Instrumentation, Sensors and Interfaces Group

Research, at the system on board (SoB) level, on:

1) Autonomous sensors and wireless sensor networks for agro-environment applications, smart buildings, intelligent traffic systems, and body area networks.

a. Harvesting of solar, RF, pyroelectric, and wind energy.
b. Wireless power transfer via inductive coupling and magnetic resonance.
c. Power and energy management for low-power systems.
d. Low-power sensor signal interfaces.
e. Interoperability and physical network deployment.
f. Electromagnetic compatibility.
g. Wireless sensor networks based on micro-aerial vehicles (MAVs).

2) Biomedical sensors for e-health, home health care, active healthy ageing, ambient assisted living, telemonitoring, and proactive and preventive medicine.

a. Passive vital sign monitors embedded in chairs, seats, weighing scales, bed linen.
b. Cardiovascular measurements based on feet and hand interfaces.

3) Engineering solutions for disabled people.

a. Augmented and alternative communication.
b. User interfaces for ambient control.
c. Vital sign monitoring.
d. Stress detection at the work place.

4)  Instrumentation methods based on impedance measurements, including spectroscopy and tomography.

a. Electrolyte conductivity measurements based on resistive electrodes.
b. Electrolyte conductivity sensors based on capacitive electrodes.
c. Battery condition (State of charge (SoC) and State of health (SoH)) estimated from impedance and temperature measurements.
d. Systems for shallow prospection applied to Archaeology, Civil Engineering and Environmental Assessment.

Services:

1)   Advice and guidance on EMC and Signal Integrity.

2)   Automated systems based on LabView.