purposes, the experiments are conducted on vibration and image-based industrial condition monitoring applications that are not only data and computation intensive but also are of practical importance. Regarding the choice of an appropriate wireless technology in an architecture enabling raw data transmission, standard based communication technologies including infrared, mobile broadband, WiMax, LAN, Bluetooth, and ZigBee are investigated. With regards to in-sensor processing, different architectures comprising of sequential processors and FPGAs are realized to evaluate different design parameters, especially the performance and energy efficiency. Afterwards, the architectures enabling raw data transmission only and those involving in-sensor processing are evaluated so as to find an energy efficient solution. The results of this investigation show that in-sensor processing architecture, comprising of an FPGA for computation purposes, is more energy efficient when compared with other alternatives in relation to the data and computation intensive applications. Based on the results obtained and the experiences learned in the architectural evaluation study, an FPGA-based high-performance wireless sensor platform, the SENTIOF, is designed and developed. In addition to
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Dr. Khurram Shahzad Doctoral thesis Energy Efficient Hardware Architecture for Data and Computation Intensive Wireless Monotoring Main supervisor Prof. Bengt Oelmann Opponent Professor Teresa Riesgo, Universidad Politecnica de Madrid (UPM), Spain Research group Wireless Sensor Network
Annual report 2013-2014 - PhD-exams
performance, the SETNIOF is designed to enable dynamic optimization of energy consumption. This includes enabling integrated modules to be completely switched off and providing a fast configuration support to the FPGA. In order to validate the results of the evaluation studies, and to assess the performance and energy consumption of real implementations, both the vibration and image-based industrial monitoring applications are realized using the SENTIOF. In terms of computational performance for both of these applications, the real-time processing goals are achieved. For example, in the case of vibration-based monitoring, real-time processing performance for tri-axes (horizontal, vertical and axial) vibration data are achieved for sampling rates of more than 100 kHz. With regards to energyconsumption, based on the measured power consumption that also includes the power consumed during the FPGA’s configuration process, the operational lifetimes are estimated using a single cell battery (similar to an AA battery in terms of shape and size)with a typical capacity of 2600 mA. In the case of vibration-based condition monitoring, an operational lifetime of more than two years can be achieved for duty-cycle interval of 10 minutes or more. The achievable operational lifetime of image-based monitoring is more than 3 years for a duty-cycle interval of 5 minutes or more.
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A Protocol Framework for Adaptive Real-Time Communication in Industrial Wireless Sensors and Actuator Networks Low-power and resource-constrained wireless technology has been regarded as an emerging technology that introduces a paradigm shift in a wide range of applications such as industrial automation, smart grid, home automation and so on. The automation industry has significant contributions to economic revenues, job opportunities and world-class research. The low-power and resource-constrained wireless technology has brought new opportunity and challenges for industrial automation. The solutions of such wireless technology offer benefits in relation to lower cost and more flexible deployments/maintenances than the wired solutions, and new applications that are not possible with wired communication. However, these wireless solutions have been introducing new challenges. Wireless links are inherently unreliable, especially in industrial harsh environment, and wireless interference makes the problem even worse. Low-power consumption is required and real-time communication is generally crucial in industrial automation applications. This research work addresses that industrial wireless sensor and actuator network (IWSAN) should even be designed to provide service differentiation for wireless medium access and adapt to link dynamics for scheduling algorithms on top of real-time services. Specifically, exceeding the required delay bound for unpredictable and emergency traffic in industrial automation applications could lead to system instability, economic and material losses, system failure and, ultimately, a threat to human safety. Therefore, guaranteeing the timely delivery of the IWSAN critical traffic and its prioritization over regular traffic (e.g. non-critical monitoring traffic) is a significant topic. In addition, the state-of-the-art researches address a multitude of objectives for scheduling algorithms in IWSAN. However, the adaptation to the dynamics of a realistic wireless sensor network has not been investigated in a satisfactory manner. This is a key issue considering the challenges within industrial applications, given the time-constraints and harsh environments. In response to those challenges, a protocol framework for adaptive real-time communication in IWSAN is proposed. It mainly consists of a priority-based medium access protocol (MAC) and its extension for routing critical traffic, a hybrid scheme for acyclic traffic, and adaptive scheduling algorithms. To the best of our knowledge, the priority-based MAC solution is the first priority-enhanced MAC protocol compatible with industrial standards for IWSAN. The proposed solutions have been implemented in TinyOS and evaluated on a test-bed of Telosb motes and the TOSSIM network simulator.The experimental results indicate that the proposed priority-based solutions are able to efficiently handle different traffic categories and achieve a significant improvement in the delivery latency. The hybrid scheme for acyclic traffic increases the throughput and reduces the delay compared to the current industrial standards. Numerical results show that the adaptive scheduling algorithms improve the quality of service for the entire network. They achieve significant improvements for realistic dynamic wireless sensor networks when compared to existing scheduling algorithms with the aim to minimize latency for real-time communication.
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Dr. wei shen Doctoral thesis A Protocol Framework for Adaptive Real-Time Communication in Industrial Wireless Sensors and Actuator Networks Main supervisor Prof. Tingting Zhang Opponent Prof. Gerhard Hancke from City University of Hong Kong Research group Sensor Network and Security
Annual report 2013-2014 - PhD-exams
Technology driven obolescence management for embedded systems In this thesis, the work presented is in relation to technology driven obsolescence management for embedded systems. Component obsolescence problems may occur in systems with a life cycle longer than that of one or more of their components when there is a demand without enough existing stock, such as automotive, avionics, military applications, etc. This thesis analyzes the component obsolescence problem from both the design technology selection and management perspectives. Design technologies selection is associated with hardware and software. Several hardware platforms such as COTS and field-programmable gate array (FPGA) are discussed. FPGA intellectual property (IP) portability is emphasized which will affect the obsolescence management cost. Embedded software is also a crucial part for system sustainment. A risk analysis is performed in relation to long life cycle systems for different design technologies. Different platform cases are evaluated by analyzing the essence of each case and the consequences of different risk scenarios during system maintenance. This has shown that an FPGA platform with the vendor and device independent soft IPs has the highest maintainability and the minimum redesign cost. The reuse of a predefined IP can shorten the development times and assist the designer to meet time-to-market (TTM) requirements. System migration between devices is unavoidable, especially when it has a long life cycle expectation, so IP portability becomes an important issue for system maintenance. If an IP for FPGAs is truly portable, it must be easily adaptable to different communication interfaces, being portable between different FPGA vendors and devices, having no dependencies on the tool set and library used for the system design and no restriction on the communication interface. An M-JPEG decoder and a soft microprocessor portability analysis case study are presented in the thesis. A methodology is proposed to ease the interface modification and interface reuse, thus to increase the portability of an IP.
Dr. Meng Xiaozhou Doctoral thesis Technology driven obsolescence management for embedded systems Main supervisor Assoc. Prof. Benny ThÜrnberg Opponent Prof. Jim Tørresen Department of Informatics University of Oslo, Norway Research group Visual Sensor Networks
A strategic proactive obsolescence management model is proposed from a management perspective. This model can estimate the minimum management costs for a system with different architectures. It consists of two parts. The first is to generate a graph, which is in the form of an obsolescence management diagram. A segments table containing the data of this diagram is calculated and prepared for optimization at a second step. This second part is to find the minimum cost for system obsolescence management. Mixed integer linear programming (MILP) is used to calculate the minimum management cost and schedule.The model is open sourced thus allowing other research groups to freely download and modify it. Both the design technology selection and the strategic proactive obsolescence management are demonstrated by an industrial display computer system case study. The results show significant cost avoidance as compared to the original method used by the company. Finally, the research results are encapsulated into an obsolescence management cost avoidance methodology.
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Monte Carlo simulation of electron transport in semiconducting zigzag carbon nanotubes Since the advent of nanoscale material based electronic devices, there has been a considerable interest in exploring carbon nanotubes from fundamental science and technological perspectives. In carbon nanotubes, the atoms form a cylindrical structure with a diameter of the order 1nm. The length of the nanotubes can extend up to several hundred micrometers. Carbon nanotubes exhibit a variety of intriguing electronic properties such as semiconducting and metallic behaviour, due to the quantum confinement of the electrons in the circumferential direction. Much of the study dedicated to describe the behaviour of carbon nanotube-based devices assumes for simplicity the nanotube to be a ballistic material. However, in reality the phonon scattering mechanism exists also in nanotubes, of course, and can generally not be neglected, except in very short nanotubes. In this work, we focus attention on exploring the steady-state electron transport properties of semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes, including both phonon scattering and defect (vacancy) scattering, using the semi-classical bulk single electron Monte Carlo method. The electron energy dispersion relations are obtained by applying the zone folding technique to the dispersion relations of graphene, which are calculated using the tight-binding description. The vibrational modes in the carbon nanotubes are studied using a fourth nearest-neighbour force constant model. Both the electron-phonon and the electron-defect interactions are formulated within the tight-binding framework, and their corresponding scattering rates are computed and analyzed. In particular, the dependence of the phonon scattering rate and the defect scattering rate on the diameter of the nanotube, on temperature and on electron energy is studied. It is shown that the differences observed in the scattering rate between different nanotubes mainly stem from the differences in their band structure. A bulk single electron Monte Carlo simulator was developed to study the electron transport in semiconducting zigzag carbon nanotubes. As a first step, we included only electron-phonon scattering, neglecting all other possible scattering mechanisms. With this scattering mechanism, the steady-state drift velocity and the mobility for the nanotubes (8,0), (10,0), (11,0), (13,0) and (25,0) were calculated as functions of the electric-field strength and lattice temperature, and the results are presented and analysed here. The dependence of the mobility on the lattice temperature can be clearly seen at low electric-field strengths. At such electric-field strengths, the scattering is almost entirely due to acoustic phonons, whereas at high electric-field strengths optical phonon emission processes dominate. It is shown that the saturation of the steady-state drift velocity at high electric-field strengths is due to the emission of high-energy optical phonons. The results indicate the presence of Negative differential resistance for some of the nanotubes considered in this work. The discrepancy found in the literature concerning the physical reason for the appearance of negative differential resistance is clarified, and a new explanation is proposed. It is also observed that the backward scattering is dominant over the forward scattering at high electric-field strengths.
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Dr. Kannan Thiagarajan Doctoral thesis Monte Carlo simulation of electron transport in semiconducting zigzag carbon nanotubes Main supervisor Prof. Ulf Lindefelt Opponent Prof. Michele Goano Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy Research group Printed Sensor Systems
Annual report 2013-2014 - PhD-exams
We then included also defect scattering, actually electron-vacancy scattering, for the nanotubes (10,0) and (13,0). The steady-state drift velocities for these nanotubes are calculated as functions of the density of vacancies, electric-field strength and the lattice temperature, using three different vacancy concentrations. The results indicate the presence of Negative differential resistance at very low concentration of defects, and how this feature may depend on the concentration of defects. The dependence of the steady-state drift velocity on the concentration of defect and the lattice temperature is discussed. The electron distribution functions for different temperatures and electric field strengths are also calculated and investigated for all the semiconducting nanotubes considered here. In particular, a steep barrier found in the electron distribution function is attributed to the emission of high energy optical phonons.
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a high standard cleanroom One of the labs at STC is the cleanroom of about 250 m2. In the cleanroom, no particles are allowed to exist as they can interfere with research. This requires great precision at the entrance and exit in the cleanroom. Both researchers and students use the cleanroom in education and research. The cleanroom is specialized in fabrication of radiation semiconductor sensors and micromechanical sensors. For example the research group Detector and Photonics at STC develop new detectors for different application areas in the clean room.
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Annual report 2013-2014 - New staff
10. new staff, phd-students and promotions New phd-students
A presentation of all new PhD-students at STC during the years 2013 and 2014.
MUHAMMAD ABU BAKAR Muhammad Abu Bakar got his master degree in Electronics Design from Mid Sweden University, in 2012. He has a multi-disciplined career and continued making progress in many areas of his interest both in research and applications in the field of analog and digital electronics. Bakar has been serving the industry in Pakistan for more than 15 years to develop efficient and low cost systems especially in power conversion from AC-DC and DC-DC. He is now working as PhD-student since late 2014. His core area of research is the development of high frequency and efficient power converters at few kWatts power level.
MUHAMMAD AMIR YOUSAF Muhammad Amir Yousaf received his MSc degree in Electronics Design from Mid Sweden University in 2009. He worked in Philips Applied Technology, Eindhoven for his Master’s thesis ‘Smart Infant Seat’. From 2010 to 2014 he worked as Research Engineer in Mid Sweden University and contributed in several research projects in addition teaching courses in Electronics. In December, 2014 he started his PhD in ‘Image analysis for condition monitoring of a wood chipper’. In this assignment he is working with developing a high resolution 3D scanning system for monitoring ‘wear outs’ and damages in metallic tools used in wood chipping industry.
Staffan Rydblom Staffan Rydblom received his MSc in Applied Physics and Electrical Engineering from Linköping University in 2001. Half a year of this was done at the University of Innsbruck, Austria. Staffan has more than seven years of experience working with control systems and bid project engineering at Bombardier Transportation, two years experience as project engineer at Permobil and one and a half year as systems engineer at ABB. He is now working as a PhD-student in the research project Foggy, where he develop a new method for determining the atmospheric content of liquid water and droplet size to be able to predict icing on wind turbines.
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New employees
A presentation of all new employees at STC during the years 2013 and 2014.
Enkeleda balliu – guest researchers Enkeleda Balliu, MSc from Italy, worked at Mid Sweden University as a guest researcher in photonics in 2014. Her work involves testing and putting together a high power laser demonstrator for materials processing. She belongs to the research group Detector and Photonics at STC who developes laser demonstrators in collaboration with companies such as LaserCut in Hudiksvall, LaserNova in Östersund, Cobolt in Stockholm and Optoskand in Gothenburg. The project is financed by Region Gävleborg, Länsstyrelsen in Västernorrland, Mittuniversitetet, Tillväxtverket and Fiber Optic Valley.
Mikael Gidlund – Professor Mikael Gidlund became a professor in computer science in 2013 and his lecture was called ”Wireless industrial automation - what is it?”. There he discussed issues such as will all the machines and sensors to be connected to the Internet in the future? Is it safe and reliable? Mikael has a background as R&D engineer at Acreo and as a senior scientist at Nera Networks in Norway. Recently he was a Senior Principal Scientist and global research coordinator for wireless automation at ABB Corporate Research. He is now leader for the research group Sensor-based Services and conducts his research within wireless sensor networks.
helen lusth – Research engineer Helen Lusth was employed as a research engineer at STC in 2014. She has a Master degree in industrial design and a licentiate degree in physics engineering from the Mid Sweden University. She work in design and product development and her main role at the research centre is to help bring research projects into commercial products.
Joan montiel ponsoda – Guest researcher Dr. Joan Montiel Ponsoda also came to STC as a guest researcher in 2014. He worked together with Enkeleda and Magnus Engholm in a research project that developed innovations within fiber optics for industrial applications. Joan is employed as a Post Doc at Aalto University in Finland, where he made his MSc and PhD exams, specialized in fibers. He started his research career at the School of Telecommunications Engineering of Valencia.
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Annual report 2013-2014 - New Staff
Vincent skerved – research technician Vincent Skerved was employed as a research technician at STC in 2014. His research area is machine vision systems and image analysis. His main function at the research centre is to support different research projects into becoming commercial products. A process that he got experience of since he is a part of the STC spin-off company - Sensible Solutions.
Promotions
A presentation of all promotions at STC during the years 2013 and 2014.
Associate Professor Johan sidén Johan Sidén became an associate professor in 2014 and in his lecture for appointment was named ”Funktionella ytor för identifiering och positionering av taggade objekt – Lösningar av Maxwells ekvationer med digital teknik”. He showed how large areas can detect ID-tagged objects placed on them and tell you where on such a surface each tagged objects is. Johans research is in printed electronics (RFID), which is a kind of electronic tagging instead of barcode, machine vision systems, wireless sensor networks and fiber optic sensors. He is also one of the founder to a spinn-off company Sensible Solutions and soon to be spin-off SenseZone.
Associate Professor jan thim Jan Thim became an associate professor in 2014 and his lecture for appointment as an Associate Professor was called ”Innovationsforskning: akademisk stötesten eller drivande forskningsmotor? Erfarenheter från OnTop”. He handled the topic of innovation from a research perspective, looking at the issue of combining the research mission and at the same time be an innovator. Jan gave examples from his journey with OnTop, a research innovation which became both a product and a company. Jan has worked at Mid Sweden University since 2002 and is doing his research within optical and x-ray based measurement systems.
Professor Mårten Sjöström In 2013 Mårten Sjöström became a professor in Singal Processing at Mid Sweden University. His lecture was called ”Photographic imaging in several dimensions” and addressed issues as; how many dimensions can we experience? Mårten is the head of the research group Realistic 3D, and I lead its activities in research projects in collaboration with several industrial partners. His main research area is Multi-Dimensional Signal Processing where System Modelling and Identification has been a large part. Now his research is within Multi-Scopic 3D: capture, procesing, coding and presentation/visualization.
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a power converter that can fit into your laptop In just a few years research within the research group Power Electronics have been positioned in frontline for high frequency power supplies presenting the only isolated converter above 3MHz with an efficiency exceeding requirements from commercial applications. The research have been resulted in one spin-off company and many new collaborations both industrial and from academy. Sida 50
Annual report 2013-2014 - Research projects
11. research projects Projects started 2012 and ongoing 3D-ConTourNet - 3D content creation, coding and transmission over future media networks This research action undertakes coordinated research collaboration, at European level, in 3D multimedia creation, encoding, delivery and reception of services and applications over future networking technologies. This project aims at beyond this trend by tightening closer together scattered efforts and integrating all technological elements with user 3D quality perception. To reach this goal, this action fuels cooperation between researchers and industry experts, envisaging production of technical and scientific deliverables for researchers, scientists, engineers and managers, new business model recommendations for content and service providers through joint meetings across academia and industry, plus documentation and multimedia presentations to promote 3D technology in the society.
FACTS Project leader Mรฅrten Sjรถstrรถm Researchers Kjell Brunnstrรถm Mitra Damghanian Ulf Jennehag Roger Olsson Yun Li Suryanarayana Muddala
Project period 2012-2016 Funder Knowledge Foundation
Projects started 2013 and ongoing FLEX - Flexible master by research The project aims to create an open international Master-by-Research online training which is flexible in both time and content, and scalable in the number of students. In Master-byResearch the students study one semester online and then do projects and thesis work at a company. The company can choose courses or course sections from this online selection for skills development of their staff. On September 22nd, 2014, the first MOOC (Massive Open Online Courses) was launched in Digital Design with VHDL by Mid Sweden University. An online education that can accommodate thousands of students from around the world - at the same time.
FOGGY This project intends to develop a direct method for determining the air content of liquid water, LWC, and droplet size, MVD.These parameters are critical for the meteorological conditions that govern the icing process, and tools to directly determine them missing today. By being able to measure the parameters of both the calculations of glaciation and new tools for measuring the ice can be developed. The method will use imaging technologies and advanced sensors, and will be tested in a climate chamber. The goal is that the instrument should work in real conditions and be able to be commercialized.
FACTS Project leader Bengt Oelmann Project period 2013-2015 Funder Knowledge Foundation
FACTS Project leader Benny Thรถrnberg Project period 2013-2016 Funder Swedish Energy Agency Partners Combitech Swedish Energy Agency
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plenocap Plenocap aims to study and enhance plenoptic capture systems, develop computational methods and algorithms, and investigate their effect on future immersive video communication services. The work planned for this project will waive the boundary conditions stemming from conventional two-dimensional cameras, in favor of addressing the plenoptic capture problem from the perspective of capturing a multi-dimensional data set as efficiently as possible given the requirements of a plenoptic application, not a 2D equivalent. This relaxation of constraints significantly increases the potential of novel and distinguished results and opens up a new research branch within the community that can be pursued with both analytical and empirical research tools. New multidimensional data sets require analysis of their characteristics (using simulation and experiment), which in turn requires defining evaluation metrics that are capable of addressing important plenoptic signal and system properties.
robust - robust wireless communication in harsh radio environments The mining industry is facing a new challenge.There is a global increase in demand for commodities driven by the developing countries. At the same time easy access to high grade ore is decreasing. Increasing the level of automation and improving operational performance is a key to meet these challenges. One important step towards a more automated mine is tracking of material and equipment underground. Knowing the location of assets is crucial both from a safety and operational point-of-view. Tracking requires a robust and agile wireless infrastructure that can sustain the harsh radio environment in a mine.
FACTS Project leader Roger Olsson Project period 2013-2015 Funder Knowledge Foundation Partners Adopticum Ericsson LC-Tec Optronic
FACTS Project leader Mikael Gidlund Project period 2013-2015 Funder Knowledge Foundation Partners ABB Corporate Research
Projects started in 2014 and ongoing Co-op in Enabling Improved Prod. & Safety in Underground Mines between Sweden and South Africa This project will act as a starting point for joint research collaboration between Mid Sweden University and the University of Pretoria.To goal with the cooperation is to strengthening the research in WSNs for industrial automation at both universities by investigating and developing robust wireless communication systems that can handle real-time traffic and enabling application like localization of assets in terms of people and machinery in underground mines. In 2014 STC started up a collaboration with the research group Advanced Sensor Network Group at the University of Pretoria, South Africa, led by Professor Gerhard (GP) Hancke.
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FACTS Project leader Mikael Gidlund Project period 2014-2015 Funder STINT Partners University of Pretoria
Annual report 2013-2014 - Research projects
Failure detector for hydraulic machines The failure detector is a product from several years of research and it can help industries to prevent expensive machine breakdown.The main purpose with the project is to eliminate the risks that remain before a commercializing the failure detector to the business market. The risks that remain are industrial verification of the detector, verifying that the detector can be produced in a cost and form-factor that fits the needs of a business plan that has been adopted to this verification.
FACTS Project leader Mattias O’Nils Researcher Najeem Lawal Sara Ödmark
Anders Rådberg Anatoliy Manuilskiy
Project period 2014-2016 Funder Vinnova Partner Rexroth Bosch Group
Flis - Characterization of wood disintegration processes The condition of cutting tools used in a wood disintegration process has a large impact on the quality of the products. Today we don’t know how long the intervals for replacement of worn out tools should be. This project aims at gaining knowledge for how process parameters for wood disintegration are related. By using optical techniques, wireless on-rotor sensing and multivariate modeling we want to find out the most feasible and cost efficient way to monitor these parameters online.
FACTS Project leader Benny Thörnberg Researcher Lisbeth Hellström Peng Cheng Project period 2014-2017 Funder Knowledge Foundation Partner Andritz Iggesund Tools AB Iggesund Paperboard AB PulpEye AB
FORIC - Forest as a Resource Industrial Research College This is a new industrial research school. It is a new graduate school in close cooperation with the business companies in Sweden where graduate students will increase their competitiveness. Academia and industry will benefit from interacting with each other. Program director is professor Per Engstrand from FSCN and this project is conducted in collaboration between STC and FSCN as a part of the KK-Environment at Mid Sweden University.
FACTS Project leader Per Engstrand (FSCN) Project period 2014-2018 Funder Knowledge Foundation
Researcher: Olof Björkqvist, Håkan Edlund, Birgitta Engberg, Christer Fröjdh, Morgan Fröling, Erik Hedenström, Myat Htun, Aron Larsson, Mikael Lindström (KTH), Louise Logenius, Claes Mattsson, Magnus Norgren, Sven Norgren, Börje Norlin, Leif Olsson, Anders Roos (SLU), Göran Thungström, Matti Stendahl (SLU) and Kerstrin Sunnerheim. Partners: Frontway AB, Holmen, Iggesund Paperboard AB, Innventia, Mantex AB, MoRe Research, PulpEye AB, Ragn Sells AB, SCA R&D Centre AB, SenseAir AB, Skogforsk AB, Sundsvall Energi AB, Stora Enso Kvansveden AB, Sylvestris AB, Valmet AB and Åkroken Science Park AB. Sida 53
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ID Pos - Large Areas for RFID Identification, Positioning and Interaction In 2020 there will be up to 50 billion devices connected to the Internet. A growing part of these devices are RFID- and NFC technology. Today a RFID systems have the ability to determine the presence and ID-number of a tag. In this project researcher want to investigate how a RFID system can accurately determine unique position of tags distributed over a specific area or volume. This with RFID reader antennas that is relatively thin but of significantly large area is used to identify and position RFID tags placed upon the reader area.
FACTS Project leader Johan Sidén Researcher Henrik Andersson Project period 2014-2017 Funder Knowledge Foundation Partner IDAG Design Studio AB Ovako Tube & Ring AB Sandvik Materials Technology AB Skultuna Flexible AB Sweprod Graphics AB
kW Converters - High Frequency Medium Power Isolated Converters Mid Sweden University have in a few years reached the research front in high frequency magnetics and converters for power transfer applications in the power levels of 50-100W. This project targeting the medium power level converters (few kW) at high frequency, based on the expertise in the existing research carried out in power electronics group. Together with industrial partners such as SAAB a new, more effective high frequency kW converters will be developed.
Permanent Magnet DC motor with on-rotor drive system More than 90 % of all industrial motors are AC induction motors and bruschless DC motors. They are very reliable but not so energy efficient, almost half of all the electricity in the world is consumed in running these motors. In this project researchers will investigate how a Permanent Magnet DC motor with on-rotor drive system can achieve both the best efficiency and the best performance but with the lowest cost.
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FACTS Project leader Kent Bertilsson Project period 2014-2017 Funder Knowledge Foundation Partners Kamic Group SAAB Powerbox SEPS Technologies AB
FACTS Project leader Peng Cheng Researcher Bengt Oelmann Project period 2014-2015 Funder Ångpanneföreningens Forskningsstiftelse
Project started and ended 2013
printed sensor lab The research group called Printed Sensor Systems works with developing printed sensors, investigating the physical properties of ink and substrate interaction as well as RFID technology and system integration. The main manufacturing method is ink-jet printing, but also flexo and screen printing are used as well as aluminum foil patterns.
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Projects started and ended 2014 Air Quality in the city (prestudy) Equipment for measuring particles in urban air is very expensive today which means it is only possible to have a small number of measurement points in a city. There are technologies for sensors and wireless communications that enable low-cost solutions and thus makes it possible to have a large amount of data points that can give a better picture of the city’s air quality in real time. In this pre study, researchers investigate the possibilities of utilizing low-cost solution for measuring air.
FACTS Project leader Bengt Oelmann Researcher Sebastian Bader Mattias Krämer Project period 2014-07-01-2014-12-31 Funder European Regional Development Fund
Chrome - Measurement of Chrome with X-ray (Prestudy) Emissions of heavy metals and other pollutant substances is an important consequence for the surrounding community that industries entail. Therefore, emissions to air and water needs to be monitored. X-ray spectroscopy is a fast and efficient method that can identify different elements in a material. The objective of this study is to investigate whether the method can be used to measure the presence of chromium in fly ash from Korstaverket and leachate from Blåbergstippen.
FUNKVYZ - Visualization in Mellannorrland (prestudy) This pre study will examine how university, government, business and cultural organizations can work together to create the first visualization cluster in Mid Sweden. Previous investigations of these groups have shown a great interest in visualization technologies and a need of a venue for cooperation in the field.
FACTS Project leader Börje Norlin Project period 2014-08-15-2014-12-31 Funder Sundsvall Energi Partners Sundsvall Kommun
FACTS Project leader Mårten Sjöström Researcher Mitra Damghanian Andreas Brännlund (artist) Project period 2014-08-01-2014-12-31 Funder European Regional Development Fund
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Annual report 2013-2014 - Research projects
HYCK - A prestudy of new semiconductor materials and processing methods to be used in printed electronics This pre study of new semiconductor materials and processing methods to be used in printed electronics is expected to provide new kinds of electronic components and manufacturing methods. The need for this technology can be found in large industries in the region of Mid Sweden University such as the paper industry, printing technology industry and with companies in electronics production.
MakeSense! - Sensor Collaboration in Welfare Technology The Makes Sense! project aims to form a strong multidisciplinary research team and to start a long-term collaboration in the field of welfare technology research between Mid Sweden University and Satakunta University of Applied Sciences (SAMK) in Pori, Finland. The ultimate goal for this collaboration is to increase well-being and provide solutions for meeting the challenges caused by demographic changes and population’s inactivity problems both in Finland and Sweden.
FACTS Project leader Göran Thungström Project period 2014-06-01-2014-12-31 Funder European Regional Development Fund
FACTS Project leader Johan Sidén Project period 2014 Funder Botnia Atlantica European Regional Development Fund Knowledge Foundation Partners Satakunta University of Applied Sciences
Scalable material process for the manufacture of new advanced paper products (Prestudy) The paper industry is facing major challenges as reduced demand for newsprint is causing a large drop in profits for many big corporations. This forces the paper industry to shift to find new ways to add value and profitability of the products. This prestudy is a collaboration between two research projects in two different areas of technology with the aim to investigate whether the combination of these technology areas may find a way to produce paper products with new advanced features on a large scale.
SMART - Smart Systems and Services for a more efficient society (prestudy) The objective of this prestudy is to connect Mid Sweden University’s profiling in Smart Systems and services of towards the needs in region area. The goal is to find a common agenda that can be implemented in a research application for an integrated project within the Smart Systems. This will be done by networking with businesses, public entities and business clusters and then inventorying of their efficiency or improvement needs and combine these needs with the technology behind Smart Systems.
FACTS Project leader Magnus Engholm Project period 2014-06-01-2014-12-30 Funder European Regional Development Fund
FACTS Project leader Mattias O’Nils Project period 2014-06-01-2014-12-31 Funder European Regional Development Fund
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Projects ended 2013 Energywise
FACTS
The availability of energy at a reasonable price level has been a prerequisite for industrial development in our region. Energy supply in central Sweden is still very good but the proximity of energy production is less advantageous as the price of electricity is determined on the European market. Today, the competitive advantage is more related to the knowledge and innovation capacity of the region which provides new and more optimal ways to use natural resources such as raw material and energy. Projectgroup STC Hans- Erik Nilsson Bengt Oelmann Sebastian Bader Peng Cheng Henrik Anderson Mattias O´Nils Najeem Lawal Kent Bertilsson Göran Thungström Anatoily Manoilskly
Project leader Hans-Erik Nilsson Project period 2011-2013 Funder European Regional Development Fund
Projectgroup FSCN Håkan Olin Joakim Bäckström Christina Hummelgård Renyun Zhang Sven Forsberg Magnus Hummelgård Kaarlo Niskanen Wennan Zhang Ulf Söderling Olof Björkqvist
Fiber optic sensors for industrial and medical applications Fiber optical sensors are believed to have a much larger role in industry and in the medical area. This is due to the insensitivity of light when it comes to electromagnetic disturbance, and high sensitivity. Research have been made in to develop a new pH-sensitive material that is non-toxic, has high reproducibility and with good optical properties. Tests have been made to apply the pH-sensitive material on optical fibers, both in regard of pH sensitivity and adhesion. Work has also been done with more simulations of nano particles evaporated upon an optical fiber core.
insikt - Secure ICT for indoor environments The main objectives of this project was to develop secure and robust network services for the personal and home environment, and for these networks develop new innovative services that provide safer homes. The project addressed the technical solutions for the personal integrity of the home ICT infrastructure to provide security and trust in applications , such as monitoring, home healthcare, energy management, and control of home appliances connected.
FACTS Project leader Hans-Erik Nilsson Researchers Krister Hammarling Project period 2011-2013 Funder Swedish ICT Acreo
FACTS Project leader Patrik Österberg Researchers Ulf Jennehag Stefan Forsström Victor Kardeby Project period 2010-2013 Funder Vinnova Partners ABB Swedish ICT Acreo
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Annual report 2013-2014 - Research projects
IR-absorbatorer The research problem to this project within the area of infrared detectors was initially formulated by SenseAir. They had seen a growing market of carbon detection system within consumer products such as safety switch in kerosene heater.This is a low-cost product so the main issue is how to reduce the cost and still ensure reliability and sensitivity. The research was conducted together with the partner company SenseAir.
FACTS Project leader Claes Mattsson Project period 2011-2013 Funder Knowledge Foundation Partners SenseAir
ontop In the project researchers developed an optical meter that measures topography in real time directly on a paper web in motion, OnTop (Online topography measurement) and integrate this into Iggesund factory. The meter can automatically monitor and log topographic measurements across the paper surface during production, which can give every square meter of paper produced a stamp of quality. Measurement results in real time also provides an opportunity to control the paper process to achieve higher quality and profitability.
FACTS Project leader Mattias O’Nils Researchers Project period 2012-2013 Funder Vinnova Partner OnTop Measurement AB
Phase contrast Phase contrast is a hot and relatively new research area, where the scattering of X-rays is studied instead of the traditional way of measuring the absorption in X-ray imaging. Phase contrast X-ray imaging can be used to construct an online system for measurement of paper quality during the actual production. Precise measurements of the paper composition and thickness are possible to get in this way. During the production the measurements scans the quality of the paper manufactured. To this three year project a new X-ray lab with led shielded walls was built to be able to develop a working prototype of the system that later can be further developed into a working industry product.
FACTS Project leader Börje Norlin Researchers Jan Thim Christer Fröjdh Erik Fröjdh
Göran Thungström Reza Salim
Project period 2011-2013 Funder Knowledge Foundation Partners Iggesund Holmen Mantex AB MidDec Scandinavian AB Scint - X AB
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Scintillatordetektorer - utveckling av neutrondetektor baserad på scintillatorstruktur In this project reserachers developt materials for neutrondetection by scintillation, i.e. light emission based on that the neutrons create charged particles through reactions with 10B or 6Li which in turn provides light through a scintillatorprocess in a suitable scintillator. Since the scintillator fill material into pore structures, the light will be guided down to a pixellerad detector. The intention is to keep a good spatial resolution, although the absorbent layer is relatively thick.
Real3d - Realistic 3D - in medical and media applications Recent advances in three-dimensional (3-D) visualization make it possible to fundamentally change how 3-D information is presented. New technology and better understanding of human perception have become a breeding ground for this new realistic 3-D visualization technology. With experience in theoretical research within 3-D visualization, industrial application, as well as practical medicine, the project partners in this project had an exclusive position to jointly address realistic 3-D in emerging applications, and position the project in the international forefront with regards to research and development.
Syspack - New methods for system integration of intelligent packaging Nanotechnology has revolutionized the area of printed electronics. The scientific characterization and evaluation of hybridization solutions for electronics on paper is still limited and therefore these issues are addressed within this proposal. In this project we aim to explore, develop, and evaluate new hybridization technologies for paper electronics. In addition, we intend to further develop existing hybridization techniques utilizing electrical sintering and nanoparticle self-organization. The target is to obtain lower contact resistances, better mechanical stability and faster attachment of components
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FACTS Project leader Sture Petersson (Acreo AB) Project period 2012-2013 Funder Vinnova Partners Acreo AB Scint-X AB MidDec Scandinavia AB
FACTS Project leader Mårten Sjöström Project period 2010-2013 Funders County Government Västernorrland EU Structural Funds KK-foundation Vinnova Strategic Research Vårdal Foundation Invest in Sweden
FACTS Project leader Hans-Erik Nilsson Project period 2011-2013 Funder Knowledge Foundation Partners SCA R&D Centre Oregon Scientific Sweprod Webshape
Annual report 2013-2014 - Research projects
Projects ended 2014 COINS - Coexistence and Interference Avoidance for Industrial Wireless Applications The proposed of this project was mainly to solve the problem with coexistence of wireless systems and propose new methods for interference avoidance in harsh industrial environments. To be able to reach the targeted goals it is important that simulators and emulators are built to validate the correctness of proposed mathematical models and academic results that will be developed during the project. Furthermore, a proof-of-concept of an industrial WSAN testbed will be available for future education and research purposes.
FACTS Project leader Tingting Zhang Researchers Mikael Gidlund Youzhi Xu Wei Shen Filip Barac Felix Dobslaw Project period 2011-2014 Funder Knowledge Foundation Partners ABB AB Shortlink
Development of innovations within fiber optics for industrial applications In this project researcher developed new fiber based laser sources in the infrared, visible and ultraviolet spectral range. Several advantages is offered by combining fiber optics with laser technology such as an increased flexibility and an increased laser beam quality. This is highly desired in applications such as materials processing of steel, metal sheets and plastics. In this project, new customized fiber based laser sources was developed to suit the demands of the collaborating partner companies. Other activities are also included in the project, which aims to inspire more young people in the age 18-24 and especially young women to study and work with science and technology.
HET - High Tech E-Services The project have created new e-services, based on the demand from regional business, using interdisciplinary and complementary skills at Mid Sweden University. The project will bring these services forward into start-ups, or to transfer the concepts to existing regional businesses. The benefits and capabilities of each discipline cross-fertilize the second, focusing on the actual needs of regional businesses, creating a basis for continued development and cooperation. The project encompasses development of technologies that support e-services, design of a the service, and investigation of further markets.
FACTS Project leader Magnus Engholm Researchers Enkeleda Balliu Joan Montiel Ponsoda Project period 2012-2014 Funders Regional Development Council Gävleborg Länsstyrelsen Västernorrland European Regional Development Fund
FACTS Project leader Mårten Sjöström Researchers Ulf Jennehag Mikael Marklund Leif Olsson Roger Olsson Anders Rådberg Olof Wahlberg Project period 2013-2014 Funder European Regional Development Fund
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Interreg - Transnational Environment for Innovation, Research and Education This two and a half year project started in January 2012. The initiative has been a transnational cooperation between Norway and Sweden where Mid Sweden University and the University of Sør Trøndelag, HIST, had before the project started a cooperation in the advanced master’s program. The aim of the project was to develop this cooperation to include innovation, networking and R & D as well. On both sides of the border, there was an established cooperation between universities and industry through different clusters collaborations. By bringing together these environments a new market was created with good opportunities for new ideas. A joint cluster is stronger than the two separately. The industry in the region also needs more competent employees and an important part of this project has been to increase young people, and especially women, interest in technology.
IRPrint - Ink-jet printing of detectors for infrared light The aim of the project is to investigate the possibility of simplifying the manufacturing process and reduce production costs for thermal detectors using ink-jet printing to manufacture all or part of the detectors. For this project, it the experimental ink-jet equipment was used. It consists of a Fujifilm Dimatix 2831 experimental ink-jet printer, which has very good potential to control parameters and to self be able to fill printer cartridges with different types of ink.
KITT– Context-Information Sharing for IoT Applications Context information (context information, CI) relates to the user or the user’s environment, it may for instance come from sensors or be given by the user. By utilizing such information, applications may at each session be tailored to the user’s needs. The amount of CI is increasing as sensors are becoming cheaper and being integrated into more products. This enables even better services, but can also cause communication channels to become congested by CI-related traffic. It is therefore necessary to sort out and only distribute the relevant CI. In the KITT project researchers createed a fully distributed platform that can handle this and also provide the opportunity to use CI to create seamless services.
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FACTS Project leader Benny Thörnberg Researchers Magnus Engholm Project period 2012-2014 Funder European Regional Development Fund Partners Interreg Sör-Tröndelag Fylkeskommune Nord-Tröndelag Fylkeskommune HIST Trondheim Fiber Optic Valley
FACTS Project leader Henrik Andersson Researchers Claes Mattsson Project period 2013-2014 Funder Ångpanneföreningen
FACTS Project leader Ulf Jennehag Researchers Youshi Xu Patrik Österberg Project period 2012-2014 Funder European Regional Development Fund
Annual report 2013-2014 - Research projects
MobiSense - NFC for easy and intelligent information handling via smart phones In this project researchers further developed and expanded the research and collaboration in RFID, sensor solutions and mobile communication built up at Mid Sweden University. The project’s base lies in the development of hardware and software for various applications that are identified to be well suited for integration of NFC technology , where communication is easily done using a standard mobile phone equipped with NFC.The platform became the basis for the demonstrators developed in collaboration with partner companies.
ONTOP 2.0 The project aims to develop an optical meter that measures topography in real time directly on a paper web in motion, OnTop (Online topography measurement) and integrate this into Iggesund factory.The meter can automatically monitor and log topographic measurements across the paper surface during production, which can give every square meter of paper produced a stamp of quality. Measurement results in real time also provides an opportunity to control the paper process to achieve higher quality and profitability.
FACTS Project leader Henrik Andersson Project period 2013-2014 Funder European Regional Development Fund
FACTS Project leader Mattias O’Nils Project period 2013 -2014 Funder Fiber Optic Valley Knowledge Foundation Partners OnTop Measurement
ORESS - On Rotor Embedded Sensor System Measurements on rotating machinery are commonly used where the measured parameters can be used in condition monitoring systems or in control systems. These systems can for example be found in engines, gearboxes and generator-turbines. In this project,researchers explored sensor solutions based on a technology where there is no mechanical connection between the stator and rotor. The integrated sensor system is mounted on the rotor with different configurations of MEMS-based sensors such as accelerometers and gyroscopes. The built-in sensor system communicates wirelessly and is also powered wirelessly.
FACTS Project leader Bengt Oelmann Researchers Peng Cheng Project period 2011-2014 Funder Knowledge Foundation Partner Leine Linde Rexroth Bosch Group
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Remote - Demonstrator- och coachning project to create e-business based on connected things The aim of the project was to increase knowledge on ICT use in enterprises, create more e-services and create new incentives for increased deployments of mobile and fixed broadband. By utilizing previous research a demonstrator was implemented that can create two examples of e-services for connected things. The examples show how to create new services based on online things and that ultimately creates a commercial incentive to build out both mobile and fixed broadband infrastructure. To further create a driving force to establish the e-services based on online things, the project coached several companies in developing their business through the development of new e-services based on online things.
Semiconductor radiation detector platform The project intends to build a strategic national platform for research, development and production of radiation detectors and detector based applications.The purpose of this platform is to coordinate activities in order to strengthen the research as well as commercialization of the results. The platform is based on the initiative to develop an infrastructure for detector development initiated with the support of the Swedish Research Council and the ERDIT initiative.The objective of ERDIT is to join forces between European detector scientists in order to coordinate the research activities and to promote this field at the funding agencies.
SIC - For new detector applications This project investigated the feasibility of producing components with radiation fastness in the level 1E17 particles/cm2, thus the demands being made at the major particle accelerators. Researcher also investigated the markets for detectors at major research laboratories CERN and ESS, as well as an examination of the need for UV detectors and dosimeters, and ultimately the detector needs at nuclear power plants and for space research.There are other areas where high doses of radiation should be measured for example medical and irradiations where the need for accurate dose measurements to be made.
FACTS Project leader Mattias O’Nils Researchers Mattias O´Nils Sebastian Bader Mikael Gidlund Najeem Lawal Muhammad Imran Stefan Forsström Victor Kardeby Project period 2013-2014 Funder European Regional Development Fund Knowledge Foundation
FACTS Project leader Christer Fröjdh Project period 130912-140331 Funder Vinnova
FACTS Project leader Sture Petersson Researchers Göran Thungström Project period 2013-2014 Funder Vinnova Funder SITEK Electro Optics Aktiebolag Ascatron AB MidDec Scandinavia AB
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Photo: Fiber Optic Valley
a guest researcher from turin Research group Detector & Photonics is developing laser demonstrators in collaboration with companies like LaserCut in Hudiksvall, LaserNova in Ă–stersund, Cobolt in Stockholm and Optoskand in Gothenburg. On this picture is a guest researcher Enkeleda Balliu in the optic lab testing and putting together a high power laser demonstrator for materials processing. Enkeleda has a background as a grant researcher at the technical university in Turin (Polytecnico di Torino), in the Optical Fiber and Components Group (FCO). Sida 65
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12. publications publications 2013 Articles in journals Malik, A. W., Thörnberg, B. & Palaniappan, P. K. (2013). Comparison of Three Smart Camera Architectures for Real-time Machine Vision System. International Journal of Advanced Robotic Systems, 10, Art. no. 402. Ahmad, N., Khursheed, K., Imran, M., Lawal, N. & O’Nils, M. (2013). Modeling and Verification of a Heterogeneous Sky Surveillance Visual Sensor Network. International Journal of Distributed Sensor Networks, Art. id. 490489. Andersson, H., Manuilskiy, A., Lidenmark, C., Gao, J., Öhlund, T., Forsberg, S., . . . Nilsson, H.-E. (2013). The influence of paper coating content on room temperature sintering of silver nanoparticle ink. Nanotechnology, 24(45), Art. no. 455203. Becker, J., Bianco, L., Dinapoli, R., Göttlicher, P., Graafsma, H., Greiffenberg, D., . . . Zhang, J. (2013). High speed cameras for X-rays: AGIPD and others. Paper presented at Topical Workshop on Electronics for Particle Physics; SEP 17-21, 2012; Oxford, ENGLAND. Journal of Instrumentation, 8(1), Art. no. C01042. Becker, J., Marras, A., Klyuev, A., Westermeier, F., Trunk, U. & Graafsma, H. (2013). Performance tests of an AGIPD 0.4 assembly at the beamline P10 of PETRA III. Journal of Instrumentation, 8(6), Art. no. P06007. Forsström, S. & Kanter, T. (2013). Continuously Changing Information on a Global Scale and its Impact for the Internet-of-Things. Journal on spesial topics in mobile networks and applications, 19(1), 33-44. Forsström S, Kanter T. (2013). Enabling ubiquitous sensor-assisted applications on the internet-of-things. // Personal and Ubiquitous Computing. - 2013:18 (4), s. 977-986 Fröjdh, E., Fröjdh, C., Gimenez, E. N., Krapohl, D., Maneuski, D., Norlin, B., . . . Zain, R. M. (2013). Probing Defects in a Small Pixellated CdTe Sensor Using an Inclined Mono Energetic X-Ray Micro Beam. IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science, 60(4), 2864-2869. Gao J, Sidén J, Nilsson H, Gulliksson M. (2013)Printed Humidity Sensor with Memory Functionality for Passive RFID tags. IEEE Sensors Journal. 2013;13(5):1824-1834. Greiffenberg D, Becker J, Bianco L, Dinapoli R, Goettlicher P, Graafsma H, et al. (2013)Optimization of the noise performance of the AGIPD prototype chips. Journal of Instrumentation. 2013;8(10):Art. no. P10022. Imran M, Ahmad n, Khursheed K,Waheed M A, Lawal N, O´Nils M. (2013)Implementation of Wireless Vision Sensor Node With a Lightweight Bi-Level Video Coding. IEEE Circuits and Systems Society; IEEE Journal on Emerging and Selected Topics in Circuits and Systems. 2013;3(2):198-209. Jason J, Nilsson H, Arvidsson B, Larsson A. (2013)Robustness analysis of an intensity modulated fiber-optic position sensor with an image sensor readout system. Optical Society of America; Applied Optics. 2013;52(16):3876-3883. Jason J, Rugeland P, Tarasenko O, Margulis W, Nilsson H. (2013)Temperature characteristics of the birefringence properties of filled side-hole fibers. Optical Society of America; Applied Optics. 2013;52(21):5208-5215. Khursheed K, Ahmad N, Imran M, O’Nils M. (2013) The effect of packets relaying on the implementation issues of the visual sensor node. Electronics and Electrical Engineering. 2013;19(10):155-161. Khursheed K, Imran M, Ahmad N, O’Nils M. (2013)Bi-Level Video Codec for Machine Vision Embedded Applications. ELEKTRONIKA IR ELEKTROTECHNIKA. 2013;19(8):93-96. Khursheed K, Imran M, Ahmad N, O’Nils M. (2013)Efficient Data Reduction Techniques for Remote Applications of a Wireless Visual Sensor Network. International Journal of Advanced Robotic Systems. 2013;10:Art. no. 240. Kotte H B, Ambatipudi R, Bertilsson K. (2013)High Speed (MHz) Series Resonant Converter (SRC) Using Multilayered Coreless Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Step-Down Power Transformer. IEEE transactions on power electronics. 2013;28(3):1253-1264. Krapohl D, Fröjdh C, Fröjdh E, Maneuski D, Nilsson H. (2013) Investigation of charge collection in a CdTe-Timepix detector. 14th International Workshop on Radiation Imaging Detectors (iWoRID 2012); 20-25 June 2012; Figueira da Foz, Portugal.. Journal of Instrumentation. 2013;8(May):Art. no. C05003.
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Majid A, Saleem J,Alam F, Bertilsson K. (2013)EMI Suppression in High Frequency Half Bridge Converter. 17th International Conference 2013 Palanga. Kauno Technologijos Universitetas Lithuania; Elektronika ir Elektrotechnika. 2013;19(9):75-80. Marras A, Trunk U, Klyuev A, Becker J, Graafsma H, Shi X, et al. (2013) Front end electronics for European XFEL sensor : The AGIPD project. Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A. 2013;731:79-82. Muddala S M, Olsson R, Sjöström M. (2013)Depth-Included Curvature Inpainting for Disocclusion Filling in View Synthesis. International Academy, Research and Industry Association (IARIA); International Journal On Advances in Telecommunications. 2013;6(3&4):132-142. Norlin B, Fröjdh C, Fröjdh E. (2013)Spectral X-ray imaging with single photon processing detectors. 14th International Workshop on Radiation Imaging Detectors, Topical Workshop on Electronics for Particle Physics, JUL 01-05, 2012, SEP 17-21, 2012, Figueira da Foz, PORTUGAL, Oxford, ENGLAND. Journal of Instrumentation. 2013;8:Art. no. C02010. Reza S, Norlin B, Thim J, Fröjdh C. (2013)Non-Destructive Method to Resolve the Core and the Coating on Paperboard by Spectroscopic X-ray Imaging. Nordic Pulp & Paper Research Journal. 2013;28(3):439-442. Rydberg S, Engholm M. (2013)Charge transfer processes and UV induced absorption in Yb:YAG single crystal laser materials. Optical Materials Express. 2013;113(22):Art. no. 223510. Rydberg S, Engholm M. (2013)Experimental evidence for the formation of divalent Ytterbium in the photodarkening process of Yb-doped fiber lasers. Optics Express. 2013;21(6):6681-6688. Saleem J, Majid A, Bertilsson K, Carlberg T. (2013) 3 Dimensional Finite Element Simulation of Seam Welding Process. 17th International Conference ELECTRONICS 2013 Palanga, Lithuania. Elektronika Ir Elektrotechnika. 2013;19(8):73-78. Schwarz S, Olsson R, Sjöström M. (2013)Depth Sensing for 3DTV: A Survey. IEEE Computer Society; IEEE Multimedia. 2013;20(4):10-17. Shahzad K, Cheng P, Oelmann B. (2013) Architecture exploration for a high-performance and low-power wireless vibration analyzer. IEEE Sensors Journal. 2013;13(2):670-682. Shen W, Zhang T, Gidlund M, Dobslaw F. (2013)SAS-TDMA: A Source Aware Scheduling Algorithm for Real-Time Communication in Industrial Wireless Sensor Networks. US: Springer-Verlag New York; Wireless networks. 2013;19(6):11551170. Thungström G, Harrnsdorf L, Norlin B, Reza S, Krapohl D, Mattsson S, et al.(2013) Measurement of the sensitive pro?le in a solid state silicon detector, irradiated by X-rays. 14th International Workshop on Radiation Imaging Detectors; 1-5 July 2012; Figueira da Foz, PORTUGAL. Journal of Instrumentation. 2013;8(4):Art. no. C04004-. Yang D, Gidlund M, Shen W, Xu Y, Zhang T, Zhang H. (2013) CCA-Embedded TDMA Enabling Acyclic Traffic in Industrial Wireless Sensor Networks. Elsevier; Ad hoc networks. 2013;11(3):1105-1121. Zhang R, Andersson H, Andersson M, Andres B, Edlund H, Edström P, et al. (2013) Soap-film coating : High-speed deposition of multilayer nanofilms. Nature Publishing Group; Scientific Reports. 2013;3:Art. no. 1477.
Doctoral Thesis Ahmad N. (2013) Modelling, optimization and design of visual sensor networks for sky surveillance. [Thesis]. Sundsvall: Mid Sweden University; Mid Sweden University doctoral thesis, 166. Alam M A. (2013). Online optical method for real-time surface measurement using line-of-light triangulation. Diss. (Sammanläggning) Sweden Sundsvall: Mid Sweden University; 2013 (Mid Sweden University doctoral thesis: 171) Ambatipudi R. (2013). High Frequency (MHz) Planar Transformers forNext Generation Switch Mode Power Supplies. Diss. (Sammanläggning) Sundsvall: Mid Sweden University; 2013 (Mid Sweden University doctoral thesis: 159) Bader S. (2013). On the lifetime and usability of environmental monitoring wireless sensor networks. Diss. (Sammanläggning) Sundsvall: Mid Sweden University; 2013 (Mid Sweden University doctoral thesis: 161) Gao J. (2013). Antenna-based passive UHF RFID sensor tags : Design and application. Diss. (Sammanläggning) Sundsvall: Mid Sweden University; 2013 (Mid Sweden University doctoral thesis: 157) Imran M. (2013). Energy Efficient and ProgrammableArchitecture for Wireless Vision Sensor Node. Diss. (Sammanläggning) Sundsvall: Mid Sweden University; 2013. (Mid Sweden University doctoral thesis: 167)
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Jason J. (2013). Fibre-Optic Displacement and Temperature Sensing Using Coupling Based Intensity Modulation and Polarisation Modulation Techniques. Diss. (Sammanläggning) Sundsvall: Mittuniversitetet; 2013 (Mid Sweden University doctoral thesis: 156) Khursheed K. (2013). Investigation of intelligence partitioning and data reduction in wireless visual sensor network. Diss. (Sammanläggning) Sundsvall: Mid Sweden University; 2013 (Mid Sweden University doctoral thesis: 150) Kotte H B. (2013). High Frequency (MHz) Resonant Converters using GaN HEMTs and Novel Planar Transformer Technology. Diss. (Sammanläggning) Sundsvall, Sweden: Mid Sweden University; 2013 (Mid Sweden University doctoral thesis: 158) Majid A. (2013). Analysis and EMI suppression of MHz frequency range switch mode power supplies. Diss. (Sammanläggning) Sundsvall: Mid Sweden University; 2013 (Mid Sweden University doctoral thesis: 164) Saleem J. (2013). Power electronics for - and modelling of - resistance welding equipment. Diss. (Sammanläggning) Sundsvall: Mid Sweden University; 2013 (Mid Sweden University doctoral thesis: 163) Thiagarajan K. (2013). Monte Carlo simulation of electron transport in semiconducting zigzag carbon nanotubes. Diss. (Sammanläggning) Sundsvall: Mid Sweden University; 2013 (Mid Sweden University doctoral thesis: 132)
Licentiate thesis Damghanian M. (2013). The Sampling Pattern Cube : A Framework for Representation and Evaluation of Plenoptic Capturing Systems. Lic.avh. Sundsvall: Mittuniversitetet, 2013 (Mid Sweden University licentiate thesis: 99) Li Y. (2013). Coding of three-dimensional video content : Depth image coding by diffusion. Lic.avh. Sundsvall: Mittuniversitetet, 2013 (Mid Sweden University licentiate thesis) Muddala S M. (2013). View Rendering for 3DTV. Lic.avh. Sundsvall: Mittuniversitetet, 2013 (Mid Sweden University licentiate thesis: 101) Rydberg S. (2013). Radiation induced losses in Ytterbium doped laser materials. Lic.avh. Sundsvall: Mittuniversitetet, 2013 (Mid Sweden University licentiate thesis: 96) Wang K. (2013). Stereoscopic 3D Video Quality of Experience : impact of coding, transmission and display technologies. Lic.avh. Sundsvall: Mittuniversitetet, 2013 (Mid Sweden University licentiate thesis: 98)
Conference papers Ahmad, N., Imran, M., Khursheed, K., Lawal, N. & O’Nils, M. (2013). Solution space exploration of volumetric surveillance using a general taxonomy. In: Daniel J. Henry (Ed.), Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering: . Paper presented at Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (ISR) Systems and Applications X; Baltimore, MD; United States; 1 May 2013 through 2 May 2013; Code 98146 (pp. Art. no. 871317). Ambatipudi, R., Kotte, H. B. & Bertilsson, K. (2013). High Performance Planar Power Transformer with High Power Density in MHz Frequency Region for Next Generation Switch Mode Power Supplies. In: Conference Proceedings - IEEE Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition - APEC: . Paper presented at 28th Annual IEEE Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition APEC 2013, March 17 - 21, 2013, Long Beach, California (pp. 2139-2143). IEEE conference proceedings. Bader S, Krämer M, Oelmann B.(2013). A Domain-Specific Platform for Research in Environmental Wireless Sensor Networks. In: SENSORCOMM 2013, The Seventh International Conference on Sensor Technologies and Applications: . Seventh International Conference on Sensor Technologies and Applications, SENSORCOMM 2013, August 25 - 31, 2013 Barcelona, Spain. 2013. p. 200-207. Bader S, Oelmann B. (2013). Concealing the complexity of node programming in wireless sensor networks. In: Proceedings of the 2013 IEEE 8th International Conference on Intelligent Sensors, Sensor Networks and Information Processing: Sensing the Future, ISSNIP 2013: Melbourne, VIC; Australia; 2 April 2013 through 5 April 2013; Category numberCFP13842-CDR; Code 97771. IEEE conference proceedings; 2013. p. 177-182.
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Bader S, Oelmann B. (2013). Short-term energy storage for wireless sensor networks using solar energy harvesting. In: Networking, Sensing and Control (ICNSC), 2013 10th IEEE International Conference on: . 2013 IEEE Tenth International Conference on Networking, Sensing and Control. IEEE; 2013. p. 71-76. Barac F, Gidlund M, Zhang T. (2013). Channel Coding and Interleaving in Industrial WSN : Abiding to Timing Constraints and Bit Error Nature. In: : . 2013 IEEE International Workshop on Measurements & Networking (M&N 2013), October 7-8 2013, Naples, Italy.. 2013. p. 46-51. Barkowsky M, Li J, Han T, Youn S, Ok J, Lee C, et al. (2013). Towards standardized 3DTV QoE assessment : Cross-lab study on display technology and viewing environment parameters. In: Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering: . 24th IS and T/SPIE Stereoscopic Displays and Applications Conference, SD and A 2013; Burlingame, CA; United States; 4 February 2013 through 6 February 2013; Code 97281. 2013. p. Art. no. 864809-. Brunnström K, Wang K, Andrén B. (2013). Simulator Sickness analysis of 3D video viewing on passive 3D TV. In: Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering: . 24th IS and T/SPIE Stereoscopic Displays and Applications Conference, SD and A 2013; Burlingame, CA; United States; 4 February 2013 through 6 February 2013; Code 97281. 2013. p. Art. no. 864802-. Damghanian M, Olsson R, Sjöström M, Navarro Fructuoso H, Martinez Corral M. (2013). Investigating the lateral resolution in a plenoptic capturing system using the SPC model. In: Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering: Digital photography IX. Digital Photography IX; Burlingame, CA; United States; 4 February 2013 through 6 February 2013; Code 96436. SPIE - International Society for Optical Engineering; 2013. p. 86600T-. Dobslaw F.(2013). QoS Assessment for Mission-critical Wireless Sensor Network Applications. In: Proceedings of IEEE LCN 2013: . IEEE Local Communication Networks 2013. IEEE Xplore; 2013. p. 1-4. Duan J,Yang D, Zhang S, Zhao J, Gidlund M.(2013). A Trust Management Scheme for Industrial Wireless Sensor Networks. In: : . 39th Annual Conference of the IEEE Industrial Electronics Society, 2013. Engholm M, Rydberg S, Hammarling K. (2013). Strong excited state absorption (ESA) in Yb-doped fiber lasers. In: Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering: . Fiber Lasers X: Technology, Systems, and Applications; San Francisco, CA; United States; 4 February 2013 through 7 February 2013; Code 97120. 2013. p. Art. no. 86010P-. Eriksson M, Rahman S M, Fraile F, Sjöström M.(2013). Efficient Interactive Multicast over DVB-T2 : Utilizing Dynamic SFNs and PARPS. In: IEEE International Symposium on Broadband Multimedia Systems and Broadcasting, BMSB: . 8th IEEE International Symposium on Broadband Multimedia Systems and Broadcasting, BMSB 2013; London; United Kingdom; 4 June 2013 through 7 June 2013; Category numberCFP13BRO-ART; Code 100792. IEEE conference proceedings; 2013. p. Art. no. 6621700-. Fröjdh C, Krapohl D, Reza S, Fröjdh E, Thungström G, Norlin B.(2013). Spectral resolution in pixel detectors with single photon processing. In: Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering: . SPIE Conference on Hard X-Ray, Gamma-Ray and Neutron Detector Physics XV; San Diego, CA; United States; 26 August 2013 through 28 August 2013; Code 100563. SPIE - International Society for Optical Engineering; 2013. p. Art. no. 88520O-. Gao J, Sidén J, Nilsson H.(2013). An Analytical Model for Electro-magnetically Coupled UHF RFID Sensor Tags. In: Proceeding of the 7th Annual IEEE International Conference on RFID: . IEEE RFID 2013. p. 66-73. Gao J, Sidén J, Nilsson H.(2013). Characterization of UHF RFID Sensor Tags with Electromagnetically Coupled Passive Sensors. In: Proceeding of European Conference on Smart Objects, Systems and Technologies (Smart-SysTech 2013): . Smart-SysTech 2013. p. 1-7. Gao J, Sidén J, Nilsson H.(2013). On the Influence of Edge Roughness in High-Speed RFID Antenna Manufacturing Processes. In: Proceeding of the 34th Progress in Electromagnetics Research Symposium (PIERS 2013): . Progress in Electromagnetics Research Symposium, PIERS 2013 Stockholm; Stockholm; Sweden; 12 August 2013 through 15 August 2013; Code 99730. 2013. p. 571-576.
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Imran M, Ahmad N, Khursheed K, O´Nils M, Lawal N.(2013). Low Complexity Background Subtraction for Wireless Vision Sensor Node. In: Proceedings - 16th Euromicro Conference on Digital System Design, DSD 2013: . 16TH EUROMICRO CONFERENCE ON DIGITAL SYSTEM DESIGN; 4-6 SEP 2013; SANTANDER, SPAIN. 2013. p. 681-688. Imran M, Benkrid K, Khursheed K, Ahmad N, O´Nils M, Lawal N.(2013). Analysis and Characterization of Embedded Vision Systems for Taxonomy Formulation. In: Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering: . Real-Time Image and Video Processing 2013; Burlingame, CA; United States; 6 February 2013 through 7 February 2013; Code 96385. USA; 2013. p. Art. no. 86560J-. Iqbal Z, Gidlund M,Åkerberg J.(2013). Deterministic and Event triggered MAC protocol for Industrial Wireless Networks. In: : . IEEE International Conference on Industrial Technology, (ICIT 2013). 2013. p. 1252-1259. Khursheed K, Ahmad N, Imran M, O’Nils M.(2013). Binary video codec for data reduction in wireless visual sensor networks. In: Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering: . Real-Time Image and Video Processing 2013; Burlingame, CA; United States; 6 February 2013 through 7 February 2013; Code 96385. SPIE - International Society for Optical Engineering; 2013. p. Art. no. 86560L-. Kotte H B, Ambatipudi R, Bertilsson K.(2013). A 45W LLC resonant Converter in MHz Frequency Region for Laptop Adapter Application using GaN HEMTs. In: : . Proceedings of PCIM Europe 2013 Conference, 14 - 16 May 2013, Nuremberg, Germany. Berlin; 2013. p. 1029-1035. Krapohl D. (2013). Comparison of energy resolution spectra of CdTe TIMEPIX detector working in photon counting and time-over-threshold mode. In: Nuclear Science Symposium and Medical Imaging Conference (NSS/MIC), 2013 IEEE: . Nuclear Science Symposium and Medical Imaging Conference (NSS/MIC), 2013 IEEE. Krämer M, Bader S, Oelmann B. (2013). Implementing Wireless Sensor Network applications using hierarchical finite state machines. In: Networking, Sensing and Control (ICNSC), 2013 10th IEEE International Conference on: . 2013 IEEE Tenth International Conference on Networking, Sensing and Control, 10-12 April 2013. IEEE conference proceedings; 2013. p. 124-129. Kulyk V, Tavakoli S, Folkesson M, Brunnström K, Wang K, Garcia N.(2013). 3D video quality assessment with multi-scale subjective method. In: 2013 5th International Workshop on Quality of Multimedia Experience, QoMEX 2013 - Proceedings: . 2013 5th International Workshop on Quality of Multimedia Experience, QoMEX 2013; Klagenfurt am Worthersee; Austria; 5 July 2013 through 7 July 2013; Category numberCFP13QOM-ART; Code 99942. 2013. p. 106-111. Li Y, Sjöström M, Jennehag U, Olsson R, Sylvain T. (2013). Subjective Evaluation of an Edge-based Depth Image Compression Scheme. In: Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering: Stereoscopic Displays and Applications XXIV. 24th IS and T/SPIE Stereoscopic Displays and Applications Conference, SD and A 2013; Burlingame, CA; United States; 4 February 2013 through 6 February 2013; Code 97281. SPIE - International Society for Optical Engineering; 2013. p. Art. no. 86480D-. Li Y, Sjöström M, Jennehag U, Olsson R.(2013). Depth Image Post-processing Method by Diffusion. In: Proceedings of SPIEThe International Society for Optical Engineering: 3D Image Processing (3DIP) and Applications. 3D Image Processing (3DIP) and Applications 2013; 3-7 Feb 2013; Burlingame, Ca, USA; Conference 8650. SPIE - International Society for Optical Engineering; 2013. p. Art. no. 865003-. Li Y, Sjöström M, Jennehag U, Olsson R. (2013). Depth Map Compression with Diffusion Modes in 3D-HEVC. In: proceeding of MMEDIA 2013: The Fifth International Conferences on Advances in Multimedia. MMedia 2013, Venice, Italy. International Academy, Research and Industry Association (IARIA); 2013. p. 125-129. Majid A, Saleem J, Alam F, Bertilsson K. (2013). Analysis of radiated EMI for power converters switching in MHz frequency range. In: Proceedings - 2013 9th IEEE International Symposium on Diagnostics for Electric Machines, Power Electronics and Drives, SDEMPED 2013: . 2013 9th IEEE International Symposium on Diagnostics for Electric Machines, Power Electronics and Drives, SDEMPED 2013; Valencia; Spain; 27 August 2013 through 30 August 2013; Category number CFP13SDE-ART; Code 101470. IEEE conference proceedings; 2013. p. 428-432.
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Muddala S M, Olsson R, Sjöström M. (2013). Disocclusion Handling Using Depth-Based Inpainting. In: Proceedings of MMEDIA 2013, The Fifth InternationalConferences on Advances in Multimedia, Venice, Italy, 2013: . Fifth International Conferences on Advances in Multimedia; MMEDIA 2013; Apr 21-26 2013;Venice, Italy. International Academy, Research and Industry Association (IARIA); 2013. Muddala S M, Sjöström M, Olsson R, Tourancheau S.(2013). Edge-aided virtual view rendering for multiview video plus depth. In: Proceedings of SPIE Volume 8650, Burlingame, CA, USA, 2013: 3D Image Processing (3DIP) and Applications 2013. 3D Image Processing (3DIP) and Applications 2013, 3-7 Feb 2013; Burlingame, Ca, USA, Conference 8650. SPIE International Society for Optical Engineering; 2013. p. Art. no. 86500E-. Navarro-Fructuoso H, Saavedra-Tortosa G, Martinez-Corral M, Sjöström M, Olsson R.(2013). Extended depth-of-field in integral imaging by depth-dependent deconvolution. In: : . 24th IS and T/SPIE Stereoscopic Displays and Applications Conference, SD and A 2013; Burlingame, CA; United States; 4 February 2013 through 6 February 2013; Code 97281. SPIE - International Society for Optical Engineering; 2013. Pang Z,Yu K, Åkerberg J, Gidlund M.(2013). An RTOS-based Architecture for Industrial Wireless Sensor Network Stacks with Multi-Processor Support. In: : . IEEE International Conference on Industrial Technology, (ICIT 2013). 2013. p. 12161221. Ray A, Åkerberg J, Gidlund M, Björkman M.(2013). A Solution for Industrial Device Commissioning along with the Initial Trust Establishment. In: : . 39th Annual Conference of the IEEE Industrial Electronics Society. 2013. Ray A, Åkerberg J, Gidlund M, Björkman M. (2013.) Initial Key Distribution in Industrial Wireless Sensor Network. In: : . IEEE International Conference on Industrial Technology, (ICIT 2013). Ray A, Åkerberg J, Gidlund M, Tremlet C. (2013). Reusability assessment of financial card readers security mechanisms in process control devices. In: : . 11th International Conference on Industrial Informatics (INDIN’13). 2013. Shen W, Zhang T, Gidlund M. (2013). Joint Routing and MAC for Critical Traffic in Industrial Wireless Sensor and Actuator Networks. In: IEEE International Symposium on Industrial Electronics: . 2013 IEEE 22nd International Symposium on Industrial Electronics, ISIE 2013;Taipei;Taiwan; 28 May 2013 through 31 May 2013; Code 98542. 2013. p. Art. no. 6563730-. Sidén J, Gao J, Nilsson H. (2013). On the Impact of EdgeRoughness to Narrowband and Wideband Flat Dipole Antennas. In: Proceedings of the International IEEE Conference on Microwaves, Communications, Antennas and Electronic Systems: . IEEE COMCAS 2013. 2013. Sidén J, Nilsson H. (2013). An Electrically Small Elliptic PIFA for RFID in Harsh Metallic Environments. In: : . Proceedings of the International IEEE Conference on Microwaves, Communications, Antennas and Electronic Systems. 2013. Tang J, Zhang T. (2013). Mid Sweden University: A survey of wireless sensor networks for home healthcare monitoring application. In: SENSORNETS 2013 - Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Sensor Networks: . 2nd International Conference on Sensor Networks, SENSORNETS 2013; Barcelona; Spain; 19 February 2013 through 21 February 2013; Code 97050. 2013. p. 240-243. Thrybom L, Gidlund M, Neander J. (2013). Key Requirements for Successful Deployment of Positioning Applications in Industrial Automation. In: : . International Conference on Indoor Positioning and Indoor Navigation (IPIN). 2013. Wang K, Brunnström K, Barkowsky M, Urvoy M, Sjöström M, Le Callet P, et al. (2013). Stereoscopic 3D video coding quality evaluation with 2D objective metrics. In: Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering: . 24th IS and T/SPIE Stereoscopic Displays and Applications Conference, SD and A 2013; Burlingame, CA; United States; 4 February 2013 through 6 February 2013; Code 97281. 2013. p. Art. no. 86481L-. Proceedings of SPIE, 8648. Yu K, Gidlund M, Åkerberg J, Björkman M.(2013). Low Jitter Scheduling for Industrial Wireless Sensor and Actuator Networks. In: : . 39th Annual Conference of the IEEE Industrial Electronics Society. 2013. Yu K, Gidlund M, Åkerberg J, Björkman M. (2013). Reliable Real-time Routing Protocol for Industrial Wireless Sensor and Actuator Networks. In: : . 8th IEEE Conference on Industrial Electronics and Applications, (ICIEA’13). 2013.
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Yu K, Zheng T, Pang Z, Gidlund M, Åkerberg J, Björkman M. (2013). Reliable Flooding-based Downlink Transmissions for Industrial Wireless Sensor and Actuator Networks. In: : . IEEE International Conference on Industrial Technology, (ICIT 2013). 2013. Zheng T, Gidlund M, Åkerberg J.(2013). Wireless Arbitration : A Priority-Based Deterministic Media Access Technique for Industrial Wireless Sensor Networks. In: : . Annual IEEE International Symposium on Personal, Indoor and Mobile Radio Communications, (PIMRC’13). 2013. Brunnström, K. (2013). “3D user experience and display performance”, Invited SID Market Focus Conference: High Performance Displays, 23 May 2013,Vancouver, Canada Rizek, H., Brunnström, K., Wang, K., Andrén, B., and Johanson, M.(2013). Subjective evaluation of a 3D video conferencing system In Woods, A. J., Holliman, N. S., and Favalora, G. E. (Eds.), IS&T/SPIE. Proc Stereoscopic Displays and Applications XXV: 9011, (pp. paper 7). Bellingham, WA, USA: (2014) Cuadra-Sanchez, A., Cutanda-Rodriguez, M., Lopez de Vergara, J. E., Aurelius, A., Brunnström, K., Varela, M., Laulajainen, J.P., Anderson, M., Cavalli, A., and Perez-Mateos, I. (2013). Ecosystem for Customer Experience Assurance Proceedings of IEEE SaCoNeT 2013 Brunnström, K., Ananth, I. V., Hedberg, C., Wang, K., Andrén, B., and Barkowsky, M.(2013). Comparison between different rating scales for 3D TV SID Symposium Digest of Technical Papers: Proc of SID Display Week 2013, May 21-24, 2013, Vanvouver, Canada, (pp. paper 36.4 ). SID Symposium Digest of Technical Papers: Society of Information Displays.(2013).
PATENTs Bertilsson K. (2013). A transformer. Europe EP2242067B1 2013-01-23. Landernäs K, Gidlund M, Åkerholm M, Neander J. (2013). Method positioning unit and system for communication in a mine. WIPO WO/2013/026461
rEPORTS Ahmad N, O’Nils M, Lawal N. A taxonomy of visual surveillance systems. 2013. Research report in electronics.
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a newly built X-Ray lab A new X-ray characterization lab has been built at STC. The room is about 4 meters long and fully shielded with lead. A nanofocus X-ray tube together with slits and an extensive set of sample holders is mounted on an optical table. This setup is suitable for X-ray microscopy as well as phase contrast imaging. The research work is done by the Radiation Sensor Systems group whose work is based on the MEDIPIX family of readout electronics and the collaboration within the MEDIPIX consortium. Sida 73
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publications 2014 Articles in journals Alam M A, O’Nils M, Manuilskiy A, Thim J, Westerlind C. Limitation of a line-of-light online paper surface measurement system. IEEE Sensors Journal. 2014;14(8):2715-2724. Alam M A, O’Nils M, Manuilskiy A, Thim J. Real time surface measurement technique in a wide range of wavelengths spectrum. IEEE Sensors Journal. 2014;14(1):285-294. Andersson H, Manuilskiy A, Gao J, Lidenmark C, Sidén J, Forsberg S, et al. Investigation of Humidity Sensor Effect in Silver Nanoparticle Ink Sensors Printed on Paper. IEEE Sensors Journal. 2014;14(3):Art. no. 6615915-. Andersson H, Manuilskiy A, Haller S, Hummelgård M, Sidén J, Hummelgård C, et al. Assembling surface mounted components on ink-jet printed double sided paper circuit board. Institute of Physics (IOP); Nanotechnology. 2014;25:Art. no. 094002-. Andersson H, Manuilskiy A, Sidén J, Gao J, Hummelgård M, Kunninmel G, et al. Chemically programmed ink-jet printed resistive WORM memory array and readout circuit. Institute of Physics (IOP); Materials Research Express. 2014;1(3):035021-. Andrén B, Brunnström K,Wang K. Readability of displays in bright outdoor surroundings. Digest of Technical Papers - SID International Symposium. 2014;45(1):1100-1103. Ashraf S, Mattsson C,Thungström G, Rödjegard H. Integration of an interferometric IR absorber into an epoxy membrane based CO2 detector. 15th INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP ON RADIATION IMAGING DETECTORS 23?27 JUNE 2013,PARIS, FRANCE. Journal of Instrumentation. 2014;9(5):Art. no. C05035-. Bader S, Ma X, Oelmann B. On the Modeling of Solar-Powered Wireless Sensor Nodes. Journal of Sensor and Actuator Networks. 2014;3(3):207-223. Barac F, Caiola S, Gidlund M, Sisinni E, Zhang T. Channel Diagnostics for Wireless Sensor Networks in Harsh Industrial Environments. IEEE Sensors Journal. 2014;14(11):3983-3995. Barac F, Gidlund M, Zhang T. Scrutinizing Bit- and Symbol-Errors of IEEE 802.15.4 Communication in Industrial Environments. IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement. 2014;63(7):1783-1794. Barac F, Gidlund M, Zhang T. Ubiquitous, yet Deceptive: Hardware-Based Channel Metrics on Interfered WSN Links. IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology. 2014; De Gaspari M,Alozy J, Ballabriga R, Campbell M, Fröjdh E, Idarraga J, et al. Design of the analog front-end for the Timepix3 and Smallpix hybrid pixel detectors in 130 nm CMOS technology. Journal of Instrumentation. 2014;9:Art. no. C01037-. Esebamen O X, Thungström G, Nilsson H, Lundgren A. Comparative Study of UV Radiation Hardness of n+p and p+n Duo-Lateral Position Sensitive Detectors. European Physical Journal. 2014;68(2):Art. no. 21301-. Esebamen O X, Thungström G, Nilsson H, Lundgren A. Gridded Duo-lateral Position Sensitivity Detector with High Linearity to Low Energetic Electrons in Vacuum Environment. IET Optoelectronics. 2014;8(6):217-225. Forsström S, Kanter T. Continuously Changing Information on a Global Scale and its Impact for the Internet-of-Things. Journal on spesial topics in mobile networks and applications. 2014;19(1):33-44. Forsström S, Kanter T. Enabling Ubiquitous Sensor-Assisted Applications on the Internet-of-Things. Personal and Ubiquitous Computing. 2014;18(4):977-986. Fröjdh E, Ballabriga R, Campbell M, Fiederle M, Hamann E, Koenig T, et al. Count rate linearity and spectral response of the Medipix3RX chip coupled to a 300?m silicon sensor under high flux conditions. Journal of Instrumentation. 2014;9(4):Art. no. C04028-.
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Greiffenberg D, Becker J, Bianco L, Dinapoli R, Goettlicher P, Graafsma H, et al. Towards AGIPD1.0 : Optimization of the dynamic range and investigation of a pixel input protection. Journal of Instrumentation. 2014;9(6):Art. no. P06001-. Imran M, Khursheed K, Ahmad N, O’Nils M, Lawal N, Waheed M A. Complexity Analysis of Vision Functions for Comparison of Wireless Smart Cameras. International Journal of Distributed Sensor Networks. 2014;:Art. no. 710685-. Imran M, Shahzad K, Ahmad N, O’Nils M, Lawal N, Oelmann B. Energy Efficient SRAM FPGA based Wireless Vision Sensor Node: SENTIOF?CAM. IEEE transactions on circuits and systems for video technology (Print). 2014;24(12):2132-2143. Kok A, Kohout Z, Hansen T --E, Petersson S, Pospisil S, Rokne J, et al. Silicon sensors with pyramidal structures for neutron imaging. 15th International Workshop on Radiation Imaging Detectors, JUN 23-27, 2013, Paris, FRANCE. Journal of Instrumentation. 2014;9:Art. no. C04011-. Malik A W,Thörnberg B, Muhammad I, Lawal N. Hardware Architecture for Real-time Computation of Image Component Feature Descriptors on a FPGA. International Journal of Distributed Sensor Networks. 2014;:Art. no. 815378-. Meng X, Thörnberg B, Olsson L. Strategic Proactive Obsolescence Management Model. IEEE Components, Packaging, and Manufacturing Technology Society; IEEE Transactions on Components, Packaging, and Manufacturing Technology. 2014;4(6):1099-1108. Mustafa M S, Cheng P, Oelmann B. Stator-Free Low Angular Speed Sensor Based on a MEMS Gyroscope. IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement. 2014;63(11):2591-2598. Navarro H, Saavedra G, Martinez-Corral M, Sjöström M, Olsson R. Depth-of-field enhancement in integral imaging by selective depth-deconvolution. IEEE/OSA; IEEE/OSA Journal of Display Technology. 2014;10(3):182-188. Reza S, Pelzer G,Weber T, Fröjdh C, Bayer F, Anton G, et al. Investigation on the directional dark-field signals from paperboards using a grating interferometer. Journal of Instrumentation. 2014;9:Art. no. C04032-. Schwarz S, Sjöström M, Olsson R. A Weighted Optimization Approach to Time-of-Flight Sensor Fusion. IEEE Signal Processing Society; IEEE Transactions on Image Processing. 2014;23(1):214-225. Schwarz S, Sjöström M, Olsson R. Multivariate Sensitivity Analysis of Time-of-Flight Sensor Fusion. Springer Publishing Company; 3D Research. 2014;5(3) Schübel A, Krapohl D, Fröjdh E, Fröjdh C, Thungström G. A Geant4 based framework for pixel detector simulation. 16th International Workshop on Radiation Imaging Detectors. Journal of Instrumentation. 2014;9(12):Art. no. C12018-. Shen W, Zhang T, Barac F, Gidlund M. PriorityMAC: A Priority-Enhanced MAC Protocol for Critical Traffic in Industrial Wireless Sensor and Actuator Networks. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics. 2014;10(1):824-835. Singer A, Lorenz U, Marras A, Klyuev A, Becker J, Schlage K, et al. Intensity Interferometry of Single X-Ray Pulses from a Synchrotron Storage Ring. Physical Review Letters. 2014;113(6):Art. no. 064801-. Thungström G, Esebamen O X, Krapohl D, Fröjdh C, Nilsson H, Petersson S, et al. Fabrication, Characterization and Simulation of Channel Stop for n in p-Substrate Silicon Pixel Detectors. Journal of Instrumentation. 2014;9(7):Art. no. C07013-. Wang L, Wang G, Sidén J. Design of fragment-type isolation structures for MIMO antennas. Progress In Electromagnetics Research C. 2014;52:71-82. Wunderer C B, Marras A, Bayer M, Glaser L, Göttlicher P, Lange S, et al. The PERCIVAL soft X-ray imager. Journal of Instrumentation. 2014;9(3):Art. no. C03056-. Yu K, Pang Z, Gidlund M, Åkerberg J, Björkman M. REALFLOW: Reliable Real-Time Flooding-Based Routing Protocol for Industrial Wireless Sensor Networks. International Journal of Distributed Sensor Networks. 2014;2014(Article ID 936379):1-17. Zhang R, Andersson H, Olsen M, Hummelgård M, Edvardsson S, Nilsson H, et al. Piezoelectric gated ZnO nanowire diode studied by in situ TEM probing. Elsevier; Nano Energy. 2014;3:10-15.
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Doctoral Thesis Esebamen O X. Characterization of interface states & radiation damage effects in duo-lateral PSDs : Using SEM microscopy and UV beam profiling techniques. [Thesis]. Sundsvall: Mid Sweden University; 2014. Mid Sweden University doctoral thesis, 195. Forsström S. Enabling fully distributed global services on the Internet-of Things. [Thesis]. Sundsvall: Mid Sweden University; 2014. Mid Sweden University doctoral thesis, 208. Malik A W. Real-Time Optical Position Sensing on FPGA. [Thesis]. Sundsvall: Mid Sweden University; 2014. Mid Sweden University doctoral thesis, 176. Meng X. Technology Driven Obsolescence Management for Embedded Systems. [Thesis]. Sundsvall: Mid Sweden University; 2014. Mid Sweden University doctoral thesis, 186. Schwarz S. Gaining Depth :Time-of-Flight Sensor Fusion for Three-Dimensional Video Content Creation. [Thesis]. Sundsvall: Mittuniversitetet; 2014. Mid Sweden University doctoral thesis, 185. Shahzad K. Energy Efficient Wireless Sensor Node Architecture for Data and Computation Intensive Applications. [Thesis]. Sundsvall, Sweden: Mid Sweden University; 2014. Mid Sweden University doctoral thesis, 192. Shen W. A Protocol Framework for Adaptive Real-Time Communication in Industrial Wireless Sensor and Actuator Networks. [Thesis]. Sundsvall: Kopieringen Mittuniversitetet; 2014. Mid Sweden University doctoral thesis, 178.
Licentiate thesis Reza S. Phase-Contrast and Spectroscopic X-ray Imaging for Paperboard Quality Assurance. [Thesis]. Sundsvall: Mid Sweden University; 2014. Mid Sweden University licentiate thesis, 110.
Manuscripts Reza S. Grating based phase-contrast X-ray imaging technique. In: Radiation Detection: . CRC Press; 2014. Vonk V, Graafsma H. In-situ X-ray Diffraction at Synchrotrons and Free-Electron Laser Sources. In: In-situ materials characterization: . Berlin Heidelberg: Springer; 2014. (1)p. 39-58. Springer Series in Materials Science, 193. Ziegler A, Graafsma H. Detectors for Electron and X-ray Scattering and Imaging Experiments. In: In-situ materials characterization: across spatial and temporal scales. Berlin Heidelberg: Springer; 2014. (1)p. 207-250. Springer Series in Materials Science, 193.
Conference papers Agrawal P, Ahlén A, Olofsson T, Gidlund M. Characterization of Long Term Channel Variations in Industrial Wireless Sensor Networks. In: IEEE International Conference on Communications (ICC’14): . IEEE International Conference on Communications (ICC’14), Sydney, Australia, June 2014.. IEEE conference proceedings; 2014. Alecrim V, Zhang R, Hummelgård M, Andersson H, Andersson M, Olin H. Photoconductivity of bulk and liquid processed MoS2. In: : . 1st International Conference on Two Dimensional Materials. 2014. Balliu E, Engholm M, Hellström J, Elgcrona G, Karlsson H. Compact nanosecond pulsed single stage Yb-doped fiber amplifier. In: Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering: . Solid State Lasers XXIII: Technology and Devices; San Francisco, CA; United States; 2 February 2014 through 4 February 2014; Code 104995. 2014. p. Art. no. 895910-. Barac F, Gidlund M, Zhang T. LPED: Channel Diagnostics in WSN Through Channel Coding and Symbol Error Statistics. In: IEEE ISSNIP 2014 - 2014 IEEE 9th International Conference on Intelligent Sensors, Sensor Networks and Information Processing, Conference Proceedings: . 9th IEEE International Conference on Intelligent Sensors, Sensor Networks and Information Processing, IEEE ISSNIP 2014; Singapore; Singapore; 21 April 2014 through 24 April 2014; Category numberCFP14842-ART; Code 106024. IEEE; 2014. p. 1-6.
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Damghanian M, Olsson R, Sjöström M. Performance analysis in Lytro camera: Empirical and model based approaches to assess refocusing quality. In: ICASSP, IEEE International Conference on Acoustics, Speech and Signal Processing - Proceedings: . IEEE International Conference on Acoustics, Speech, and Signal Processing (ICASSP)FLORENCE, ITALY, MAY 4-9, 2014. IEEE conference proceedings; 2014. p. 559-563. Forsström S, Kardeby V, Österberg P, Jennehag U. Challenges when Realizing a Fully Distributed Internet-of-Things - How we Created the SensibleThings Platform. In: ICDT 2014, The Ninth International Conference on Digital Telecommunications: . The Ninth International Conference on Digital Telecommunications ICDT, 2014.. 2014. p. 13-18. Forsström S, Victor K. Estimating Contextual Situations using Indicators from Smartphone Sensor Values. In: : . IEEE International Conference on Internet of Things 2014 (iThings 2014). 2014. Gidlund M, Åkerberg J,Yu K, Hagos Y, Björkman M. Implementation and Evaluation of Error Control Schemes in Industrial Wireless Sensor Networks. In: : . IEEE International Conference on Industrial IT (ICIT’14), Busan, South Korea, Feb 2014.. IEEE conference proceedings; 2014. Hammarling K, Hilborn J, Nilsson H, Manuilskiy A. Blood pH optrode based on evanescent waves and refractive index change. In: Progress in Biomedical Optics and Imaging - Proceedings of SPIE: . Optical Fibers and Sensors for Medical Diagnostics and Treatment Applications XIV, 1 February 2014 through 2 February 2014, San Francisco, CA. 2014. p. Art. no. 89381F-. Hammarling K, Zhang R, Manuilskiy A, Nilsson H. Fiber Bragg Grating filter using Evaporated Induced SelfAssembly of silica nano particles. In: Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering: Optical Components and Materials XI, 8982. Optical Components and Materials XI; San Francisco, CA; United States; 3 February 2014 through 5 February 2014; Code 105139. 2014. p. Art. no. 898225-. Imran M, O? Nils M, Lawal N. Demo: SRAM FPGA based Wireless Smart Camera: SENTIOF-CAM. In: Proceedings of the International Conference on Distributed Smart Cameras: . Eighth ACM/IEEE International Conference on Distributed Smart Cameras ICDSC ’14. 2014. Imran M, O? Nils M, Lawal N. Energy Driven Selection and Hardware Implementation of Bi-Level Image Compression. In: Proceedings of the International Conference on Distributed Smart Cameras: . ACM/IEEE International Conference on Distributed Smart Cameras ICDSC ’14. ACM; 2014. Li Y, Sjöström M, Olsson R, Jennehag U. Efficient Intra Prediction Scheme For Light Field Image Compression. In: ICASSP, IEEE International Conference on Acoustics, Speech and Signal Processing - Proceedings: . 2014 IEEE International Conference on Acoustics, Speech, and Signal Processing, ICASSP 2014; Florence; Italy; 4 May 2014 through 9 May 2014; Category numberCFP14ICA-USB; Code 1066322014. IEEE conference proceedings; 2014. p. Art. no. 6853654-. Muddala S M, Sjöström M, Olsson R. Depth-Based Inpainting For Disocclusion Filling. In: 3DTV-Conference: . 3DTV-Conference: The True Vision - Capture, Transmission and Display of 3D Video, 3DTV-CON 2014; Budapest; Hungary; 2 July 2014 through 4 July 2014; Category numberCFP1455B-ART; Code 107089. IEEE Computer Society; 2014. p. Art. no. 6874752-. Rizek H, Brunnström K, Wang K, Andrén B, Johanson M. Subjective evaluation of a 3D videoconferencing system. In: Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering: . 25th Stereoscopic Displays and Applications Conference, SD and A 2014; San Francisco, CA; United States; 3 February 2014 through 5 February 2014; Code 105015. 2014. p. Art. no. 90110A-. Schwarz S, Sjöström M, Olsson R. Temporal Consistent Depth Map Upscaling for 3DTV. In: Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering: Three-Dimensional Image Processing, Measurement (3DIPM), and Applications 2014. Three-Dimensional Image Processing, Measurement (3DIPM), and Applications 2014; San Francisco, CA; United States; 5 February 2014 through 5 February 2014; Code 105376. 2014. p. Art. no. 901302-. Conference volume, 9013 Schwarz S, Sjöström M, Olsson R. Time-of-Flight Sensor Fusion with Depth Measurement Reliability Weighting. In: 3DTV-Conference: . 3DTV-Conference: The True Vision - Capture, Transmission and Display of 3D Video, 3DTV-CON 2014; Budapest; Hungary; 2 July 2014 through 4 July 2014; Category numberCFP1455B-ART; Code 107089. IEEE Computer Society; 2014. p. Art. no. 6874759-.
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Shahzad K, Oelmann B. A comparative study of in-sensor processing vs. raw data transmission using ZigBee, BLE and Wi-Fi for data intensive monitoring applications. In: 2014 11th International Symposium on Wireless Communications Systems, ISWCS 2014 - Proceedings: . 2014 11th International Symposium on Wireless Communications Systems, ISWCS 2014, 26 August 2014 through 29 August 2014. IEEE conference proceedings; 2014. p. 519-524. Shahzad K, Oelmann B. Investigating Energy Consumption of an SRAM-based FPGA for Duty-Cycle Applications. In: Advances in parallel computing: . International Conference on Parallel Computing - ParCo 2013, 10-13 Sept, Munich. 2014. p. 548-559. Wang K, Andrén B, Hussain M, Brunnström K, Osterman J. Perception and annoyance of crosstalk in stereoscopic 3D projector systems. In: Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering: . 25th Stereoscopic Displays and Applications Conference, SD and A 2014; San Francisco, CA; United States; 3 February 2014 through 5 February 2014; Code 105015. 2014. p. Art. no. 901125-. Yang D, Wang H, Zheng T, Gidlund M, Xu Y, Zhang H. Applying Industrial Wireless Sensor Networks to Welder Machine System. In: IPSN 2014 - Proceedings of the 13th International Symposium on Information Processing in Sensor Networks (Part of CPS Week): .The 13th ACM/IEEE International Conference on Information Processing in Sensor Networks (IPSN 14), Berlin, Germany, 15-17 April, 2014. 2014. p. Art. no. 6835794-. Zheng T, Gidlund M, Åkerberg J. Medium Access Protocol Design for Time-Critical Applications in Wireless Sensor Networks. In: IEEE International Workshop on Factory Communication Systems - Proceedings, WFCS: . 10th IEEE Workshop on Factory Communication Systems,WFCS 2014;Toulouse; France; 5 May 2014 through 7 May 2014; Category number CFP14WFC-ART; Code 106123. 2014. p. Art. no. 6837585-.
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