Research field Smart distributed measurement and test systems
Integrated sensor ICs represent the heart of sensor and measurement systems. These can be wireless sensors, handheld diagnostic devices or high-performance stationary device solutions for machine monitoring, for example.
Challenges of increasingly performant sensors
Increasingly performant sensors and their rapidly expanding number lead to immense amounts of data, which are ever more pushing previous technologies to their limits when it comes to transmitting, processing and using them. Therefore, it will be necessary to design systems for sensing, measuring and testing in such a way that they can validate, process and evaluate data automatically in the future. We intend to achieve this by directly incorporating intelligence into the devices. Interconnecting these systems creates the possibility of distributing the tasks in the network. However, new challenges arise in the form of dynamic aspects due to network protocols and changing tasks over time.
In this research field, we therefore focus on three questions
- How can sensor data be automatically processed into usable information as close as possible to the point of origin in a fast, cost-effective and energy-efficient way?
- What additional information can be obtained with the help of distributed sensor systems?
- How can such a system be modelled based on different subsystems in order to evaluate energy requirements, the optimal distribution of functionalities in the network and the influence of topology decisions?
Core topics in this research field
Core topic
Analysis of distributed IoT systems
For complex distributed IoT systems, we model components for system-wide analysis of energy consumption. We put intelligence into the network, enable tasks to be solved flexibly and autonomously, and make individual functions portable and robust.
Core topic
Embedded AI
The numerous existing AI algorithms and methods for high-performance computing are unsuitable for embedded systems. We are researching to optimise AI algorithms and methods so that they can be used on embedded systems.
Core topic
Real-time data processing and communications
New hardware is usually not supported by operating systems for real-time tasks. We are researching which operating system can be implemented in which way for which real-time application and the hardware required there.
Core topic
Modular and mobile test systems
Test capabilities are an integral part of all application developments. We research modular test systems that can be adapted flexibly and quickly to new challenges through optimised functional test units.
Contact
Contact
Dr.-Ing. Tino Hutschenreuther
Head of System Design
tino.hutschenreuther(at)imms.de+49 (0) 3677 874 93 40
Dr. Tino Hutschenreuther will answer your questions on our research in Smart distributed measurement and test systems and the related core topics Analysis of distributed IoT systems, Embedded AI and Real-time data processing and communications, on the lead applications Adaptive edge AI systems for industrial application and IoT systems for cooperative environmental monitoring as well as on the range of services for the development of embedded systems.
Related content
Project
WirelessAccel
IMMS is developing a wireless vibration measurement system for lower-emission concrete block production.
Project
RGBS
Development of a new retrofittable glass break sensor based on ultrasound technology with greater precision and robustness
Project
Multi-Interact
For health research, a highly parallelised multiplex system is being developed to precisely and kinetically determine binding energies between biomolecules.
Reference
Frank Seiferth, seioTec GmbH
”In our solution-oriented collaboration with IMMS, we were able to benefit in particular from the expertise of IMMS employees in sensor and embedded systems technology.“
Reference
Dr. Alexander Maier, Fraunhofer IOSB-INA
“We very much appreciate not only the sound, practical engineering knowledge of the IMMS staff concerning Industry 4.0-compatible protocols and systems but also the personal contact and the constructive manner of IMMS’ collaboration. And so we shall be delighted if we can tackle upcoming subjects together.”
Reference
Friedrich Becker, TURCK Electronics GmbH
“With its experience in the spheres of signal processing and integrating communications and systems for industry, IMMS contributed significantly to the execution of the science which the partners in Chemnitz and Offenburg derived from theoretical principles in cable diagnostics and communications interfaces.”
Reference
Dirk-Hendrik John, Software-Service John GmbH
“From our point of view, the design IMMS came up with for the architecture was in itself convincing. Further, we were impressed by its support in integrating our application with the MQTT standard. Both during the ongoing joint field test in Jena and during the entire project period, IMMS staff were always readily available with prompt support if questions or problems arose.”
Challenges of Building AI-Based Virtual Temperature Sensors for Nanopositioning Systems (NPS)
Amin Suaad1. Silvia Krug1, 2. Tino Hutschenreuther1.IEEE AI4IM 2026, IEEE Symposium on Artificial Intelligence for Instrumentation and Measurement, Mai 21-23, 2026, Amalfi, Italy
1IMMS Institut für Mikroelektronik- und Mechatronik-Systeme gemeinnützige GmbH (IMMS GmbH), Ehrenbergstraße 27, 98693 Ilmenau, Germany. 2Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering, Mid Sweden University, Holmgatan 10, 851 70 Sundsvall, Sweden.Out-of-Band Over-The-Air-Update for LoRaWAN-based Sensor Networks using BLE
Florian Jung1. Silvia Krug1,2. Tino Hutschenreuther1.2025 IEEE International Workshop on Metrology for Agriculture and Forestry (MetroAgriFor), October 28-30, 2025, Bologna, Italy, pp. 330-335, DOI: doi.org/10.1109/MetroAgriFor66923.2025.11512381
1IMMS Institut für Mikroelektronik- und Mechatronik-Systeme gemeinnützige GmbH (IMMS GmbH), Ehrenbergstraße 27, 98693 Ilmenau, Germany. 2Mid Sweden University, Sundsvall, Sweden.Suitability of Radio Communication Technologies for Smart Orchards Considering Seasonal Effects
Silvia Krug1,2. Falk Eisenreich1. Tino Hutschenreuther1.2025 IEEE International Workshop on Metrology for Agriculture and Forestry (MetroAgriFor), October 28-30, 2025, Bologna, Italy, pp. 461-465, DOI: doi.org/10.1109/MetroAgriFor66923.2025.11512478
1IMMS Institut für Mikroelektronik- und Mechatronik-Systeme gemeinnützige GmbH (IMMS GmbH), Ehrenbergstraße 27, 98693 Ilmenau, Germany. 2Mid Sweden University, Sundsvall, Sweden.Einsatz sebstlernender Verfahren in der industriellen Instandhaltung
Tino Hutschenreuther1.Industrieforum „Smarte Fertigung“: Automatisierung und Robotik praxisnah erleben, 22. April 2026, Meiningen, Germany
1IMMS Institut für Mikroelektronik- und Mechatronik-Systeme gemeinnützige GmbH (IMMS GmbH), Ehrenbergstraße 27, 98693 Ilmenau, Germany.
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