While Electronic Design Automation made the shift towards system design and high-level design methods keep on emerging, there is hardly any open framework which allows researchers to quickly prototype novel synthesis algorithms. We present System#, an open source system level design framework based on C#. System# tries to bridge the productivity gap by covering modeling, simulation, code transformations and VHDL code generation in a single extensible platform. We explain how common modeling principles, such as component-based design, the separation of communication and computation, concurrent behavior and time are realized in System#. The implementation of an appropriate simulator kernel is discussed. We demonstrate the potential of code transformations by giving application examples: converting a cycle-accurate sequential specification to an explicit synthesizable finite state machine representation and IP-based design. We conclude that System# is an appropriate research and integration platform which has the potential to add value to the research community.

Urinary incontinence as a result of neurological or age-related diseases is a very disturbing problem concerning a significant percentage of the population. People afflicted with this disorder cannot control the arbitrary filling of the urinary bladder. The most widespread solution is catheterization, which is neither pleasant nor harmless. A device monitoring bladder fill level could remind patients about the need for a draining, grant them greater comfort and save their health and costs. We developed a concept of a wearable ultrasound system for continuous monitoring. Our system does not use ultrasound gel, but implements a dry coupling. This is why in contrary to existing ready-to-use systems, it can work automatically and continuously. For the duration of the cyclic measurements the skin adheres to the transducer and transmission becomes high enough to make the estimation of the bladder fill level with ultrasound possible. We present the results of a feasibility study. We empirically examined the power transmission as a function of adhering force for different skin samples and compared it with values achieved using ultrasound gel. For this purpose we constructed ultrasound transmitting and receiving hardware and a setup enabling to set and measure the applied force. Based on further calculations we confirmed that the level of the received reflected signal is high enough to successfully estimate the amount of urine in the bladder.

This paper describes a computer model of human thermoregulation based on the Fiala model that we have extended with a module for active body climate control. The main stimulus for the development of this model is the need to predict the thermal response of the human body to the actual prototype for active body climate control. This prototype supports the heat exchange mechanisms of the body by improving convection and especially evaporation. The model has been validated with experimental data from a field study. As a result, new design recommendations for the enhancement of the prototype and especially the control algorithm, based on vital and environmental parameters, could be identified.

The complexity of modern cars and along their electric/electronic architecture (EEA), rapidly increased during the last years. New applications like driver assistance systems are highly distributed over the network of hardware components. More and more systems share common sensors placed in sensor clusters. This leads to a greater number of mutually connected electronic control units (ECUs) and bus systems. The traditional domain specific approach of grouping connatural ECUs into one bus system, does not necessarily lead to an overall optimal EEA design. We developed a method to automatically determine a network structure based on the communication requirements of ECUs. Based on the EEA model, which is developed during the vehicle development life-cycle, we have all the information we need, like cycle times and data width, to build a network of automotive bus systems. We integrated our method into the EEA tool PREEvision to allow rapid investigation of realization alternatives. The relocation of functions from one ECU to another can ideally be supported by our method, since we can generate a new network structure within minutes, fitting the new communication demands.

Die Fahrzeug-zu-Fahrzeug oder Fahrzeug-zu-Infrastruktur (Car-to-X beziehungsweise C2X) Kommunikation ist ein wesentlicher Treiber zukuenftiger Mobilitaetskonzepte. Sie soll den Strassenverkehr sicherer machen, Verkehrsfluesse optimieren und die Energieeffizienz im Verkehr steigern. C2X-Systeme treten momentan im Rahmen verschiedener Projekte in erste prototypische Feldtests ein. Der Test von Algorithmen, Parametern, Standards, Hardware und Implementierungen ist zeit- und kostenaufwaendig, skaliert nur unbefriedigend und bietet eine Wiederholbarkeit nur in einem aeusserst beschraenkten Rahmen. Neue Werkzeuge und Entwicklungsmethoden sowie eine interdisziplinaere Betrachtungsweise sind deshalb gefordert. Ein neuartiger Ansatz fuer eine modulare C2X-in-the-Loop-Testumgebung wird vorgestellt, die die Entwicklung und Validierung von C2X-Applikationen sowie der entsprechenden Hardware einschliesslich des Gesamtfahrzeugs ermoeglicht. Es wird eine moeglichst realistische, simulierte Umgebung erzeugt. Aufbauend auf dem X-in-the-Loop-Ansatz, der eine rollenpruefstandsbasierte Fahrdynamiksimulation einschliesst, werden bereits bestehende Test-, Simulations- und Entwicklungswerkzeuge erweitert (zum Beispiel der Verkehrssimulator Microsim, die Fahrdynamiksimulationsumgebung IPG CarMaker sowie verschiedene Leistungspruefstaende) und in voellig neuartiger Weise miteinander kombiniert. Die Herausforderungen, die sich durch die C2X-Kommunikation fuer Testsysteme ergeben, werden herausgearbeitet. Im weiteren Verlauf werden die Methoden und Ansaetze der C2X-in-the-Loop-Testumgebung abgeleitet und detailliert. Abschliessend wird der Prototyp (eine Demonstrator-Plattform) vorgestellt, der die Machbarkeit des Ansatzes demonstriert. (A) Beitrag zum Themenbereich Jahrmarkt der Innovationen der 26. VDI/VW-Gemeinschaftstagung Fahrerassistenz und Integrierte Sicherheit, Wolfsburg, 6. und 7. Oktober 2010. Siehe auch Gesamtaufnahme der Tagung, ITRD D366841. ABSTRACT IN ENGLISH: Car-to-car or car-to-infrastructure (Car-to-X, C2X) communication is an essential driver of future mobility concepts with the aim of enhancing traffic safety, optimizing traffic flow and enabling more energy efficient mobility. In the context of several related projects, C2X systems are currently entering the phase of first prototypical field tests. Due to the novelty of these systems and the lacking deployment until now, tests of algorithms, parameters, standards, hardware and implementations are extremely expensive in time and cost, unsatisfyingly scalable and provide only for very limited repeatability. Because of that a successful realization demands for new tools and development methodologies as well as an interdisciplinary approach. This contribution presents a novel approach for a modular C2X-in-the-loop test environment enabling development and validation of C2X applications as well as the appropriate hardware including the complete vehicle. For the unit under test a realistic simulated environment is generated. Originating from the X-in-the-loop approach which includes a roller test bench based driving dynamics simulation, already existing test, simulation, and development tools are extended and combined in a completely new way in order to fulfill the mentioned functional goals. The initial goal of this contribution is to point out and introduce challenges that emerge for test systems when focusing on C2X. In the further course methods and approaches of the C2X-in-the-loop test environment are derived and specified. The contribution concludes with the presentation of a prototype which demonstrates the feasibility of the approach. (A)

Self-reconfiguration and adaptivity are important new concepts For reconfigurable hardware. The benefits include, for example, a reduction in power dissipation by sharing resources therefore requiring smaller reconfigurable chips. Idle applications are substituted on demand by actually needed functions. As a result, the number of possible functions controlled by Such systems increases without raising, the number of additionally required processing elements. Parallel tasks (functions) in hardware execute more efficiently compared with sequential microprocessors. The high performance of reconfigurable hardware and the possibility of hardware parallelization, help to overcome increasing problems of data processing, with traditional microcontroller and microprocessors in future complex electronic systems. A relevant issue is the use of adaptive reconfigurable systems in real-time applications, which is one of the basic conditions for a variety of target applications. New approaches to create systems, which are able to manage their own configuration are called run-time systems. These systems use the flexibility of e.g. an FPGA by partially changing the configuration. Only the necessary functions are configured in the chip's memory. On demand one or more functions can be substituted by another while other parts stay operative. The ALadyn project targets exactly this kind of adaptive system approach and investigates in the physical hardware realization, system modeling and development tools.

For the application of wireless sensor network technology in an energy self-sufficient condition monitoring appliance, we propose a new hybrid network topology to combine the advantages of the ZigBee standard with the need for lowest power consumption when applying an energy harvesting solution for a subset of the sensor nodes. For a research project on a wireless condition monitoring system, we developed a prototype implementation of a partly energy self-sufficient wireless sensor network. We adapted the ZigBee network protocols so that the energy consumption of the self-sufficient nodes is reduced albeit a ZigBee conform communication with the rest of the network is still ensured. In this paper, the prototype system is presented and the problem when applying a full ZigBee stack is stated. We propose to shift parts of the network functionality from the end-devices to the (mains- or battery powered) routers and show actual measurement results and calculated values to indicate the improvements of this adapted hybrid topology.

The mass casualty emergency response involves logistic impediments like overflowing victims, paper triaging, extended victim wait time and transport. We propose a new system based on a location aware wireless sensor network (WSN) to overcome these impediments and assist the emergency responders (ER) in providing efficient emergency response during disasters like chemical explosions. In this paper we have only elaborated about the patient tracking and local air temperature monitoring functionalities of this system. We have developed an energy efficient ZigBee-ready temperature sensor node hardware and setup a ZigBee mesh network demonstrator. An RSSI-based localization solution is tested to analyze its suitability to track patients at the disaster site. A new algorithm to detect and display the temperature zones at the disaster site is developed and analyzed to find its computation efficiency. The patient tracking and temperature zone detection results show the increase of situation awareness, which can enable fast patient evacuation.

In order to investigate the correlation between stress and cognitive performance, a mobile Body & Mind Monitoring System was implemented. This system has a modular design and contains different modules allowing a long time and noninvasive monitoring of physiological parameters of a test person in his every day life, for instance ECG, GSR, PPG, respiration and physical activity. The functionality of the created set-up was validated and clinical studies can now be conducted.

Health Monitoring is a growing field of research and development that gets more and more attention. Monitoring of patients at home by means of telemedical devices is a great chance to reduce costs for the healthcare system and increases the quality of life. Expanding the idea of health monitoring, a system-is presented which not only monitors patient's vital data, but also enables the physician to adapt the therapy from afar by remote controlling the therapeutic device at the patient's site. Taking therapy of pain with infusion pumps as an example, the shortcomings of current treatment are discussed and optimizations using a teletherapeutic system are shown. The presented system consists of a webserver with webservice interface, which allows bidirectional, secure and fault tolerant communication between the physician and the devices of the patient.

Wireless networks and hand-held devices are permanently evolving and becoming a more effective alternative to actual network technologies and applications that are used by the health service providers. We envision a Hospital Area Network (HAN) that is formed mainly using WLAN and Zigbee. A Zigbee sensor network of wearable health monitoring devices, medical equipments and PDA's is formed enabling the hospital staff to be connected to their critical systems independent of their location in the medical facility. However, to take advantage of the high mobility enabled by the wireless sensor networks (WSN) in the HAN application, a series of problems have to be solved, like: choosing a good abstraction level to work with the WSN (e.g. appropriate middleware), design software that increases interoperability between heterogeneous medical devices, design hardware that are energy efficient and miniaturized, find techniques and algorithms that are appropriate for an increasing complexity, dynamic and ad-hoc behavior of the network. In this paper, we will tackle some of these problems and refer to hardware and software aspects. On the hardware side, the low power Zigbee-ready motes are suggested as the hardware platform for on the body medical sensor nodes and medical devices. On the software side, the OSA+ II middleware that scales down to the miniaturized medical sensor nodes and that allows a good interoperability between them is explained. Then, we will show how organic computing can be used in HAN. Organic computing consists of techniques and principles used in nature, like: self-organization that can be applied for building an HAN that is easy to deploy and flexible to adapt for hospital specific situations.

Pain therapy is an important part of the current health care system and will become even more significant in future, because of the demographic changes. Though there are shortfalls in medical care of patients with pain. There are not enough specialized clinics and most of the patients do not get adequate therapy. In this paper the authors present a system that can solve these problems in pain therapy and enables specialized clinics to increase their efficiency in order to increase the capacity for pain care. The system combines telemonitoring of patients with the ability to remote control the patient's infusion pump from afar. The physician is able to adapt the therapy of a patient without the need to visit him personally. Because of the fact, that the infusion pump applies analgesics that are able to cause vital harm, special interest is taken in the security and safety of the teletherapy system.

Due to the rising complexity of modern chip designs, the connection of the different on-chip IP cores has become an important issue. To establish communication links between computation nodes either wide busses or fast serial data paths - so called networks on chip (NoC) - are necessary, depending on the application and the chip design. In case of the serial links a variety of different algorithms and topologies are cogitable, which have to be evaluated and tested to find the optimal solution for a given problem. To do this, the NoC can be emulated on a hardware platform based on FPGAs to exploit the flexibility for short turn-around-times and achieve nearly real time conditions by accelerating the test process. Our approach presents the combination of a flexible and versatile FPGA-based rapid prototyping system and efficient network on chip (NoC) implementation based on Xilinx Virtex-II FPGAs

RAM-based FPGAs have become very important for electronic designs in the last years since they are very flexible, provide high configurability and allow short turn around times. Especially in the field of rapid prototyping (RP) another feature plays an important rule: their infinite re-programmability. These features help to create freely modifiable Rapid Prototyping systems, which allow both, changes in the hardware architecture as well as in soft-ware. However, handling the FPGA devices in the engineering process is not an easy issue and typically requires deep knowledge of the circuits themselves, their behavior and programming languages as VHDL or Verilog. Our approach presents the combination of a flexible and versatile FPGA- based rapid prototyping system and efficient configuration methodology for Xilinx Virtex-II FPGAs supplemented by an easy to use design support for time saving functional implementation and platform configuration.

RAM-based FPGAs have become very important for electronic designs in the last years since they are very flexible, provide high configurability and allow short turn around times. Especially in the field of rapid prototyping (RP) another feature plays an important rule: their infinite reprogrammability. These features help to create freely modifiable rapid prototyping systems, which allow both, changes in the hardware architecture as well as in software. However, handling the FPGA devices in the engineering process is not an easy issue and typically requires deep knowledge of the circuits themselves, their behavior and programming languages as VHDL or Verilog. Our approach presents the combination of a flexible and versatile FPGA-based rapid prototyping system and efficient configuration methodology for Xilinx Virtex-II FPGAs supplemented by an easy to use design support for time saving functional implementation and platform configuration

Duetotherising complexity ofmodernchipdesigns, theconnection ofthedifferent on-chip IPcoreshasbecomean important issue. Toestablish communication links between com- putation nodeseither widebusses orfastserial datapaths - so called networks onchip(NoC)-arenecessary, depending onthe application andthechipdesign. Incaseoftheserial links avari- etyofdifferent algorithms andtopologies arecogitable, which havetobeevaluated andtested tofind theoptimal solution fora given problem. Todothis, theNoCcanbeemulated onahard- wareplatform basedonFPGAstoexploit theflexibility forshort turn-around-times andachieve nearly realtimeconditions by accelerating thetest process. Ourapproach presents thecombina- tionofa flexible andversatile FPGA-based rapidprototyping system andefficient network onchip(NoC)implementation based onXilinx Virtex-It FPGAs.