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Many secure software development methods and tools are well-known and understood. Still, the same software security vulnerabilities keep occurring. To find out if new source code patterns evolved or the same patterns are reoccurring, we investigate SQL injections in PHP open source projects. SQL injections are well-known and a core part of software security education. For each common part of SQL injections, the source code patterns are analysed. Examples are pointed out showing that developers had software security in mind, but nevertheless created vulnerabilities. A comparison to earlier work shows that some categories are not found as often as expected. Our main contribution is the categorization of source code patterns.
To get a better understanding of Cross Site Scripting vulnerabilities, we investigated 50 randomly selected CVE reports which are related to open source projects. The vulnerable and patched source code was manually reviewed to find out what kind of source code patterns were used. Source code pattern categories were found for sources, concatenations, sinks, html context and fixes. Our resulting categories are compared to categories from CWE. A source code sample which might have led developers to believe that the data was already sanitized is described in detail. For the different html context categories, the necessary Cross Site Scripting prevention mechanisms are described.
We investigated 50 randomly selected buffer overflow vulnerabilities in Firefox. The source code of these vulnerabilities and the corresponding patches were manually reviewed and patterns were identified. Our main contribution are taxonomies of errors, sinks and fixes seen from a developer's point of view. The results are compared to the CWE taxonomy with an emphasis on vulnerability details. Additionally, some ideas are presented on how the taxonomy could be used to improve the software security education.
Soft-input decoding of concatenated codes based on the Plotkin construction and BCH component codes
(2020)
Low latency communication requires soft-input decoding of binary block codes with small to medium block lengths.
In this work, we consider generalized multiple concatenated (GMC) codes based on the Plotkin construction. These codes are similar to Reed-Muller (RM) codes. In contrast to RM codes, BCH codes are employed as component codes. This leads to improved code parameters. Moreover, a decoding algorithm is proposed that exploits the recursive structure of the concatenation. This algorithm enables efficient soft-input decoding of binary block codes with small to medium lengths. The proposed codes and their decoding achieve significant performance gains compared with RM codes and recursive GMC decoding.
This work investigates soft input decoding for generalized concatenated (GC) codes. The GC codes are constructed from inner nested binary Bose-Chaudhuri-Hocquenghem (BCH)codes and outer Reed-Solomon (RS) codes. In order to enable soft input decoding for the inner BCH block codes, a sequential stack decoding algorithm is used. Ordinary stack decoding of binary block codes requires the complete trellis of the code.
In this work a representation of the block codes based on the trellises of supercodes is proposed in order to reduce the memory requirements for the representation of the BCH codes. Results for the decoding performance of the overall GC code are presented.
Furthermore, an efficient hardware implementation of the GC decoder is proposed.
Smart-Future-Living-Bodensee
(2018)
Smart factory and education
(2016)
The introduction of cyber physical systems into production companies is highly changing working conditions and processes as well as business models. In practice a growing discrepancy between big and small respectively medium-sized companies can be observed. Bridging that gap a university smart factory is introduced to give that companies a platform to trial, educate employees and access consultancy. Realizing the smart factory a highly integrated, open and standardized automation concept is shown comprising single devices, production lines up to a higher automation system maintaining a community or business models.
To evaluate the quality of a person's sleep it is essential to identify the sleep stages and their durations. Currently, the gold standard in terms of sleep analysis is overnight polysomnography (PSG), during which several techniques like EEG (eletroencephalogram), EOG (electrooculogram), EMG (electromyogram), ECG (electrocardiogram), SpO2 (blood oxygen saturation) and for example respiratory airflow and respiratory effort are recorded. These expensive and complex procedures, applied in sleep laboratories, are invasive and unfamiliar for the subjects and it is a reason why it might have an impact on the recorded data. These are the main reasons why low-cost home diagnostic systems are likely to be advantageous. Their aim is to reach a larger population by reducing the number of parameters recorded. Nowadays, many wearable devices promise to measure sleep quality using only the ECG and body-movement signals. This work presents an android application developed in order to proof the accuracy of an algorithm published in the sleep literature. The algorithm uses ECG and body movement recordings to estimate sleep stages. The pre-recorded signals fed into the algorithm have been taken from physionet1 online database. The obtained results have been compared with those of the standard method used in PSG. The mean agreement ratios between the sleep stages REM, Wake, NREM-1, NREM-2 and NREM-3 were 38.1%, 14%, 16%, 75% and 54.3%.
The respiratory rate is a vital sign indicating breathing illness. It is necessary to analyze the mechanical oscillations of the patient's body arising from chest movements. An inappropriate holder on which the sensor is mounted, or an inappropriate sensor position is some of the external factors which should be minimized during signal registration. This paper considers using a non-invasive device placed under the bed mattress and evaluates the respiratory rate. The aim of the work is the development of an accelerometer sensor holder for this system. The normal and deep breathing signals were analyzed, corresponding to the relaxed state and when taking deep breaths. The evaluation criterion for the holder's model is its influence on the patient's respiratory signal amplitude for each state. As a result, we offer a non-invasive system of respiratory rate detection, including the mechanical component providing the most accurate values of mentioned respiratory rate.
This paper presents a bed system able to analyze a person’s movement, breathing and recognize the positions that the subject is lying on the bed during the night without any additional physical contact. The measurements are performed with sensors placed between the mattress and the bed-frame. An Intel Edison board was used as an endpoint that served as a communication node from the mesh network to external service. Two nodes and Intel Edison are attached to the bottom of the bed frame and they are connected to the sensors. First test results have indicated the potential of the proposed approach for the recognition of sleep positions with 83% of correct recognized positions.
Deep neural networks (DNNs) are known for their high prediction performance, especially in perceptual tasks such as object recognition or autonomous driving. Still, DNNs are prone to yield unreliable predictions when encountering completely new situations without indicating their uncertainty. Bayesian variants of DNNs (BDNNs), such as MC dropout BDNNs, do provide uncertainty measures. However, BDNNs are slow during test time because they rely on a sampling approach. Here we present a single shot MC dropout approximation that preserves the advantages of BDNNs without being slower than a DNN. Our approach is to analytically approximate for each layer in a fully connected network the expected value and the variance of the MC dropout signal. We evaluate our approach on different benchmark datasets and a simulated toy example. We demonstrate that our single shot MC dropout approximation resembles the point estimate and the uncertainty estimate of the predictive distribution that is achieved with an MC approach, while being fast enough for real-time deployments of BDNNs.
SInCom 2015
(2015)
Simulationsmethoden bei der Entwicklung von Extremleichtbaukomponenten in Faserverbundbauweise
(2018)
Foil-air bearings (FABs) are predominantly used for high-speed, oil-free applications. Offering many advantages such as friction loss at high speeds, stability and price, they lack, however, load capacity as well as start-up and coast-down friction wear resistance.
The friction losses of FABs have been studied experimentally by many authors. In order to predict the friction and, consequently, the lifespan of a FAB, the start-up and coast-down regimes are modelled in such a way that allows for accurate, efficient simulation and later optimisation of lift-off speed and wear characteristics. The proposed simulation method applies the Kirchhoff-Love plate theory to the top foil mapping [20]. This system of differential equations is coupled with the underlying compliant foil to simulate the displacement due to the pressure buildup. Consequently, this coupled system allows for simulation from almost zero rounds per minute (rpm) to full speed. The underlying simulation model uses the finite difference method for spatial discretisation and a temporal explicit Runge-Kutta method.
Difficulties to overcome are the smooth combination of various friction regimes across the sliding surfaces as well as the synchronous coupling of Reynolds, deformation and kinematic equations with highly non-linear terms. Introducing an exponential pressure component based on Greenwood and Tripp’s theory avoids impingement between the rotor and foil.
We consider classes of (Formula presented.)-by-(Formula presented.) sign regular matrices, i.e. of matrices with the property that all their minors of fixed order (Formula presented.) have one specified sign or are allowed also to vanish, (Formula presented.). If the sign is nonpositive for all (Formula presented.), such a matrix is called totally nonpositive. The application of the Cauchon algorithm to nonsingular totally nonpositive matrices is investigated and a new determinantal test for these matrices is derived. Also matrix intervals with respect to the checkerboard ordering are considered. This order is obtained from the usual entry-wise ordering on the set of the (Formula presented.)-by-(Formula presented.) matrices by reversing the inequality sign for each entry in a checkerboard fashion. For some classes of sign regular matrices, it is shown that if the two bound matrices of such a matrix interval are both in the same class then all matrices lying between these two bound matrices are in the same class, too.
Side Channel Attack Resistance of the Elliptic Curve Point Multiplication using Gaussian Integers
(2020)
Elliptic curve cryptography is a cornerstone of embedded security. However, hardware implementations of the elliptic curve point multiplication are prone to side channel attacks. In this work, we present a new key expansion algorithm which improves the resistance against timing and simple power analysis attacks. Furthermore, we consider a new concept for calculating the point multiplication, where the points of the curve are represented as Gaussian integers. Gaussian integers are subset of the complex numbers, such that the real and imaginary parts are integers. Since Gaussian integer fields are isomorphic to prime fields, this concept is suitable for many elliptic curves. Representing the key by a Gaussian integer expansion is beneficial to reduce the computational complexity and the memory requirements of a secure hardware implementation.
Side Channel Attack Resistance of the Elliptic Curve Point Multiplication using Eisenstein Integers
(2020)
Asymmetric cryptography empowers secure key exchange and digital signatures for message authentication. Nevertheless, consumer electronics and embedded systems often rely on symmetric cryptosystems because asymmetric cryptosystems are computationally intensive. Besides, implementations of cryptosystems are prone to side-channel attacks (SCA). Consequently, the secure and efficient implementation of asymmetric cryptography on resource-constrained systems is demanding. In this work, elliptic curve cryptography is considered. A new concept for an SCA resistant calculation of the elliptic curve point multiplication over Eisenstein integers is presented and an efficient arithmetic over Eisenstein integers is proposed. Representing the key by Eisenstein integer expansions is beneficial to reduce the computational complexity and the memory requirements of an SCA protected implementation.
In the past years, algorithms for 3D shape tracking using radial functions in spherical coordinates represented with different methods have been proposed. However, we have seen that mainly measurements from the lateral surface of the target can be expected in a lot of dynamic scenarios and only few measurements from the top and bottom parts leading to an error-prone shape estimate in the top and bottom regions when using a representation in spherical coordinates. We, therefore, propose to represent the shape of the target using a radial function in cylindrical coordinates, as these only represent regions of the lateral surface, and no information from the top or bottom parts is needed. In this paper, we use a Fourier-Chebyshev double series for 3D shape representation since a mixture of Fourier and Chebyshev series is a suitable basis for expanding a radial function in cylindrical coordinates. We investigate the method in a simulated and real-world maritime scenario with a CAD model of the target boat as a reference. We have found that shape representation in cylindrical coordinates has decisive advantages compared to a shape representation in spherical coordinates and should preferably be used if no prior knowledge of the measurement distribution on the surface of the target is available.
These days, medical applications of shape memory alloys (SMAs) can be found in cardiovascular devices, gastroenterology and urology as well as in the area of orthopedic implants, orthodontic devices and clinical instrumentation. Their functional properties combined with excellent biocompatibility increase the possibility and the performance of minimally invasive surgeries. Overviews of existing applications can be found in [1-2]. Within the medical field, most of the applications with shape memory (SM) material take advantage of the superelasticity of NiTi SMAs. In contradiction to the superelastic or mechanical SM effect, the application described in this study uses the thermal SM effect for a new medical implant. Before explaining the SM driven intramedullary bone nail in detail, a short introduction to the bone elongation technique is given.
The background of this application on based in the medical fact that normally any tissue reacts to an injury with repair and healing processes through multiplication of cells. If after a transverse osteotomy a strain stimulus is activated, for example by tensile stress, this multiplication of cells and new formation of tissue may be continued for any length of time. Due to this mechanism, even considerable loss of bone caused by fractures or congenital defective positions, may be compensated without bone grafts. The technique of callus distraction by means of external fixation or intramedullary nail stimulates the formation of callus in the bone gap. Callus is the repair tissue of the bone generated in the fracture gap in case of bone fracture or osteotomy. The gap to be bridged should not be wider than 1 mm per day [3]. The process starts with the exudation of callus around the ends of the broken bone. At first, callus is more like a fibrous tissue. Later it hardens due to deposition of calcium and eventually it is converted into true bone. Three weeks after severance, the vascular system is formed. An overview of current bone lengthening techniques, also called callus distraction, can be found in [3]. External systems are normally used for the extension of bones, the bone fragments being fixed on rings by wires. The decisive disadvantages of those external systems are primarily the considerable risk of infection due to protruding wires, noticeable discomfort for the patient because of the external rings, a coarse cosmetic result because of scarring, as well as rather long hospitalization.
Therefore, internal bone extension systems are of great interest to orthopedic surgery.
In this paper, a novel measurement model based on spherical double Fourier series (DFS) for estimating the 3D shape of a target concurrently with its kinematic state is introduced. Here, the shape is represented as a star-convex radial function, decomposed as spherical DFS. In comparison to ordinary DFS, spherical DFS do not suffer from ambiguities at the poles. Details will be given in the paper. The shape representation is integrated into a Bayesian state estimator framework via a measurement equation. As range sensors only generate measurements from the target side facing the sensor, the shape representation is modified to enable application of shape symmetries during the estimation process. The model is analyzed in simulations and compared to a shape estimation procedure using spherical harmonics. Finally, shape estimation using spherical and ordinary DFS is compared to analyze the effect of the pole problem in extended object tracking (EOT) scenarios.
Shadow IT risk
(2015)
This paper presents the goals, service design approach, and the results of the project “Accessible Tourism around Lake Constance”, which is currently run by different universities, industrial partners and selected hotels in Switzerland, Germany and Austria. In the 1st phase, interviews with different persons with disabilities and elderly persons have been conducted to identify the barriers and pains faced by tourists who want to spend their holidays in the region of Lake Constance as well as possible assistive technologies that help to overcome these barriers. The analysis of the interviews shows that one third of the pains and barriers are due to missing, insufficient, wrong or inaccessible information about the
accessibility of the accommodation, surroundings, and points of interests during the planning phase of the holidays. Digital assistive technologies hence play a
major role in bridging this information gap. In the 2nd phase so-called Hotel-Living-Labs (HLL) have been established where the identified assistive technologies
can be evaluated. Based on these HLLs an overall service for accessible holidays has been designed and developed. In the last phase, this service has been implemented
based on the HLLs as well as the identified assistive technologies and is currently field tested with tourists with disabilities from the three participated countries.
Dynamic Real-Time Range Queries (DRRQ) are a common means to handle mobile clients in high-density areas where both, clients requested by the query and the inquirers, are mobile. In contrast to the very well-known continuous range queries, only a few approaches, such as Adaptive Quad Streaming (AQS), address the mandatory scalability and real-time requirements of these so-called ad-hoc mobility challenges. In this paper we present the highly decentralized solution Adaptive Quad Streaming Flexible (AQSflex) as an extension of the already existing more theoretical AQS approach. Beside a highly distributed cell structure without data structures and a lightweight streaming communication, we use a multi-cell-assignment on limited pool resources instead of an idealistic unlimited cell-per-server assignment. The described experimental results show the potential of our local capacity balancing scheme for cell handover in a strongly decentralized setting. Leafs of a cell hierarchy define a kind of self-optimizing fuzzy edge for the processing resources in high-density systems without any centralized controlling or cloud component.
The process of restoring our body and brain from fatigue is directly depend-ing on the quality of sleep. It can be determined from the report of the sleep study results. Classification of sleep stages is the first step of this study and this includes the measurement of biovital data and its further processing.
In this work, the sleep analysis system is based on a hardware sensor net, namely a grid of 24 pressure sensors, supporting sleep phase recognition. In comparison to the leading standard, which is polysomnography, the proposed approach is a non-invasive system. It recognises respiration and body move-ment with only one type of low-cost pressure sensors forming a mesh archi-tecture. The nodes implement as a series of pressure sensors connected to a low-power and performant microcontroller. All nodes are connected via a system wide bus with address arbitration. The embedded processor is the mesh network endpoint that enables network configuration, storing and pre-processing of the data, external data access and visualization.
The system was tested by executing experiments recording the sleep of different healthy young subjects. The results obtained have indicated the po-tential to detect breathing rate and body movement. A major difference of this system in comparison to other approaches is the innovative way to place the sensors under the mattress. This characteristic facilitates the continuous using of the system without any influence on the common sleep process.
Driver assistance systems are increasingly becoming part of the standard equipment of vehicles and thus contribute to road safety. However, as they become more widespread, the requirements for cost efficiency are also increasing, and so few and inexpensive sensors are used in these systems. Especially in challenging situations, this leads to the fact that target discrimination cannot be ensured which in turn leads to a false reaction of the driver assistance system. Typically, the interaction between moving traffic participants is not modeled directly in the environmental model so that tracked objects can split, merge or disappear. The Boids flocking algorithm is used to model the interaction between road users on already tracked objects by applying the movement rules (separation, cohesion, alignment) on the boids. This facilitates the creation of semantic neighborhood information between road users. We show in a comprehensive simulation that with only 7 boids per traffic participant, the estimated median separation between objects can improve from 2.4 m to 3 m for a ground truth of 3.7 m. The bottom percentile improves from 1.85 m to 2.8 m.
Die Entstehung von Radsatz-Torsionsschwingungen kann aufgrund der zunehmenden Ausnut- zung des Kraftschlusses im Rad-Schiene-Kontakt nicht vollends verhindert werden. Während analytische Untersuchungen zeigen, dass bei der Überschreitung eines bestimmten Dämp- fungswerts die Entstehung von Radsatz-Torsionsschwingungen vollständig vermieden wird, zeigen Simulationen, dass die Schwingungsamplitude des dynamischen Torsionsmoments in- folge des betragsmäβig sinkenden Kraftschlussgradienten und einer gewissen Antriebsstrang- dämpfung bei höheren Gleitgeschwindigkeiten begrenzt ist. Im Gegensatz zur analytischen Formel (17) ist damit ein maximales, dynamisches Torsionsmoment berechenbar.
Durch eine ganzheitliche Betrachtung des Gesamtsystems, bestehend aus dem Kraftschluss zwischen Rad und Schiene, dem Radsatz inkl. Lagerung, sowie Antriebsstrang können ver- schiedene Einflussfaktoren untersucht werden, die eine Radsatz-Torsionsschwingung beein- flussen. Die damit verbundenen Berechnungsmodelle sind aufgrund der Anzahl von Massen und Freiheitsgraden nicht mehr analytisch lösbar. Durch den Einsatz von Mehrkörperdynamik-Software können die Einflussfaktoren identifiziert und deren Einfluss auf die Torsionsneigung des Systems und das dynamische Torsionsmoment quantifiziert werden.
Seamless-Learning-Plattform
(2020)
SDG Voyager - A practical guide to align business excellence with Sustainable Development Goals
(2018)
By now, an inflationary high number of international publications on the topic “Agenda 2030” exist. But unanswered to this day seems to be the question of how the CSR-management of a company can make a concrete contribution to the SDGs. Instead of unilaterally demanding the reporting of companies’ sustainability activities, the SDG Voyager starts earlier in the process with the intention of encouraging companies of all sizes to become familiar with the fields of action for corporate responsibility and to attend to these issues without feeling overwhelmed. Many companies will find that they are already making a big contribution to sustainable development in a number of fields. In other areas, however, there will still be an urgent need for action. The SDG Voyager aims to acquaint companies with these topics and support them to fulfill their responsibilities towards their stakeholders and society.
Scoring LSP tasks
(2016)
Die dynamische Belastung durch Sprünge von Menschen ist eine der maßgebenden personeninduzierten Einwirkungen bei dem Nachweis der Gebrauchstauglichkeit von Decken mit schwingungsgefährdenden Geräten. Sie kommt beispielsweise in Ganglaboren und anderen Forschungseinrichtungen bei biomechanischen Untersuchungen in der Sprungkraftdiagnostik vor. Die in diesem Zusammenhang typischen Sprungarten, nämlich der Countermovement Jump (beidbeiniger vertikaler Sprung mit Ausholbewegung) und der Drop Jump (Niederhochsprung), wurden anhand von über 200 Kraftverlaufsmessungen analysiert und daraus die dazugehörigen idealisierten Belastungsmodelle ermittelt. Damit wurde ein vereinfachtes Nachweisverfahren zur Abschätzung der Schwingungsantwort einer Decke entwickelt. Als Ergebnis kann die Beschleunigung der Decke in Abhängigkeit von der modalen Masse und den Werten der Eigenformen am Lastangriffspunkt und am Ausgabepunkt angegeben werden.
Der Begriff Schatten-IT beschreibt Systeme, die außerhalb des Verantwortungsbereiches der IT durch die Fachabteilung eigenständig entwickelt und betrieben werden. Obwohl dieses Phänomen weit verbreitet ist, blieb diese Schatten-IT in Wissenschaft und in Praxis lange unbeachtet. Seit einiger Zeit ist eine verstärkte Auseinandersetzung mit dem Phänomen erkennbar. Jedoch gibt es bisher nur wenige empirisch gestützte Erkenntnisse über die Schatten-IT. Diese Lücke wird in dem vorliegenden Beitrag angegangen. Auf Basis von vier Fallstudien werden die Verbreitung, Verwendung und die Qualität der Schatten-IT ermittelt. Dabei zeigt sich, dass die Schatten-IT mit durchaus erheblichen Risiken verbunden sein kann. Demgegenüber bleibt die Qualität jedoch merklich zurück. Erkennbar ist dabei auch, dass die Schatten-IT nicht im Blickfeld der Kontrollsysteme der Unternehmen erscheint. Durch Maßnahmen wie die Steigerung der Awareness der Schatten-IT im Unternehmen sowie eine Entwicklung der Schatten-IT hin zu einer gesteuerten Fachbereichs-IT lassen sich die Risiken wirksam reduzieren. Zudem sind die Kontrollsysteme der Unternehmen so anzupassen, dass auch die Schatten-IT in diesen sichtbar wird.
Methods based exclusively on heart rate hardly allow to differentiate between physical activity, stress, relaxation, and rest, that is why an additional sensor like activity/movement sensor added for detection and classification. The response of the heart to physical activity, stress, relaxation, and no activity can be very similar. In this study, we can observe the influence of induced stress and analyze which metrics could be considered for its detection. The changes in the Root Mean Square of the Successive Differences provide us with information about physiological changes. A set of measurements collecting the RR intervals was taken. The intervals are used as a parameter to distinguish four different stages. Parameters like skin conductivity or skin temperature were not used because the main aim is to maintain a minimum number of sensors and devices and thereby to increase the wearability in the future.
Requirements Engineering in Business Analytics for Innovation and Product Lifecycle Management
(2014)
Considering Requirements Engineering (RE) in business analytics, involving market oriented management, computer science and statistics, may be valuable for managing innovation in Product Lifecycle Management (PLM). RE and business analytics can help maximize the value of corporate product information throughout the value chain starting with innovation management. Innovation and PLM must address 1) big data, 2) development of well-defined business goals and principles, 3) cost/benefit analysis, 4) continuous change management, and 5) statistical and report science. This paper is a positioning note that addresses some business case considerations for analytics project involving PLM data, patents, and innovations. We describe a number of research challenges in RE that addresses business analytics when high PLM data should be turned into a successful market oriented innovation management strategy. We provide a draft on how to address these research challenges.
We consider the problem of increasing the informative value of electrocardiographic (ECG) surveys using data from multichannel electrocardiographic leads, that include both recorded electrocardiosignals and the coordinates of the electrodes placed on the surface of the human torso. In this area, we were interested in reconstruction of the surface distribution of the equivalent sources during the cardiac cycle at relatively low hardware cost. In our work, we propose to reconstruct the equivalent electrical sources by numerical methods, based on integral connection between the density of electrical sources and potential in a conductive medium. We consider maps of distributions of equivalent electric sources on the heart surface (HSSM), presenting source distributions in the form of a simple or double electrical layer. We indicate the dynamics of the heart electrical activity by the space-time mapping of equivalent electrical sources in HSSM.
The recovery of our body and brain from fatigue directly depends on the quality of sleep, which can be determined from the results of a sleep study. The classification of sleep stages is the first step of this study and includes the measurement of vital data and their further processing. The non-invasive sleep analysis system is based on a hardware sensor network of 24 pressure sensors providing sleep phase detection. The pressure sensors are connected to an energy-efficient microcontroller via a system-wide bus. A significant difference between this system and other approaches is the innovative way in which the sensors are placed under the mattress. This feature facilitates the continuous use of the system without any noticeable influence on the sleeping person. The system was tested by conducting experiments that recorded the sleep of various healthy young people. Results indicate the potential to capture respiratory rate and body movement.
This document presents an algorithm for a non-obtrusive recognition of Sleep/Wake states using signals derived from ECG, respiration, and body movement captured while lying in a bed. As a core mathematical base of system data analytics, multinomial logistic regression techniques were chosen. Derived parameters of the three signals are used as the input for the proposed method. The overall achieved accuracy rate is 84% for Wake/Sleep stages, with Cohen’s kappa value 0.46. The presented algorithm should support experts in analyzing sleep quality in more detail. The results confirm the potential of this method and disclose several ways for its improvement.
Continuous range queries are a common means to handle mobile clients in high-density areas. Most existing approaches focus on settings in which the range queries for location-based services are mostly static whereas the mobile clients in the ranges move. We focus on a category called Dynamic Real-Time Range Queries (DRRQ) assuming that both, clients requested by the query and the inquirers, are mobile. In consequence, the query parameters results continuously change. This leads to two requirements: the ability to deal with an arbitrary high number of mobile nodes (scalability) and the real-time delivery of range query results. In this paper we present the highly decentralized solution Adaptive Quad Streaming (AQS) for the requirements of DRRQs. AQS approximates the query results in favor of a controlled real-time delivery and guaranteed scalability. While prior works commonly optimizes data structures on servers, we use AQS to focus on a highly distributed cell structure without data structures automatically adapting to changing client distributions. Instead of the commonly used request-response approach, we apply a lightweight streaming method in which no bidirectional communication and no storage or maintenance of queries are required at all.
The introduction of multi level cell (MLC) and triple level cell (TLC) technologies reduced the reliability of flash memories significantly compared with single level cell (SLC) flash. The reliability of the flash memory suffers from various errors causes. Program/erase cycles, read disturb, and cell to cell interference impact the threshold voltages. With pre-defined fixed read thresholds a voltage shift increases the bit error rate (BER). This work proposes a read threshold calibration method that aims on minimizing the BER by adapting the read voltages. The adaptation of the read thresholds is based on the number of errors observed in the codeword protecting a small amount of meta-data. Simulations based on flash measurements demonstrate that this method can significantly reduce the BER of TLC memories.
RC-Beton im Hochbau
(2017)
Digital cameras are used in a large variety of scientific and industrial applications. For most applications the acquired data should represent the real light intensity per pixel as accurately as possible. However, digital cameras are subject to different sources of noise which distort the resulting image. Noise includes photon noise, fixed pattern noise and read noise. The aim of the radiometric calibration is to improve the quality of the resulting images by reducing the influence of the different types of noise on the measured data. In this paper, a new approach for the radiometric calibration of digital cameras using sparse Gaussian process regression is presented. Gaussian process regression is a kernel based supervised machine learning technique. It is used to learn the response of a camera system from a set of training images to allow for the calibration of new images. Compared to the standard Gaussian process method or flat field correction our sparse approach allows for faster calibration and higher reconstruction quality.
Digital cameras are subject to physical, electronic and optic effects that result in errors and noise in the image. These effects include for example a temperature dependent dark current, read noise, optical vignetting or different sensitivities of individual pixels. The task of a radiometric calibration is to reduce these errors in the image and thus improve the quality of the overall application. In this work we present an algorithm for radiometric calibration based on Gaussian processes. Gaussian processes are a regression method widely used in machine learning that is particularly useful in our context. Then Gaussian process regression is used to learn a temperature and exposure time dependent mapping from observed gray-scale values to true light intensities for each pixel. Regression models based on the characteristics of single pixels suffer from excessively high runtime and thus are unsuitable for many practical applications. In contrast, a single regression model for an entire image with high spatial resolution leads to a low quality radiometric calibration, which also limits its practical use. The proposed algorithm is predicated on a partitioning of the pixels such that each pixel partition can be represented by one single regression model without quality loss. Partitioning is done by extracting features from the characteristic of each pixel and using them for lexicographic sorting. Splitting the sorted data into partitions with equal size yields the final partitions, each of which is represented by the partition centers. An individual Gaussian process regression and model selection is done for each partition. Calibration is performed by interpolating the gray-scale value of each pixel with the regression model of the respective partition. The experimental comparison of the proposed approach to classical flat field calibration shows a consistently higher reconstruction quality for the same overall number of calibration frames.
With the advancement in sensor technology and the trend shift of health measurement from treatment after diagnosis to abnormalities detection long before the occurrence, the approach of turning private spaces into diagnostic spaces has gained much attention. In this work, we designed and implemented a low-cost and compact form factor module that can be deployed on the steering wheel of cars as well as most frequently touch objects at home in order to measure physiological signals from the fingertip of the subject as well as environmental parameters. We estimated the heart rate and SpO2 with the error of 2.83 bpm and 3.52%, respectively. The signal evaluation of skin temperature shows a promising output with respect to environmental recalibration. In addition, the electrodermal activity sensor followed the reference signal, appropriately which indicates the potential for further development and application in stress measurement.
In tourism, energy demands are particularly high.Tourism facilities such as hotels require large amounts ofelectric and heating resp. cooling energy. Their supply howeveris usually still based on fossil energies. This research approachanalyses the potential of promoting renewable energies in BlackForest tourism. It focuses on a combined and hence highlyefficient production of both electric and thermal energy bybiogas plants on the one hand and its provision to local tourismfacilities via short distance networks on the other. Basing onsurveys and qualitative empiricism and considering regionalresource availability as well as socio-economic aspects, it thusexamines strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats thatcan arise from such a cooperation.
In tourism, energy demands are particularly high. Tourism facilities such as hotels require large amounts of electric and heating / cooling energy while their supply is usually still based on fossil energies.
This research approach analyses the potential of promoting renewable energies in tourism. It focuses on a combined and hence highly efficient production of both electric and thermal energy by biogas plants on the one hand and its provision to local tourism facilities via short distance networks on the other. Considering regional resource availability as well as socio-economic aspects, it thus examines strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats that can arise from such a micro-cooperation. The research aim is to provide an actor-based, spatially transferable feasibility analysis.
Since its first edition in 2008, the Workshop on Metallization and Interconnection for Crystalline Silicon SolarCells has been a key event where knowledge in the critical fields of crystalline silicon solar cell metallization andinterconnection is shared between experts from academia and industry. It has become a highly recognized event forthe quality of the contributions, the lively Q&A sessions, and the exceptional networking opportunity.The situation with the Covid-19 pandemic made organizing the 9th edition as an in-person event impossible andforced us to reconsider the event format. The event took place virtually on October 5th and 6th 2020. We used aninnovative online platform that enabled not only presentations followed by Q&A but also more informal interactions,where participants could see and talk directly to other participants. 120 experts from 22 countries took part andattended 21 contributions presented live. In spite of a few technical glitches, the workshop was successful and thegoals of exchanging on the state-of-the-art in research/industry and connecting experts in the field were achieved.All presentations are available on www.miworkshop.info as .pdf documents. These proceedings contain asummary of the 9th edition (MIW2020) and peer-reviewed papers based on the workshop contributions. The organizerswish to thank the members of the Scientific Committee for the time spent reviewing the MIW2020 abstracts andproceedings. The organizers also wish to thank again the sponsors and supporters for their financial contributionswhich made the 9th Workshop on Metallization and Interconnection for Crystalline Silicon Solar Cells possible.
Some 165 global experts and specialists from industry and academic institutes met at the 8th Metallization & Interconnection Workshop (MIW2019) that took place from 13 to 14 May 2019 in Konstanz, Germany. Participants from 19 countries debated results of 28 oral and 11 poster presentations.
All presentations are available on www.metallizationworkshop.info as pdf documents. As in previous editions, lots of room was available for discussions and networking during the two-days program which included panel and market-place discussions as well as social events (reception, workshop dinner).
These proceedings contain: a summary of the oral and poster presentations, the results of the survey conducted during the workshop, and peer-reviewed papers based on workshop contributions.
Probabilistic Short-Term Low-Voltage Load Forecasting using Bernstein-Polynomial Normalizing Flows
(2021)
The transition to a fully renewable energy grid requires better forecasting of demand at the low-voltage level. However, high fluctuations and increasing electrification cause huge forecast errors with traditional point estimates. Probabilistic load forecasts take future uncertainties into account and thus enables various applications in low-carbon energy systems. We propose an approach for flexible conditional density forecasting of short-term load based on Bernstein-Polynomial Normalizing Flows where a neural network controls the parameters of the flow. In an empirical study with 363 smart meter customers, our density predictions compare favorably against Gaussian and Gaussian mixture densities and also outperform a non-parametric approach based on the pinball loss for 24h-ahead load forecasting for two different neural network architectures.
In this paper, we propose a novel method for real-time control of electric distribution grids with a limited number of measurements. The method copes with the changing grid behaviour caused by the increasing number of renewable energies and electric vehicles. Three AI based models are used. Firstly, a probabilistic forecasting estimates possible scenarios at unobserved grid nodes. Secondly, a state estimation is used to detect grid congestion. Finally, a grid control suggests multiple possible solutions for the detected problem. The best countermeasures are then detected by evaluating the systems stability for the next time-step.
Probabilistic data association for tracking extended targets under clutter using random matrices
(2015)
The use of random matrices for tracking extended objects has received high attention in recent years. It is an efficient approach for tracking objects that give rise to more than one measurement per time step. In this paper, the concept of random matrices is used to track surface vessels using highresolution automotive radar sensors. Since the radar also receives a large number of clutter measurements from the water, for the data association problem, a generalized probabilistic data association filter is applied. Additionally, a modification of the filter update step is proposed to incorporate the Doppler velocity measurements. The presented tracking algorithm is validated using Monte Carlo Simulation, and some performance results with real radar data are shown as well.
The improvement of collision avoidance for vessels in close range encounter situations is an important topic for maritime traffic safety. Typical approaches generate evasive trajectories or optimise the trajectories of all involved vessels. Such a collision avoidance system has to produce evasive manoeuvres that do not confuse other navigators. To achieve this behaviour, a probabilistic obstacle handling based on information from a radar sensor with target tracking, that considers measurement and tracking uncertainties is proposed. A grid based path search algorithm, that takes the information from the probabilistic obstacle handling into account, is then used to generate evasive trajectories. The proposed algorithms have been tested and verified in a simulated environment for inland waters.
Several possibilities of tests under load on a chassis dynamometer are presented. Consumption measurements according standard driving cycles as the New European Drive Cycle (NEDC) and Worldwide harmonized light duty test procedure/cycle (WLTP/WLTC) make special attention to the observance of the regulations necessary. The rotational masses of inertia and the load depending on velocity have to match the required values. Load tests as well allow the determination of the maximum acceleration in the current gear and the slippage of the driven wheels.
Preliminary results of homomorphic deconvolution application to surface EMG signals during walking
(2021)
Homomorphic deconvolution is applied to sEMG signals recorded during walking. Gastrocnemius lateralis and tibialis anterior signals were acquired according to SENIAM recommendation. MUAP parameters like amplitude and scale were estimated, whilst the MUAP shape parameter was fixed. This features a useful time-frequency representation of sEMG signal. Estimation of scale MUAP parameter was verified extracting the mean frequency of filtered EMG signal, extracted from the scale parameter estimated with two different MUAP shape values.
Die Überwindung des Bruchs (Seam) beim Lernen im Studium zwischen dem Hochschulkontext und der beruflichen Praxis ist durch die zeitlich, räumlich und organisatorisch bedingte Trennung der relevanten Akteure (u. a. Lehrende, Lernende, Unternehmensvertreter) eine sehr große Herausforderung (Milrad et al., 2013). Eine seamless-learning-basierte Konzeption einer Lehrveranstaltung auf Basis agiler Werte und Methoden (u. a. inkrementelles Vorgehen, Fokus auf lernendenzentrierte Veranstaltungen, individualisiertes Lernenden-Feedback) kann bei der Überwindung dieses bedeutenden Bruchs helfen. In dem Poster wird das grundsätzliche Design eines derartigen agilen SL-Konzepts auf Basis eines iterativ, inkrementellen Vorgehens innerhalb eines Semesterzyklus von 15 Wochen in drei Lernsprints erörtert. Darüber hinaus wird über erste Lehrerfahrungen der Dozierenden sowohl aus der Hochschule als auch aus dem industriellen Umfeld und Lernerfahrungen der Studierenden aus den vergangenen zwei Jahren berichtet.
As one of the most important branches of the industry in Germany and
the European Union, the mechanical and plant engineering sector is confronted with fundamental changes due to ever shorter innovation cycles and increased competitive pressure. This makes it even more important to increase the level of service components in business models with a low service level, which are still frequently found in SMEs. This paper is dedicated to the changes that the individual components of a business model have experienced and will experience. Special attention is paid to economic sustainability, since service business models can also positively influence the long-term nature of a business. Seven interviews conducted with relevant companies serve as the empirical basis of this paper. The analysed effects of smart services and active customer integration are structured and summarized within the three pillars of every business model (value proposition, the value creation architecture and the revenue mechanic).
In the automotive industry a strong effort has been undertaken to reduce the weight of modern vehicles. In order to reduce the energy consumption and to improve the environmental sustainability, the importance of weight reduction activities is even growing faster. As lightweight designing is becoming more and more expensive and show less potential savings, new approaches are needed. One promising technology could be the use of shape memory elements. In the last years a lot of potential application possibilities were presented, demonstrating the benefit of these functional elements in automotive design solutions: they often reduce complexity, weight and design space of an actuation device and enable new functions. In addition they work silently and are therefore ideally suitable for comfort applications in the passenger cabin. Because of the current trend to electric vehicle the hitherto existing drawback of a high electrical energy consumption of shape memory actuators in some design proposals is not given any more.
Post harvest technology
(2015)
The method of signal injection is investigated for position estimation of proportional solenoid valves. A simple observer is proposed to estimate a position-dependent parameter, i.e. the eddy current resistance, from which the position is calculated analytically. Therefore, the relationship of position and impedance in the case of sinusoidal excitation is accurately described by consideration of classical electrodynamics. The observer approach is compared with a standard identification method, and evaluated by practical experiments on an off-the-shelf proportional solenoid valve.
A lot of procedures for estimating the spool position in linear electromagnetic actuators using voltage and current measurements only, can be found in the literature. Subject to the accuracy of the estimated spool position some achieve better, some worse results. However, in almost every approach hysteresis has a huge impact on the estimation accuracy that can be achieved. Regardless whether these effects are caused by magnetic or mechanical hysteresis, they will limit the accuracy of the position estimate, if not taken into account. In this paper, a model is introduced which covers the hysteresis effects as well as other nonlinear ities occurring in estimated position-dependent parameters. A classical Preisach model is deployed first, which is then adjusted by using novel elementary preceding Relay-Operators. The resulting model for the estimated position-dependent parameters including the adjusted Preisach model can be easily applied to position estimation tasks. It is shown that the considered model distinctly improves the accuracy for the spool position estimate, while it is kept as simple as possible for real-time implementation reasons.
Der Einsatz von Plagiatssoftware sollte auf die Zielgruppe abgestimmt sein. Da die Beurteilung des digitalen Prüfberichts Expertenwissen voraussetzt, erscheint ein unbegleiteter Zugriff nicht sinnvoll. Da meist nicht mit Betrugsabsicht, sondern aus Regelunkenntnis plagiiert wird, ist eine Beschränkung auf eine flächendeckende Detektion keine Lösung. Umfassendes Regelwissen, ein Verständnis für die grundlegende Bedeutung intertextueller Bezüge sowie selbstverantwortliches Handeln sind Vermittlungsziele der HTWG-Schreibberatung. Zu diesem Zweck macht das HTWG-Modell den Schreibkursbesuch zur Zulassungsvoraussetzung für die freiwillige Plagiatskontrolle und behält sich die Deutungshoheit über den Prüfbericht vor.
The detection of differences between images of a printed reference and a reprinted wood decor often requires an initial image registration step. Depending on the digitalization method, the reprint will be displaced and rotated with respect to the reference. The aim of registration is to match the images as precisely as possible. In our approach, images are first matched globally by extracting feature points from both images and finding corresponding point pairs using the RANSAC algorithm. From these correspondences, we compute a global projective transformation between both images. In order to get a pixel-wise registration, we train a learning machine on the point correspondences found by RANSAC. The learning algorithm (in our case Gaussian process regression) is used to nonlinearly interpolate between the feature points which results in a high precision image registration method on wood decors.
Pitting susceptibility of metastable austenitic stainless steels as a function of surface conditions
(2019)
The influence of surface roughness and local defects on pitting susceptibility of type 304 (UNS S30400) and type 301 (UNS S30100) in chloride solution were investigated. Because the mechanical properties can be regarded as decisive for the achieved surface quality, different properties of the base material were obtained by cold rolling the metastable austenites. This was done before the surfaces were finished. Therefor the surfaces were treated by different grinding parameters to generate different surface conditions and different defects. As a reference, different standardised surface finishes were used.
By using and comparing different methods for the characterization of surface roughness and surface texture, it is possible to find a relationship between the quantity and characteristics of local defects on the one hand and pitting susceptibility on the other hand. For the machining parameters used, a ranking of the influencing factors on the corrosion resistance achieved could be determined.
The automated application of software-based solutions for estimating the pitting susceptibility of machined surfaces and components will be discussed using concrete examples.
Pitting susceptibility of metastable austenitic stainless steels as a function of surface conditions
(2019)
Fachvortrag auf der 10th International European Stainless Steel Conference and 6th European Duplex Stainless Steel Conference (ESSC & DUPLEX 2019), 30.09. – 02.10.2019, Vienna, Austria
Assistive environments are entering our homes faster than ever. However, there are still various barriers to be broken. One of the crucial points is a personalization of offered services and integration of assistive technologies in common objects and therefore in a regular daily routine. Recognition of sleep patterns for the preliminary sleep study is one of the health services that could be performed in an undisturbing way. This article proposes the hardware system for the measurement of bio-vital signals necessary for initial sleep study in a non-obtrusive way. The first results confirm the potential of measurement of breathing and movement signals with the proposed system.
Monitoring heart rate and breathing is essential in understanding the physiological processes for sleep analysis. Polysomnography (PSG) system have traditionally been used for sleep monitoring, but alternative methods can help to make sleep monitoring more portable in someone's home. This study conducted a series of experiments to investigate the use of pressure sensors placed under the bed as an alternative to PSG for monitoring heart rate and breathing during sleep. The following sets of experiments involved the addition of small rubber domes - transparent and black - that were glued to the pressure sensor. The resulting data were compared with the PSG system to determine the accuracy of the pressure sensor readings. The study found that the pressure sensor provided reliable data for extracting heart rate and respiration rate, with mean absolute errors (MAE) of 2.32 and 3.24 for respiration and heart rate, respectively. However, the addition of small rubber hemispheres did not significantly improve the accuracy of the readings, with MAEs of 2.3 bpm and 7.56 breaths per minute for respiration rate and heart rate, respectively. The findings of this study suggest that pressure sensors placed under the bed may serve as a viable alternative to traditional PSG systems for monitoring heart rate and breathing during sleep. These sensors provide a more comfortable and non-invasive method of sleep monitoring. However, the addition of small rubber domes did not significantly enhance the accuracy of the readings, indicating that it may not be a worthwhile addition to the pressure sensor system.
Stress and physical activities are important aspects of life of people. Body reactions on stress and on physical activities can be very similar but long-term stress leads to diseases and damages the body. Currently there is no method to differentiate easily and clearly between these two aspects in a time slot. We have confronted this problem while developing a mobile system for detection and analysis of stress. This paper presents an approach, which uses a long-term monitor with ECG/EKG capabilities and analysis of the heart rate data that is extracted from the device. The focus of the work is to find characteristics that are useful for differentiation between physical activity and stress.
To assess the quality of a person’s sleep, it is essential to examine the sleep behaviour by identifying the several sleep stages, their durations and sleep cycles. The established and gold standard procedure for sleep stage scoring is overnight polysomnography (PSG) with the Rechtschaffen and Kales (R-K) method. Unfortunately, the conduct of PSG is timeconsuming and unfamiliar for the subjects and might have an impact of the recorded data. To avoid the disadvantages with PSG, it is important to make further investigations in low-cost home diagnostic systems. For this intention it is necessary to find suitable bio vital parameters for classifying sleep stages without any physical impairments at the same time.
Due to the promising results in several publications we want to analyse existing methods for sleep stage classification based on the parameters body movement,
heartbeat and respiration. Our aim was to find different behaviour patterns in the several sleep stages. Therefore, the average values of 15 wholenight PSG recordings -obtained from the ‘DREAMS Subjects Database’- where analysed in the light of heartbeat, body movement and respiration with 10 different methods.
Optical surface inspection: A novelty detection approach based on CNN-encoded texture features
(2018)
In inspection systems for textured surfaces, a reference texture is typically known before novel examples are inspected. Mostly, the reference is only available in a digital format. As a consequence, there is no dataset of defective examples available that could be used to train a classifier. We propose a texture model approach to novelty detection. The texture model uses features encoded by a convolutional neural network (CNN) trained on natural image data. The CNN activations represent the specific characteristics of the digital reference texture which are learned by a one-class classifier. We evaluate our novelty detector in a digital print inspection scenario. The inspection unit is based on a camera array and a flashing light illumination which allows for inline capturing of multichannel images at a high rate. In order to compare our results to manual inspection, we integrated our inspection unit into an industrial single-pass printing system.
We present an approach to reduce the complexity of adjusting privacy preferences for multiple online social networks. To achieve this, we quantify the effect on privacy for choices that users make, and simplify configuration by introducing privacy configuration as a service. We present an algorithm that effectively measures privacy and adjusts privacy settings across social networks. The aim is to configure privacy with one click.
Reconstruction of hand-held laser scanner data is used in industry primarily for reverse engineering. Traditionally, scanning and reconstruction are separate steps. The operator of the laser scanner has no feedback from the reconstruction results. On-line reconstruction of the CAD geometry allows for such an immediate feedback.
We propose a method for on-line segmentation and reconstruction of CAD geometry from a stream of point data based on means that are updated on-line. These means are combined to define complex local geometric properties, e.g., to radii and center points of spherical regions. Using means of local scores, planar, cylindrical, and spherical segments are detected and extended robustly with region growing. For the on-line computation of the means we use so-called accumulated means. They allow for on-line insertion and removal of values and merging of means. Our results show that this approach can be performed on-line and is robust to noise. We demonstrate that our method reconstructs spherical, cylindrical, and planar segments on real scan data containing typical errors caused by hand-held laser scanners.
The IETF, concerned with the evolution of the Internet architecture, nowadays also looks into industrial automation processes. The contributions of a variety of IETF activities, initiated during the last ten years, enable now the replacement of proprietary standards by an open standardized protocol stack. This stack, denoted in the following as 6TiSCH-stack, is tailored for industrial internet of things (IIoTs). The suitability of 6TiSCH-stack for Industry 4.0 is yet to explore. In this paper, we identify four challenges that, in our opinion, may delay or hinder its adoption. As a prime example of that, we focus on the initial 6TiSCHnetwork
formation, highlighting the shortcomings of the default procedure and introducing our current work for a fast and reliable formation of dense network.
Technology-based ventures provide an important route for successful technology transfer [1], [2]. Their founders are supported in successful technology commercialization by innovation intermediaries [3]. Accordingly, the performance of an innovation system, at least to some extent, depends on the efficiency of these intermediaries in terms of the impact of their scarce resources on the survival and growth of technology-based ventures. To increase their efficiency, intermediaries typically optimize their "intake" by requesting a formal business plan to base their selection on as a hygiene factor [4]-[7]. Thus, some scholars argue that written business plans show significant distortion as being produced only to attract support from innovation intermediaries [6], [8]. Accordingly, they rarely serve for these addressees as a source of information for analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of ventures, in order to derive actionable conclusions and more effectively support ventures [9], [10]. Addressees search for different indicators in business plans for their evaluation [11]. The descriptions of these indicators only evince little empirical proof for the performance of technology-based venture's [8], [12]. This gap is herein addressed, in contrast to the lacking empirical insight, as the most frequently produced artifact of early-stage technology ventures is at the same time a written business plan [10], [13]. This paper addresses this gap by conceptualizing transaction relations described in the written business plan as a means for working around the inevitable inaccuracies and uncertainties that delimit the explanatory abilities [14] of the snapshot model [10] presented by a business plan. Using a qualitative content analysis, we derive from the descriptions of transaction relations in a written business plan valid indicators for the maturity of the venture's value-network in different dimensions [15]. To this extent, this paper presents the findings from a pre-study that was conducted based on a sample of forty business plans from an overall population of 800 business plans in a longitudinal sample from one of Europe's most active innovation systems, the regional State of Baden-Württemberg. Such findings may be used by innovation intermediaries to enhance their efficiency, by enabling these to not only derive individual support strategies for business acceleration but also to analyze the impact of support measures by reliably monitoring maturity progress in venture activities.