Signal processing laboratory

The laboratory was established in 1972 and is engaged in theoretical research and practical development of digital signal processing systems, including the development of specific techniques and applications in analog-to-digital signal conversion. The work of the laboratory during these years is reflected in more than 200 publications, conference presentations, and monographs.

Currently, there are 11 people in the laboratory, including 3 researchers, and 1 scientific assistant.

Research and development areas:

• Virtual instruments based on advanced DSP technologies;
• Program-controlled radio devices, including those based on non-uniform sampling;
• Signal-dependent analysis of non-stationary signals, event-driven analog-to-digital conversions;
• Biometrics and brain signal processing;
• Microminiaturization of data acquisition and processing systems;
• Smart sensor and networked embedded system signal processing;
• Wireless sensor network systems, including sensor module hardware architecture, communication protocols, operating systems and application-oriented software;
• Applications of directional antenna arrays in wireless sensor networks;
• Transistor based UWB pulse generators and receivers;
• Wearable devices and their signal processing.

In recent years, two research groups have been established in the laboratory: one focused on developing wearable sensor systems, and the other on advancing ultra-wideband radar technology.

Wearable sensor group is working on wearable sensor system development with potential applications in medicine, sport and daily activities. Mainly systems are based on inertial sensors, but the group has also experience with bioelectric signals (ECG, EMG, EEG). Within group novel wired communication solution has been developed that allows data acquisition from several hundred sensors, using minimal wiring. The solution is further developed beyond the field of wearable sensor systems for monitoring the deformations of constructions.

Examples of developed technologies:

• 3D shape reconstruction fabric: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDG0ERF2_d8
• human body motion model 3D reconstruction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAFCrMgJrmI
• human-computer interface development for people with disabilities: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfiS01VfavU

Group competencies-expertise: sensor system development, inertial sensors, low power sensor system development, PCB design, Flexible PCB design, digital communication interfaces, Bluetooth and Bluetooth Low Energy communication in application level, inertial signal processing, bio-electric signal processing, machine learning algorithms, 3D visualization, simulations, software development for smart devices (Android OS smartphones, tablets) in wearable sensor context.

The Ultra wideband (UWB) radar team has been working on research and development of equivalent time conversion radar systems, resulting in both different unique solutions to improve radar performance and efficiency and several patents and publications on UWB signal generation, reception, processing, etc. Also, the group has developed a UWB radar device, which is used to study various UWB radar applications, such as:

• through wall measurements;
• ice thickness measurements;
• observation of non-contact signs of life (breathing, heartbeat);
• time domain reflectometry;
• antenna time domain measurements;
• measurements of material parameters.