University: Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Germany
Name of Sponsoring Professor: Prof. Dr. Leonhard Reindl
Department: Laboratory for Electrical Instrumentation, IMTEK

We are using OPNET Modeler for:

The research focus of the Laboratory for Electrical Instrumentation are Smart, Wireless, Autonomous, Microsystems (SWAMs) for sensors and actuators. With SWAMs it is possible to implement novel sensor actuator networks. Such microsystems or sensor actuator networks can be used anywhere, where measured values should be captured, logged, verified, controlled an processed, and where miniaturization and a small power consumption play a fundamental role.

The challenge of the research is to find out which wireless communication technology is the best for SWAMs. In the present work we theoretically could show, that Bluetooth and new RF-Technologies like ZigBee and nanoNet (nanotron Technologies GmbH) are very well suited for such Microsystems.

One goal of our research is to simulate the behaviour of networks realized with a designated number of SWAMs. We want to examine, how the topology, the access method, the number of members, the output power influence the behaviour of the network. We want to consider the real-time capability, the robustness, security and the power consumption behaviour of sensor actuator networks. To solve this questions and problems we want to develop a general model for sensor actuator networks and then analyse the network with OPNET Modeler.