Final Theses

In the following, you will find a selection of possible topics for qualification theses at the research group. Further topics within the scope of the research activities of the ressearch group are possible at any time after individual arrangement.

If you are interested or have any questions, please send an e-mail to hmt@tu-ilmenau.de

All topics listed below can be supervised in German or English language.

1. Antenna design and measurement

Active research staff: M.Sc. Ehtisham Asghar, M.Sc. Syed Naser Hasnain, M.Sc., M.Sc. Umais Tayyab

This research field deals with various topics on antennas, arrays, and system applications. The focus is on the design of novel antennas with enhanced functional performance for applications like automated and connected driving on roads and rails, robust satellite navigation, and advanced antenna measurement and data processing techniques. Interestingly, the subjects of expositions to electromagnetic wave and antenna design are finding a common methodological basis (see also topical areas no. 2 and no. 3).
Our partners come from automotive industry (e.g., Mercedes-Benz), tier-1 automotive suppliers (e.g., Bosch, Continental), local antenna industry (e.g., Funkwerk, Desay SV Automotive Europe, Wiegand), as well as signal-processing and software houses (e.g., Microwave Vision Group, Ansys, Altair, AVL, IPG).

2. Virtual verification and validation of automotive wireless sensor and communication systems

Active research staff: M.Sc. Berk Altinel, M.Sc. Aidar Khakimov, M.Sc. Muhammad Zeeshan

In view of the extremely high relevance of functional safety of communication and sensing for automated and connected driving, antenna and microwave technologies merge with driver assistance systems and virtual test environments. Our unique research facility is the “virtual road – simulation and test area” (VISTA), aiming at a complete coverage of radio propagation and connectivity issues related to wireless applications in road and rail traffic over a wide frequency range. Beside research partners like those listed for the topical area 1, the topics benefit from potential connections to the DLR Institute of Transportation Systems and world-level industrial associations like the Car-2-Car Communication Consortium or the 5G Automotive Association, as well high-level industrial and academic partners from Japan.

3. Research on electromagnetic field exposition and wave propagation

Active research staff: Dr.-Ing. Christian Bornkessel, M.Sc. Willi Hofmann, M.Sc. Lisa-Marie Schilling, M.Sc. Tobias Struck

In view of 5G and 6G new radio, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) is a research subject of rapidly growing interest and relevance. EMC characterises how well a device or system is suited to operate in an environ¬ment without introducing electromagnetic disturbances that interfer with the operation of other electrical products in the environment. The human exposure to electric, magnetic, or electromagnetic fields and possible adverse health effects is a sub-category of EMC, the electromagnetic environmental compatibility. Recently, this subject has found a common methodological basis with the topical areas no. 1 and no. 2, thus guaranteeing a sound and future-proof basis for current research.

The following projects reflect hot topics in the wider EMC field and offer the potential to cooperate with other global players in academia and industry.

 

4. Microwave and millimeter wave systems for modern satellite-based technologies

Active research staff: Dipl.-Ing. Uwe Stehr, NN

Modern data communications over optical fiber and along satellite links involve stringent security aspects. Quantum communication based on the generation and distribution of quantum keys, according to specific protocols, is in the focus of several research projects and constitutes central elements of the quantum hub Thuringia initiative, launched in June 2021. Ultra-broadband microwave and millimeter-wave components are indispensable constituents for such quantum systems and necessitate challenging RF research. Our main research partners are the Fraunhofer IOF and the Friedrich-Schiller-Universität in Jena, also consolidated in the Thuringian Innovation Center for Quantum Optics and Sensors (Inquosens).

Robust and accurate satellite navigation positioning is a key enabler for many other fields of satellite-based applications. We investigate novel receiver systems for automotive applications, based on distributed phase-synchronized sub-arrays, with a number of exciting challenges related to system design, receiver synchronization, and multi-standard antenna arrays. Our research partners are DLR Institute for Communication and Navigation, RWTH Aachen, Desay SV Automotive Europe, and IMMS GmbH (subcontractor).