• Heterogeneous vehicle networks for data transmission in the field

  (Third Party Funds Single)

  Term: 2020-04-01 - 2023-03-31
  Funding source: andere Förderorganisation
  Abstract

  Vehicles are evolving to a mobile data platform. Besides mobility as their main purpose, the demand for entertainment, connectivity and current software is increasing. Besides installing updates in the workshop there is already today a mobile communication module built into the car, by which map updates, traffic information and entertainment applications are run. Mobile communication however depends on existing network coverage and can be limited in certain areas. Additionally a fee has to be paid to the mobile network provider, which is usually dependent on the amount of used data traffic. In this project additional technologies are to be evaluated, that may enable effective communication in the future. Publicly available WLAN hotspots have a potential as they are often available in the road area and can mostly be used cost-effective. Additionally vehicles need similar information, for instance a map update, that has to be delivered to multiple cars in the field. Therefor direct communication between vehicles as in 5G offers the possibility to exchange information in the field and reduce the usage of mobile communication. The goal is to test the combination of different technologies to a complex, heterogeneous vehicle network and evaluate the applicability of opportunistic networks. At the same time, proposals for future standardization are to be developed. From a scientific point of view suitable coordination and routing mechanisms are vital as connection times are short, vehicles serve as temporary storage and source of information and effective usage of transmission paths is relevant.
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• Mobility in Multi-Access Edge Computing (MEC) environments

  (Non-FAU Project)

  Term: 2019-10-01 - 2023-09-30
  Abstract

  In the future, data exchange will no more be between a cloud/datacenter-based server and a remote client only. Communication between clients need to be established directly due to aims like immersive applications, autonomous driving or platooning. 5G and future networks are going to follow a data-centric paradigm, respecting the increasing relevancy of direct communication between User Equipment (UEs). On top of that, computing and information resources will no longer be provided by cloud servers only.

  Multi-access edge computing (MEC) ist targeted by current research activities, where resources are located on distributed edge servers. MEC instances may be located close to base stations, to enable applications with special constraints like low-latency, high bandwidth or privacy concerns directly near a UE.

  This prospective concept will be adapted to services that can run literally everywhere – not following a strict hierarchical deployment concept anymore. In addition to a cloud instance, a service can be provided on an edge instance nearby, e.g. a basestation, a traffic control system or even a close-by UE. For energy saving or redundancy purposes it is desirable for an MEC orchestrator to dynamically reallocate edge resources between computing nodes. Next to that, also orchestration decisions and the movement of UEs can lead to frequent changes of the topology. This consequently leads to a mesh-like network setup where communication links are designed and set up based on the data transmitted and not strictly following a pure predefined network design.

  Network Function Virtualization (NFV) and the structural changes applied with the 5G evolution provide more system flexibility: the programmable data plane, part of an User Plane Function (UPF) in the 5G core, does enable the implementation of new ways of data-driven packet handling and forwarding.

  In today’s networks, services are usually deployed as server services located regarding a given network topology in a hierarchical architecture. The limitation in mobility scenarios of current approaches is most-likely the connection-oriented host-to-host communication. Plus, the ability of remote/in-network readdressing of client requests or responses for seamless connectivity, e.g. when the target edge node changes due to an outage, for energy saving reasons or on a handover to another MEC zone, is not natively existent.

  The research project targets visionary communication protocols and setups with focus on mobility scenarios for V2X applications in mesh-like MEC environments. Hereby, realization of Quality of Service (QoS) over network borders and independent network control planes is an essential aspect for the named use cases. Approaches of modern addressing methods and network protocols like Information-Centric Networking (ICN), Locator/Identifier Separation Protocol (LISP) or IPv6 are also considered as relevant.  Summing up, the research project deals with the challenges of network communication in frequently changing, non-hierarchical Service-oriented Architectures (SOAs).

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• Simulator coupling and data enrichment

  (Third Party Funds Group – Sub project)

  Overall project: Virtuelle Mobilitätswelt
  Term: 2018-10-01 - 2021-09-30
  Funding source: Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Wirtschaft und Medien, Energie und Technologie (StMWIVT) (ab 10/2013)
  Abstract

  The increasing networking and digitalization in the mobility industry leads to ever more complex systems and large amounts of data. This offers opportunities and challenges and requires innovative methods for research, analysis, development and validation of new mobility technologies. ViM aims to develop a platform prototype for research purposes and for the development of innovative business services, which can serve for testing novel mobility services and novel driving functions on a technical level (e.g. collaborative driving maneuvers). The aim is to develop a data and software framework that enables the introduction and use of different digital and modular components on the basis of their application context and provides mobility data as a basis for research, services and applications, taking into account any proprietary components. In particular, the platform allows the combination of real and simulated data to generate a realistic virtual world. Data analysis modules supplement this image and help to evaluate and interpret it.
  The Chair of Computer Networks and Communication Systems is involved in all work packages and leads in particular the work package Simulation.
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• Simulation and modeling based on collected real-world data

  (Non-FAU Project)

  Term: 2018-10-01 - 2021-09-30
  Abstract

   Die Funktionssicherheit von Fahrerassistenzsystemen sowie automatisierter und vernetzter Funktionen ist vom Automobilhersteller in jeder denkbaren Verkehrssituation sicherzustellen.  Im Entwicklungs- und Absicherungsprozess ist dazu eine erhebliche Zahl  von Verkehrssituationen, sog. Szenarien, abzuprüfen.  Dieser umfangreiche Prüfumfang lässt sich in Zukunft eigentlich nur noch durch den massiven Einsatz von Computersimulation sinnvoll bewältigen. Um in diesen Simulationen eine entsprechende Validität und Praxisrelevanz zu erzeugen, müssen Modelle des eigenen Fahrzeugs, der Strecken und –Umgebung sowie des umgebenden Verkehrs adäquat modelliert werden.

  Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit sollen Fahrsituationen, sogenannte Fahrszenarien, realer Versuchsfahrzeuge sensorisch erfasst und aufgezeichnet werden. Aus diesen Datenaufzeichnungen soll das aufgezeichnete Fahrszenario in einer Fahrsimulation nachgebildet und eine aktivierte automatisierte Fahrfunktion darin betrieben werden. Dadurch kann die Exaktheit des Simulationsmodells mit den aufgezeichneten Messdaten verglichen und validiert werden. Darüber hinaus werden so anspruchsvolle Fahrszenarien für einen Prüfkatalog gesammelt und das Fahrszenario kann mit vielen Variationen der zu simulierenden automatischen Fahrfunktion durchgespielt und verglichen werden.

  Aufbauend auf einem funktionierendem Verfahren der Szenariengenerierung aus Messdaten soll ein Verfahren für gezielte Datenanalyse relevanter Szenarien  aus Massendaten hinsichtlich Kategorien, Definitionen, Trajektorien zur Erzeugung von parametrierbarer Manöverklassen systematisch erarbeitet werden.

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• Evaluation methodology for automated driving using function simulation

  (Non-FAU Project)

  Term: 2018-09-01 - 2021-08-31
  Abstract

  Die Funktionssicherheit von Fahrerassistenzsystemen sowie automatisierter und vernetzter Funktionen ist vom Automobilhersteller in jeder denkbaren Verkehrssituation sicherzustellen.  Im Entwicklungs- und Absicherungsprozess ist dazu eine erhebliche Zahl  von Verkehrssituationen, sog. Szenarien, abzuprüfen.  Dieser umfangreiche Prüfumfang lässt sich in Zukunft nur noch durch den massiven Einsatz von Computersimulation sinnvoll bewältigen. Um in diesen Simulationen eine entsprechende Validität und Praxisrelevanz zu erzeugen, müssen Modelle des eigenen Fahrzeugs, der Strecken und –Umgebung sowie des umgebenden Verkehrs adäquat modelliert werden.

  Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit soll eine Methodik zur Absicherung von Systemen und Funktionen des automatisierten und vernetzten Fahrens mittels Computersimulation auf virtuellen Streckenmodellen konzipiert und prototypisch entwickelt werden. Aspekte, die dabei Berücksichtigung finden sollen, sind Qualitätsanforderungen an das Streckenmodell hinsichtlich unterschiedlicher Sensor- und Reglerfunktionen, erforderliche Parameter/Dimensionen für die darzustellenden (Verkehrs-)Szenarien, Klassifizierung der Ähnlichkeit/Genauigkeit von digitalen Zwillingen (Simulation und Versuchsfahrzeug) oder auch eine Validierungssystematik für solch ein virtuelles Umfeldmodell.
  Aufbauend auf die Anforderungen an die Simulation und den Spezifikationen an das virtuelle Streckenmodell soll ein systematisches und belastbares Verfahren zur simulationsbasierten Absicherung von automatisierten Fahrfunktion erarbeitet werden.

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• Hybrid Co-Simulation Framework

  (Own Funds)

  Term: since 2017-11-01
  Abstract

  Simulation is a decent method to study, evaluate, and validate upcoming technologies and algorithms. In order to generate realistic results, it is necessary to overcome different challenges. One of these challenges is the computational feasibility of holistic simulation scenarios, especially when it comes to large-scale setups. These scenarios may model a whole city or even an entire country. Besides performance problems, adequate modeling of real world scenarios often requires the combination of multiple simulation tools from different domains. This combination often requires the connection of different modeling paradigms. Other challenges tasks are the time synchronization of the different simulation tools and the data exchange between them.
  To solve these problems, a hybrid co-simulation framework is developed in this project. The Framework uses an implementation of High Level Architecture (HLA, IEEE1516) as a middleware and enables the dynamic composition of a simulation setup that matches current requirements. The composition takes place in two dimensions. In a vertical dimension, multi-level support empowers the simulation at different levels of detail, corresponding to the demands regarding performance, available data, or posed questions. In a horizontal dimension, the coupling of tools from different domains is enabled. The focus on extendability makes it possible to add any needed tools at a later point in time to the framework.
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• Holistic Three-Dimensional Simulation of Connected Mobility

  (Own Funds)

  Term: 2017-10-01 - 2022-09-30
  Abstract

  The possibilities and challenges of vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication (V2X communication) have been being researched for several years already. A popular means allowing for sufficient flexibility in the investigations whilst maintaining a relatively high level of detail is the simulation of such networks, which must take both the traffic as well as communication aspects into account. The simulation framework Veins developed at the chair has already proven to be a successful tool.

  Recently, there is a growing tendency going beyond simple communication between vehicles. Under the keyword connected mobility, researchers summarize communication between diverse road users as well as with infrastructure or buildings, as expected in the near future. In this context, road users can be conventional passenger cars and utility vehicles, but also autonomous vehicles and pedestrians or cyclists. Especially in metropolitan areas evolving into smart cities, complex traffic and communication scenarios will have to be managed frequently.

  In order to be able to investigate such situations already today, conventional V2X simulation has to be extended accordingly. On the one hand, the influence of various types of road users, e.g. pedestrians or autonomous vehicles, is to be considered. On the other hand, it is necessary to develop new channel models that can realistically depict the three-dimensional character of complex scenarios in modern smart cities with limited computational effort. To ensure correct results the new simulation models should be validated with the help of appropriate field tests. Furthermore, the computational effort of complex simulation scenarios is to be reduced with the help of AI and other suitable methods.

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• Simulation and Modelling of various 5G-Mechanisms within the context of connected mobility

  (Own Funds)

  Term: 2017-10-01 - 2022-08-31
  Abstract

  The networking of vehicles with other road users or the infrastructure (Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X)) is one of the key technologies for autonomous driving and smart cities. The WLAN standard IEEE 802.11p developed for this purpose has already been the focus of research for a decade. So far, however, this communication technology has not been able to establish itself as a communication standard in the automotive industry. One possible reason for this is the non-existent stationary infrastructure (base stations at the roadside or at traffic lights), which would require high investments.

  Many automobile manufacturers are therefore focusing their research on the latest generation of mobile radio technologies. The required infrastructure is available nationwide due to other mobile phone subscribers. LTE has already adopted specifications for direct communication between vehicles and communication via a base station. The latest mobile radio generation (5G), which is to be introduced from 2020, takes into account application cases and criteria for V2X communication right from the start. For 5G, the virtualization of mobile radio components via network slicing in conjunction with SDN and NFV will play a decisive role in maintaining quality of service parameters compared to LTE and WLAN.

  For the simulation of V2X communication scenarios via WLAN IEEE 802.11p the Veins framework developed at the chair has been used in numerous studies. In order to evaluate comparisons between WLAN and mobile radio by simulation, a further development of Veins with the mobile radio technologies LTE/5G is of great interest. The focus here is in particular on questions of Quality of Service (QoS) and the planned V2X application cases. In the context of this doctoral thesis the Veins framework is extended to the 5G technology. The focus here is on mechanisms of the lower network layers and the planned network slicing and Quality of Service (QoS) approaches.

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• A Methodology to Provoke Near-Crash-Situations to Validate Automated Vehicle Functions

  (Non-FAU Project)

  Term: 2016-12-01 - 2020-05-31
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• ProHTA – Prospective Health Technology Assessment

  (Third Party Funds Group – Sub project)

  Overall project: Spitzencluster Medical Valley, Verbund Horizontale Innovationen
  Term: 2011-01-01 - 2015-03-31
  Funding source: BMBF / Spitzencluster
  Abstract

   

  The purpose of the "Prospective Health Technology Assessment Medical Valley EMN" (ProHTA) project is to set up a scientific service platform to assess innovative health technologies before they are launched on the market. ProHTA describes 1) The effect of new technologies and products on the quality and cost of healthcare; 2) Efficiency potential within the healthcare chain which can be leveraged with the aid of new technologies and products. Medical engineering is characterized by a high pace of innovation. It is therefore important for companies to understand in the early phase of the innovation process just what effect the introduction of technological innovations will have on the healthcare process, and what implications there are for the health system as a whole. ProHTA will pool and formalize knowledge on stakeholders, processes, effects and payments that is required for the prospective assessment and will also create simulation tools as a basis for more far-reaching analyses. By means of integration between technology and processes in modeled scenarios, it will be possible to show and assess the resulting effects on the individual stakeholders in the health system in terms of cost and benefit. Conclusions can then be reached regarding, for example, further development of innovations and the need for regulative adjustment (e.g. gaps in healthcare provision, payment situation, incentive mechanism) of the framework conditions in the health system.

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Organizations

ACM SIGSIM member

Programme Committee Memberships and Review Duties

SIMULTECH’2018 (8th International Conference on Simulation and Modeling Methodologies, Technologies and Applications, PC Member), Porto, Portugal

JOS’2017 (Journal of Simulation, Palgrave Macmillan, Reviewer)

EJOR’2017 (European Journal of Operational Research, Reviewer)

SIMULTECH’2017 (7th International Conference on Simulation and Modeling Methodologies, Technologies and Applications, PC Member), Madrid, Spain

WSC’2017 (Winter Simulation Conference 2017, PC Member of the Hybrid Simulation Track), Las Vegas, NV

HEALTHINFO’2017 (International Conference on Informatics and Assistive Technologies for Health-Care, Medical Support and Wellbeing, PC Member), Athens, Greece

EJOR’2016 (European Journal of Operational Research, Reviewer)

WSC’2016 (Winter Simulation Conference 2016, PC Member of the Hybrid Simulation Track and the Agent-Based Simulation track), Washington, D.C.

SIMULTECH’2016 (6th International Conference on Simulation and Modeling Methodologies, Technologies and Applications, PC Member), Lisbon, Portugal

HEALTHINFO’2016 (International Conference on Informatics and Assistive Technologies for Health-Care, Medical Support and Wellbeing, PC Member), Brussels, Belgium

ICCDMTA’2016 (International Conference on Cancer Diagnostic and Medical Treatment Approaches, PC Member), Rome, Italy

JOS’2015 (Journal of Simulation, Palgrave Macmillan, Reviewer)

WSC’2015 (Winter Simulation Conference 2015, PC Member of the Hybrid Simulation track and the Agent-Based Simulation track), Huntington Beach, CA

WSC’2014 (Winter Simulation Conference 2014, PC Member of the track on Big Data Simulation and Decision Making), Savannah, GA

EJOR’2014 (European Journal of Operational Research, Vol. 232, Issue 3, Reviewer)