History
In 1960, the Institute of Electronics and Computing Technology was founded within the framework of the Academy of Sciences, incorporating separate laboratories from the Institute of Physics and the Institute of Energy. The initiator of the institute's establishment and its first director (until 1992) was Professor Eduards Jakubaitis.
The institute began its work in the premises of the Academy of Sciences high-rise building, and its main research topics were related to the development of digital computing techniques, automatic theory, electronic components, especially semiconductor devices, parameter determination and testing, the creation of high-speed logic circuits using tunnel diodes, etc.
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Institute of Electronics and Computing (EDI) was founded in 1960 as a research institution of the Latvian Academy of Sciences and incorporated individual laboratories of the Institute of Physics and Institute of Energetics. The founder and the first director (until 1992) of EDI was Professor Eduard Yakubaitis. Institute began its work at the premises of the Academy of Science. The main research areas were development of digital computers, theory of automata, parameter measurements and testing of electronic elements, in particular, semiconductor devices, fast switching logic for computer design with emphasis on application of tunnel diodes, etc.
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The creation and construction of the first computer in Latvia was the main accomplishment of EDI in 60-ties. It was successfully used for research-based calculations for several years. Research activities of the Institute expanded rapidly, therefore in 1964 it moved to the new premises in Teika district of Riga. In 1967 the publishing of scientific journal „Automatic Control and Computer Sciences” was started.
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The development of mini-computers and the first microprocessor systems in Latvia were among the most significant achievements of EDI in 70-ties. Particularly important was the multi-processor control system for the Moon Vehicle developed in the framework of the USSR Moon program in 1972. Substantial work was carried out in extending metrological support to semi-conductor industry which was developing successfully in Latvia at that time.
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In 80-ties computer networks was chosen as the main topic for research and development. Intensive work was carried out in the fields of wide as well as local area networks, several software and hardware products were developed, and several large-scale projects were completed, for example, creation of computer network of the USSR Academy of Sciences - AKADEMNET. About 800 researchers and supporting personnel were employed by EDI at the time.
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The institute was renamed as "Institute of Electronics and Computer Science" (EDI (from Latvian, legal name: Elektronikas un Datorzinatnu instituts)). Research and development activities reoriented towards digital signal processing related problems, in particular, in the field of randomized DSP, laser-Doppler DSP, laser ranging, event timing, UHF reflectometry (micro radar systems). Research continued also in the areas of dynamic analysis of non-linear objects, distributed data processing, computer network management and others. EDI became the winner of the European IT Prize in 1997 for the development of the DASP-Lab System – digital analyzer of radio frequency signals in time, frequency and modulation domains.
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The highest accomplishment of the 1st decade of the 21st century is high precision event timers, which received international recognition from the International Laser Ranging Service and are successfully used in the European Union, China, Japan, Korea, Russia and other countries. Nowadays, it is used by more than 50% of all world's satellite laser ranging stations.
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Substantial modernizations of infrastructure and laboratories, as well as partial renovation of the premises, have been done in the second half of the decade due to attracted financing from the EU structural funds. Following this development as well as the expansion of research projects, EDI has been able to attract dozens of young researchers, university students and post-graduate students. New fields of research has been added to the Institute’s research and development activities – wireless sensor networks, embedded systems, image processing and processing of biometric signals.
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21st century second decade - the Institute has already completed 9 projects co-financed by the European Union funds since 2010, (10 new projects are being implemented), continued work on the National Research Program, the EU 7th Framework Program and a large number of (12) H2020 projects. In addition, significant investments were made in the development of the infrastructure of the Institute, modernization of premises, development of a test environment for wireless sensor networks, etc. Research in general has expanded to focus on nanotechnologies, image processing, innovative technologies, biometrics, cyber-physical systems and smart technology research. On May 10th, 2017, the first self-driving car in Latvia created by EDI was demonstrated in the Biķernieki race track. The research on connected and automated driving was later awarded by Latvian Science Academy President's Certificate of Recognition for one of the most significant achievements in Latvian science in that year.
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Entering the 21st century in the third decade, EDI is an internationally recognized and recognized research center that implements ten Horizon 2020 projects and collaborates with over 300 universities, research centers and entrepreneurs worldwide, working side by side with companies such as Philips, Infineon, NXP, Siemens, Bosch, Audi, Daimler, Nokia and many more. We are actively working on new robotics solutions, artificial intelligence, HPC, wearable technology, remote sensing, autonomous cars, radar technology, ultra-precise event timing, Internet of Things, etc.
We will be able to judge the achievement of the decade at the end of this decade.