Forschung

Research at the chair is characterized by the application, adoption, and further development of methods, concepts and solutions from computer science in the context of flexible production systems.

Based on semantically enriched information models for automation and control functions, components and systems and on description languages, methods, concepts and solutions are explored for integrated engineering and management of industrial systems along their whole life cycle.

The chair addresses the following research areas:
•    Emulation of automation components
The software-based emulation of intelligent field devices contributes to the definition of a “digital twin” and enables – supported by solutions for virtualization – to integrate such devices into functional or hybrid engineering approaches, and into on-line simulation tools. The profile-driven creation, description, and application of such digital twins is in the focus of this research area.
•    5G communications for Factories of the Future
The fusion of wired and wireless communication technologies from both IT and mobile communications is promising flexible, dynamically changeable network structures – supported by concepts like Software Defined Networks (SDN) und Network Function Virtualization (NFV). Research on Quality of Service-driven engineering and management of network slices for applications in automation are in the spotlight.
•    Data exchange formats in automation
The provision of digital data in networked application systems not only calls for easily computable data formats, but also for making available semantic information in order to refer to information models and thus enabling an automatic processing and presentation of content. Based on XML formats and on property-based semantics, seamless description approaches for different application scenarios are explored.
•    Middleware solutions for the management of production systems
Integration processes in the IT context are increaingly supported by middleware solutions. Research is focusing on application aspects of such middleware solutions in automation, and on model-driven information integration (based on service-oriented approaches, OPC UA, and Web-Based Enterprise Management - WBEM).

Application areas for this research are numerous and are spread along the whole life cycle of automation systems. They particularly include:
•    Configuration and commissioning
•    Plug and produce
•    Network management of heterogeneous networks
•    Asset Management
•    Condition Monitoring

Within publically funded and industry-financed research projects, concepts, processes and prototypes are developed and evaluated. The results are published in journals and on national and international conferences.