Technology Consulting Radio Communication for IoT

Fraunhofer IIS supports you with comprehensive technology consulting on all aspects of wireless and communication technologies, fully customized to your requirements.

In the age of digitalization and globalization, communication is an essential requirement in all parts of everyday life. From the digital communication of machines to optimize production processes in the area of Industry 4.0 to the daily use of smartphones, communication technologies and smart objects are a constant component. In many different fields of application, there are so many different requirements from the various user groups for their individual scenarios.

The focus here is particularly on wireless technology, which is used wherever wired communication is not possible or very impractical. It is important to select the right technology from the entire range of wireless technologies in terms of range, bandwidth and cost efficiency.

 

Advantages of Wireless Technologies

  • fast implementation
  • wireless data transmission
  • no wired infrastructure required thanks to wireless networking 
  • both point-to-point and point-to-multipoint connections possible
  • communication even without direct line of sight
  • connection even with fast movements
  • bridging of large distances with low energy consumption
  • connection of inaccessible places

 

We are the Experts on Wireless Communication

Fraunhofer IIS has extensive technical and practical know-how to support you in the introduction of wireless systems. We have access to state-of-the-art measurement techniques and methods, conveyor technology, as well as a complete test center for simulating real-life deployment scenarios.

We can answer any questions you may have about radio and communication technologies:

Which communication technologies are available on the market? – We would be happy to provide you with background information on the subject of radio and communication and give you insights into various implementation options.

What are the benefits and risks of implementing radio technology for my company? – We analyze possible solutions of current processes with you and then find the suitable basic technology for you.

Which communication technology is best suited for my specific application? –We will find your optimal and customized solution among the many possibilities and can also test it for you.

I would like to switch to wireless sensors, but I want them to be energy-efficient. Is that possible? Yes, that is possible. Various technologies and data transmission protocols can be used to reduce the energy consumption of your IoT sensors. 

There is no suitable radio technology for my problem on the market yet – what can I do? – We will be happy to develop a new and suitable technology for you.

Can I use the communication technology with my other systems in the process? – In realistic test scenarios, we examine possible challenges to the coexistence of technologies for you in the process and eliminate them. In the process, we also identify non-technical recommended actions for using the technology in your deployment scenario.

Does radio pose a privacy security risk to me? – We help you identify security risks.

How can I connect my products wirelessly? What antennas are available? What should I consider when selecting antennas? Is the coexistence of other wireless technologies a problem?

For just such questions and more, we offer our wireless and communications technology consulting services. We will provide you with a comprehensive and complete assessment of the use of the best possible technology for you, from both a technical and functional perspective.

 

Our Offer – Technology Consulting, Development, Evaluation

We offer you a complete package in which we are happy to answer all your questions and work with you to find a solution specifically for your wireless application.

You can use the offer, adapted to your requirements, as a whole or in components. All components can be variably combined and adapted according to your requirements.

 

In the initial consultation, the focus is on talking to you about optimization options in your company processes. We would also like to clarify your expectations of our technology consulting. What do you want to achieve with technology consulting? What effects do you hope to achieve for your company? The initial consultation will give us an overview of your individual use case and requirements. 

In a workshop tailored to your needs, we first address your expectations of the workshop and your motivation for using an IoT technology. We then identify relevant problems based on your current business processes and analyze the potential benefits of implementing various technologies. In our workshop, we will also provide you with basic information about our technologies at Fraunhofer IIS and give you an overview of various technical variants and how they work. Together, we will develop a possible solution for you and derive a suitable basic technology. If no suitable IoT technology for your problem exists on the market, we will be happy to develop a new and suitable technology for you. Finally, we discuss an initial IT concept with you in our technology workshop, which forms the framework for the subsequent implementation of your system. 

Once fundamental questions have been clarified in our technology workshop and an initial framework for a possible technology implementation in your company has been created, we carry out further research for you. We look at which wireless technologies are available on the market that are suitable for your application. Among other things, we take into account individually required ranges or different frequencies. Based on our analyses, we provide you with recommendations for action and help you to find the best option for your individual wireless application

We then test possible technical solutions for you in order to check the suitability of various basic technologies in a realistic manner. The aim is to identify and resolve any practical risks or challenges at an early stage.

For this purpose, we offer you an optimal test environment in our L.I.N.K. Test and Application Center, in which individual scenarios can be tested in detail and close to the application. Alternatively, you also have the option of using our L.I.N.K.Mobil to carry out tests directly on your premises in the desired application. On the basis of this, we will then provide you with a detailed analysis in order to pass on the best recommendations for action to you.

Based on the research and tests carried out beforehand, we then work with you to develop a precise concept for the best possible use of the technology in your field of application. The exact procedure for using your technology is specified. In addition to selecting the basic technology, we determine the required quantity and check whether it is available at the time you need it. Possible interfaces and coexistence problems with other radio systems are also addressed so that nothing stands in the way of a flawless implementation process.

We are also there for you after the implementation of the wireless technology and are happy to advise you, for example as a contact for new requirements and ideas. We are also happy to inform you about new developments in the technology on the market. In this way, you will continue to have an overview of the latest changes and can adapt your company processes to them, which we will also support you with. We are also happy to advise you in the event of difficulties or a later expansion of the use of technology in your company.

Radio Technologies at the Fraunhofer IIS

 

mioty® - My Internet of Things

For large-area data transmission, we offer MIOTY®, a robust wireless IoT technology that sets new standards in terms of cost efficiency, transmission reliability with ranges of up to 15 kilometres and battery life. It is used, for example, to monitor large production plants and entire urban areas.

 

5G mMTC and NB-IOT

NB-IOT meets the requirements of LPWAN and is continued under 5G for massive Machinetype Communication (mMTC). This is expected to enable connectivity of up to 1 million devices per km2 and is typically used for sensor networks, connected machines, wearables or autonomous, networked robotics.

 

RFID

We evaluate RFID systems in special fields of application, e.g. metallic environments, and perform reliability tests using state-of-the-art measurement technology. We also develop complete RFID systems or subsystems.

 

Ultra Reliable Communication

We provide development and technology consulting for radio systems in terms of latency and reliability with limited radio, power and processing resources.

 

IO-Link Wireless

The IO-Link wireless radio technology, which can be used worldwide, provides a cost-effective, highly reliable and deterministic communication standard. This technology is an extension of IO-Link on the physical level and defines wireless communication between sensors and actuators to the PLC in the environment of Industry 4.0.

 

Ambient IoT

Ambient IoT refers to a new class of wireless IoT communication that uses energy from the environment. Energy harvesting eliminates the need for cables to supply power or recharging batteries in mobile devices.