Summary

In embedded microsystems, microsensors and microelectronic components are merged with the methods of computer science into intelligent and communicating units. Inconspicious and powerful at the same time, embedded microsystems are perfectly suited for a large variety of tasks in logistics, process technology, security, and medical engineering, ambient assisted living, and in the automotive industry, making it possible to realize visions such as the "internet of objects". Such a broad range of applications requires the systematic development of methods guaranteeing the reliable operation of embedded microsystems as well as the education of highly qualified researchers. This is the goal of the PhD program "Embedded Microsystems" of the University of Freiburg.

The Faculty of Engineering at the University of Freiburg with its unique constellation consisting of the Department of Microsystems Engineering and the Department of Computer Science offers an ideal environment for this purpose. The synergy effects of the two departments is manifest in the common approach to the close coupling of hardware and software in embedded microsystems.

Within the PhD program, 14 PhD projects and one post-doc project develop design and test methods as well as applications in the fields of localisation and communication, keeping in mind the specific requirements of microsystems subjected to limited resources. The various hardware and software innovations of the PhD program are tested against reality on a jointly developed experimental platform.