Exploiting Adaptive Networking for Joint Design of Communication and Control in Cyber Physical Systems (eNC2)

• Applicants: Professor Dr.-Ing. Gerhard P. Fettweis; Professor Dr.-Ing. Frank Hanns Paul Fitzek
• Subject Area: Electronic Semiconductors, Components and Circuits, Integrated Systems, Sensor Technology, Theoretical Electrical Engineering
• Term: from 2017 to 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 334648488

The project proposal eNC2 is advocating for joint design of communication and control in cyber physical systems exploiting adaptive networking concepts to enable global (and not local) cyber physical systems. The goal of the project is to carry out multi-disciplinary and collaborative research to advance the fundamental theory for future cyber physical systems (CPSs) combining control and communication (C&C) system not by agnostic coupling but exploring the inter-dependency between C&C system. Currently, communication networks integrate disruptive novel techniques such as software defined networks (SDN) and network function virtualization (NFV) to deal with the new challenges such as i.) latency, ii.) resilience, and iii.) highly dynamic network conditions, which allow the control systems to address cyber physical systems on a global scale. From the control perspective, we have to address the integration of sensor fusion - decision making - learning (SDL) into the conventional observer-controller loop for individual cyber physical systems attached to the network, and study new mathematical models for an optimization approach to systematically derive a joint C&C structure. From the communication perspective, we will introduce network coding and compressed sensing for NFV/SDN enabled communication systems to study fundamental limits and deal with massive number of controllable entities. In order to demonstrate the combined C&C approach, we implement our own testbed based on openstack (NFV), openflow (SDN), KODO (network coding), and TestMan (proprietary controlling software) to study the role of agile hierarchical decision making and learning by means of connected cooperative cars.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants