Under the term ‘embedded system’ it is possible to classify for example ATMs and autopilots, as well as washing machines, dishwashers or even TVs. Simply put, it is a single-purpose system in which there is a controlling computer completely built into the mechanism. Given that embedded systems are purpose-built for a particular application, their optimisation for that application is the aim of the experts from EMC2, thus reducing the cost of the whole product while at the same time improving its utility, reliability and especially safety.
“We were put in charge of one subproject, where BUT is working on the field of computer vision for security and industrial applications. Within the EMC2project, aside from the team from the Faculty of Information Technology from BUT, we cooperate especially with German and Austrian partners, but also with companies from Denmark and other EU countries,” explains Pavel Václavek, head of the research group from CEITEC BUT. Cooperation with the world’s biggest producer of testing equipment for car engines (AVL of Austria) or the Danish producer of control systems for special motors (Danfoss of Denmark) focusses on improving the safety, efficiency and reliability of motors. As an example of safety, efficiency and reliability, we can mention a set of development measures, which secure for the emergency operation of motors in the event of unexpected malfunctioning of several parts, where this is not allowed to lead to a threat to other parts of the system or people. While a car can currently have as many as eighty control systems, scientists involved in the project are developing and proposing a solution which would significantly reduce this number. In this way production costs would be reduced, while functioning would be more efficient, safety would be enhanced and last but not least the burden on the environment would be reduced.
The EMC2 project, the results of which are monitored and to a significant extent also financed bythe EU, is divided into twelve smaller sub-projects. Six of these are focussed on the development of new technologies, with the remainder dealing with their application.
“Participation in a project like EMC2is a means of forging links with the international scientific community and so building a solid presence with participation in other research projects, which is the key to the sustainability of many discussed scientific research centres and the future prosperity not only of Czech science but industry as well,” stressed CEITEC Director Markus Dettenhofer.
Project EMC2
The abbreviation for the project (E)mbedded (M)ulti-(C)ore systems for (M)ixed (C)riticality applications in dynamic and changeable real-time environments – that is EMCMC, and thus EMC2 or even better EMC2 - is at the same time a physics pun, because the equation E = mc² described by Albert Einstein in his special theory of relativity is among the most famous equations of all time; even people who otherwise take no interest in science know it. This equation has become a kind of mascot, used as an example of “difficult science”, which of course exaggerates its complexity. The equation describes the relationship between mass and energy.
International project coordinator: Infineon Technologies AG, Germany
National project coordinator for the Czech Republic: Brno University of Technology, Central European Institute of Technology – CEITEC
Other Czech participants: Freescale Semiconductor Czech republic, s.r.o.; SYSGO s.r.o.; IMA s.r.o.; AV ČR ÚTIA
Financing: ARTEMIS Industrial Association via the ARTEMIS Joint Undertaking from EU funds, co-financed from EU member national budgets (from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports in the Czech case).
Further information: http://www.artemis-emc2.eu/
