Studying at the chair of industrial communications

Our lectures are focused both for basic and special knowledge on various topics of industrial communication systems. In particular, topics on the modeling, design, configuration, operation and optimization of Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and Cyber ​​Physical Production Systems (CPPS) are considered for their use in Industry 4.0.

The analysis of networked flexible industrial communication systems in the production and process engineering, with special attention to requirements profiles, architectural principles, realization details as well as integration processes of typical fieldbus systems help us to discuss real-time aspects as well as topics of engineering and management.
We present descriptions, requirements, tool-concepts and realizations for the engineering of several industrial communication systems, considering requirements, concepts, and typical solutions for the network management in the industrial environment.

In order to represent the models, functions, system structures and interfaces of production control systems we introduce various methods, tools and description tools on the basis of fundamental architectures of complex automation systems. In addition, aspects of service-based, distributed architectures for innovative production controls are considered.

Furthermore, we will study the typical basic information models in the field of automation of industrial processes in deep, analyzing the information flows. To this end, requirements, architectural concepts and realizations for Internet applications in the industrial environment will be presented.

All in all, thinking in abstraction and hierarchical levels is what is needed to master the complexity and the special requirements of industrial communication systems in manufacturing and process engineering. The content of the lectures is constantly adapted to the results of current research projects and the latest developments in the context of the cyber physical production system (CPPS), Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and industry 4.0 initiatives. In addition to the lectures, we offer appropriate practical sessions in our well-equipped laboratory. Here, we have networked real-time systems, the possibility to program networked microprocessors and to experiment with different industrial communication systems.

In addition, the chair/department is responsible for the lectures in Computer Science II - software and programming technology in the field of mechanical engineering, process engineering and natural materials technology. Here, we teach several methods, tools and modelling languages needed for system and software development in the individual software life phases, e.g. requirements analysis, design, test. In the tutorial sessions each two weeks, the students can deep in the learned concepts with didactical examples. In addition, there is a semester accompanying project work. This is supported by applied practical sessions each two weeks, in which the matter is further deepened by solving more complex examples in a practical way.

The chair of industrial communications is involved in numerous research projects with industrial partners. For this reason, we are able to offer practically-oriented topics for project works, study and master theses, which are often dealt with in close cooperation with practice partners.