Electrical Engineering

Smart solutions, alternative energies, miniaturization of electronic products – PROvendis offers attractive technologies from the field of electrical engineering for licensing, to purchase or for development cooperation.

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Optical magnetometer current measuring system

Optical current measuring systems are one way of measuring electric current touchlessly and contactlessly. They use light to determine current precisely. The advantage is that optical transformers are compact, saturation-free, linear, and high-precision. They can detect very large and very small currents in a broad frequency range.

Active interference-suppressed power electronics

High-frequency circuits can cause electromagnetic emissions that impair other electronic systems. In power electronics, it is therefore often necessary to suppress EMC interference by such means as active narrowband filters.

Field-programmable analog circuits

In digital technology, field-programmable circuits, called FPGAs, are a low-cost, flexible alternative to ASICs, especially for prototypes and small batches.

3D ambisonic microphone

Home theater, gaming and VR applications increasingly rely on three-dimensional surround sound, however, low and very low tones in particular are inadequately reproduced.

PICOihc

The invention pertains to an integrate-and-hold circuit which is used as a sampler. The typical structure of an integrate-and-hold circuit (IHC) is a multiplier serving as a switch followed by a resettable integrator with a hold capacitor.

MPTSC

For a fast and precise control of mechatronic systems usually non-linear PID controllers are used. The more nonlinearities a system contains, the more complex the control task becomes.

CurrentShare

To reduce the input resistance of power modules, single semiconductor switches are usually connected in parallel.

Brake resistor

To decelerate an electric motor, the remaining kinetic and magnetic energy must be removed from the system. This is usually done with brake resistors that convert the energy to heat.

Opto-THC

Sample-and-hold circuits or track-and-hold (TH) circuits, along with analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), are the link from the analog to the digital world.

Magnetic field focusing

Thanks to an invention by Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences and the use of a specially shaped ferrite sheath, the temperature distribution of induction hobs can be made more homogeneous and energy efficiency increased.

Virtual spatial boundaries for robots

Navigating robots safely through spaces - the new technology from Bielefeld University can contribute to this by simply capturing virtual spatial boundaries. The soft-based input of 3D workspaces is thus greatly simplified by augmented reality.

Temperature compensation for semiconductors

The technology of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum is a method for minimizing temperature and tolerance effects in MOS circuits, which can be used in series production for all known analog MOS circuit arrangements. Central parameters such as current consumption, dynamic ranges, gains, 1/f input noise and also the frequency responses can be kept constant.

Scalable photodetector

Most optical sensors require an external supply voltage - not so the novel scalable photodetector from the University of Duisburg-Essen. This photodetector can also be processed or manufactured on a foil basis using the MOCVD process. Possible applications include implants without a battery for medical technology.

Greatly improved radar/lidar sensor

Greatly improved distance measurement with radar/lidar sensor through the use of quantum technology. An invention of the University of Paderborn improves radar/lidar systems theoretically up to the resolution limit. Quantum mechanical effects are used here by superimposing several optical signals on a so-called quantum pulse gate (QPG).

Electro-optical PLL

Electro-optical phase-locked loop control loops, so-called electro-optical PLLs, are used in measurement technology and communications engineering. Very narrowband optical signals are particularly important for communications technology, as this allows the channel bandwidth to be used as efficiently as possible.

Smart power cable monitoring

What is the status of the power cables at the distribution grid level? This information is generally not gathered, since conventional methods such as dissipation factor measurement involve a great deal of effort – and then there are the high costs and power disruption for connected customers.

GCAS

The invention GCAS covers the specific use case of real-time collision avoidance during operation by continuous position exchange across system boundaries of different secondary radar systems. This enables safe operation of multiple unmanned and manned aircraft in a common airspace.

Wiegand position encoder with Gray code generation

A new technology from the FH Aachen describes a rotation angle sensor for determining the absolute position by means of several Wiegand sensors. The transitions detected by the Wiegand sensors are used in an evaluation circuit to represent the angle of rotation in a Gray code.

EPIC spectrometer

Spectral analysis is used in many areas of measurement technology. But it often requires very large, expensive devices.

Optimized chip tests

Reliable microchips, so-called integrated circuits (ICs), must be tested to guarantee the required functionality in later operation. This costs chip manufacturers a lot of time and money. The novel fast chip test (JTAG) with reconfigurable test structures from Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences now ensures cost- and time-optimized IC tests.

Wireless water leakage detection

The battery- and wireless sensor system from the University of Paderborn detects water leaks in buildings, heating systems or the water supply. The permanent and maintenance-free monitoring of bathroom seals, washing machines, basement rooms as well as any kind of water-bearing pipes can be realized reliably and cost-effectively.

Optical magnetometer

The invention can optically measure magnetic fields with high sensitivity and can be used, among other things, for soil investigations, navigation systems or material investigations. The method from the University of Siegen can also be integrated into existing fluorescence microscopes.

Vector spectrometer

An improvement in high-resolution gigahertz and terahertz spectroscopy, now enables sensitive measurements of high-frequency signals over a wide spectral range. The application areas for this technology are in chemical analysis as well as quality control: The sensitivity in the measurement of analysis samples with high-frequency signals can thus be significantly increased.

Electrooptical mixer

Electrooptical mixers are optoelectronic components used in data transmission via optical fiber The novel electro-optical mixer from the University of Paderborn is switchable, smaller and offers improved noise performance, making it of interest to infrastructure equipment suppliers in telecommunications, among others.

Selective ion storage

The measurement of molecular spectra is important for the chemical or pharmaceutical industry. The new method from the University of Cologne is suitable for the acquisition of any kind of spectra of ion species such as rotational, vibrational, Ro-vibrational, electronic spectra. The composition of the spin states of electrons and nuclei can also be determined. This opens up completely new areas of application.

Neurostimulation with light

The stimulation of nerve cells with electrical or optical impulses is a field of research with a multitude of new applications in medicine. In the future, optogenetics will be used to research the healing possibilities of neurodegenerative diseases or traumatic injuries by stimulating photosensitized nerve cells.

Optical power supply

Quantum optical detectors are one of the markets of the future, but these detectors need to be heavily cooled. The novel system uses optical fibers for the energy supply, thus avoiding thermal bridges that occur with the usual use of copper lines. The photodiode then generates the required operating voltage for the detector from the light.

Improved satellite navigation

Position determination is of great commercial benefit for motor vehicles in logistics or agricultural technology, among others. A multi-antenna receiver system designed as a ballast at Münster University of Applied Sciences can enable high-precision position determination with conventional GNSS receivers down to a few centimeters.

Wiegand position encoder

Rotary encoders or incremental encoders are used in a wide range of industrial applications. An invention from the FH Aachen makes it possible to measure the angle of rotation or the rotational speed with the aid of a Wiegand sensor, which can be designed as a relative or absolute sensor, and a rotor that can be manufactured at low cost.

Improved "pump and probe" measurements

Optical pump-probe experiments are often used in spectroscopy and metrology. A new technology from the Ruhr-Universität Bochum allows to electrically control the sequences of excitation and interrogation pulses or the delay time between them. The advantage: No moving parts are required and no intervention in the laser resonator.

PLL frequency acquisition

The new and ASIC available PLL circuit of the University of Paderborn can be used in communications or control and measurement technology, especially where a permanent slow sine signal is used e.g. Bang-bang PLL, Hogge PLL, Baud rate CDR, Optical transceivers circuits.

Solar capsule

Solar energy is generated from solar panels or photovoltaic systems in solar farms or on house roofs. An invention by the University of Siegen based on a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) now makes it possible to manufacture affordable thin-film solar cells that can be applied to any surface like paint.

Smart grid expansion

Intelligent power grids can monitor and regulate themselves independently. A new process from the University of Wuppertal makes it possible to stabilize the voltage in grids by installing control units, as well as avoiding overloads.

Photoacoustic gas sensor

Gas sensors are used for the detection of gaseous substances. Resistive measurement methods are often used, but their signal values often exhibit drift due to aging or lose selectivity. A new type of photoacoustic gas sensor (PAS) from the Technical University of Dortmund is different: it detects target gases very precisely and selectively.

Detecting ionizing radiation

Ionizing radiation is harmful to humans and the environment even in the smallest quantities. Therefore, radioactive materials must be continuously monitored in hospitals, mines or reprocessing plants. A novel semiconductor sensor can analyze ionizing radiation in an integrated microfluidic system (in-situ).

Laser absorption spectroscopy

The new method from TU Dotmund uses laser absorption spectroscopy to monitor air quality in order to measure trace gases present, such as methane or CO2. The improved intra-cavity absorption spectroscopy allows the application in measurement technology, industrial process monitoring as well as safety engineering.

Optical Strain Gauge

The novel and all-optical strain measurement method is highly accurate and cost-effective. The strain is determined by means of an optical fiber-based purely optical method and thus also enables use in harsh application fields, such as explosion-proof areas or where disturbing pulsating magnetic fields interfere with conventional strain measurement sensors.

Diamond Schottky LED

LEDs are used today in a wide variety of applications, including lighting, data transmission, and biological processes. However, the commonly used LED materials are unsuitable for many applications. By using doped diamond, these LEDs can be designed specifically for high temperatures or pressures and especially for applications with special requirements, e.g. in optical metrology.

Substitute for LIDAR sensors

Optical components like photodiodes have a variety of uses in sensors and telecommunications technology. Even with time-of-flight sensors, the light reflected by objects has to be converted into electrical signals in order to compute the distance or speed of said objects.

Compensating for Leakage current

Efficient charging of traction batteries is a key technology for the success of electric vehicles on the market. To this end, concepts for transformerless on-board chargers are currently being increasingly considered. Interfering high leakage currents to ground can be prevented or compensated for by this invention.

Optimized Amplifier Circuit

Shunt current measurement techniques are used in electric cars and in the charging stations. Special control of the circuit allows amplifiers to be ramped up to the operating point very quickly, safely and reliably. The amplification factor can be adjusted over three orders of magnitude.

Digital Power Factor Correction

By using this new digital power factor correction, the electromagnetic interference in power electronic systems such as battery chargers, plug-in power supplies, computer power supplies or e-bike chargers can be significantly reduced.

Microwave thermograph

The new method for microwave thermography uses a commercially available HD optical camera and an indicator plate to convert the microwaves into a high-resolution, digital field distribution. The developed indicator plate allows microwave thermography between 1 GHz and 300 GHz.

CMOS biosensors

Production process for a highly sensitive biosensor made from a crossed nanowire-structure field-effect transistor. The cost effective CMOS compatible production process allows for e.g. biosignal monitoring of molecules like c-reactive protein (CRP), cardiac troponin (cTnI), electrogenic cells, or peptides such as amyloid-beta.

Modular charging station

This modular charging station for small, battery-operated devices like electric toothbrushes enables low-wear charging of batteries and reduces messy cabling.

Smart charging for electric vehicles

There is a growing trend for electric vehicles. Their drive batteries require charging at high power from the available AC power grid. Three-phase on-board chargers (OBCs) are used for this purpose at high power outputs of at least 11 KW.

Lock-In Amplifier

Lock-In amplifiers are firmly anchored in everyday research. They offer excellent noise suppression for repeating signals. The degree of suppression, however, depends critically on the low-pass filter at the end of the signal processing chain.

Synthetic Image Data

Almost all car manufacturers are currently developing camera-based autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles.

Optically switched resonant-tunneling diode

Resonant-tunneling diodes are semiconductor components that, due to the quantum mechanical effect of the tunnel, have a current-voltage characteristic with a negative differential resistance.

DC-DC resonant converter

Flexible chargers for batteries (especially in the field of e-mobility), fuel cell applications or flexible photovoltaic battery combinations all contain switch-mode power supplies with DC converters, DC-DC converters in short.

Method for current measurement in half-bridge topologies

A number of different instrument transformers are used to determine voltage and current in regulated power electronics. Current measurement becomes more and more difficult with increasing current intensity, especially since the switching frequencies increase due to the use of modern (e.g. GaN) transistors and parasitic properties of the sensors must be minimized.

GridMaximizer

The electrical power grid is undergoing a major transformation. Increasing numbers of decentralized feeders have been added in recent years and, in the future, there will be a large number of charging stations for electric vehicles that temporarily draw a large amount of electrical power from the power grid.

Future Display Technology

The presented technology is a two dimensional optical waveguide with very low attenuation.