Projects / Programmes
ICT4QoL - Information and Communications Technologies for Quality of Life
January 1, 2019
- December 31, 2027
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 2.08.00 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Telecommunications |
|
| 2.09.00 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Electronic components and technologies |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| T180 |
Technological sciences |
Telecommunication engineering |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 2.02 |
Engineering and Technology |
Electrical engineering, Electronic engineering, Information engineering |
circuits optimization, reliable transmission, integration of optical and microwave technology, digital health, emergency communications, privacy, Internet of Things, wearable sensors, motion monitoring, biomechanical feedback, human-machine interaction, autonomous vehicles
Data for the last 5 years (citations for the last 10 years) on
April 24, 2024;
A3 for period
2018-2022
| Database |
Linked records |
Citations |
Pure citations |
Average pure citations |
| WoS |
598 |
6,419 |
5,774 |
9.66 |
| Scopus |
946 |
9,952 |
8,889 |
9.4 |
Researchers (37)
Organisations (1)
Abstract
The primary goal of the research program is to explore the possibilities of using information and communication technologies (ICT) in providing individuals and society as a whole better quality of life (QoL). In this context, the research will take place in the entire vertical sector, from the optimization of electronic circuits (wearable sensors, embedded systems) and reliable transmission paths (fiber optics, wireless transmission) to the design of systems and services that directly or indirectly affect QoL.
In the field of electronic circuits, we will focus on procedures for optimizing circuit topology and generating algorithms to reduce energy consumption and to extend the device's autonomy. With the help of grammatical evolution, we will search for topologies of energy efficient circuits and algorithms. In automation of circuits and algorithms design, we will use deep neural networks.
Reliable communication infrastructure is very important for the use of ICT in ensuring better QoL. The last meters of the transmission path to the user's multifunctional terminal represent a bottleneck in efficiency. We will concentrate on reducing latency, increasing bandwidth, and reliability of transmission by modern solutions of convergence of radio and optical networks. We will research possibilities for additional integration of optical and microwave technologies.
In addition to reliable transmission paths, reliable communication networks are needed to connect a number of sensors and actuators in the Internet of Things (IoT). We will focus on the research of the 5th generation (5G) communication networks that will be adapted to different vertical sectors, especially in the areas of digital health and emergency communications, as well as on the research of IoT technologies for support to operations and field interventions. Here cybersecurity and privacy are of paramount importance. Thus much of the research will be devoted to this goal.
Additionally, we will develop distributed environments which will enable the creation of innovative products and services. With the use of ICT, we will extend the independency of the elderly, while the elements of social intelligence will reduce the burden of modern interconnectivity and enable widespread use of smart homes.
Real-time biomechanical feedback, which employs wearable sensors for its operation, can help improving QoL in many areas of sport, recreation, and rehabilitation. In this regard appropriate and user-friendly human-machine interaction (HMI) is essential, therefore we will devote particular attention to it, especially in the field of innovative design of user interfaces for contemporary and the next generation of vehicles with semi-autonomous and autonomous features.
All research will be carried out in cooperation with many partners in the academic sphere, industry and the public sector.
Significance for science
The area where the most hardware development of ICT system takes place is in the field of integrated circuit design. An increasingly important requirement is the low power consumption and thus a prolonged autonomy of mobile devices. To fully automate the design process, two components are needed: automation of the circuit dimensioning (determination of parameter parameters) and automation of the circuit topology synthesis. In particular, the latter is not mature yetand offers many research opportunities.
Similar procedures can also be used to generate algorithms, whereby we intend to focus on the speed of the algorithm, which is also directly reflected in the energy consumption of a mobile device and thus its autonomy time.
Optimization methods can also be used to teach deep neural networks, which represent one of the fastest developing areas of artificial intelligence. Efficient processes for learning deep neural networks allow the latter to be used on mobile devices, and in the process of circuits and algorithms design to reduce energy consumption.
Research on the convergence of the optical and radio network represents one of the major challenges. The significant research potentials of photon technologies, which are now widely used for efficient data transmission, have also been directed towards the implementation of the functionality that is currently performed in the electric domain. The research will be carried out in the direction of increasing the functionality of photon technology, which covers the wider frequency band as the radio technology, and is also more energy efficient due to lower attenuation of signals in transmission. We expect scientific contributions in efficient disruptions filtering, optical sampling of microwave signals, reduced phase noise, lower jitter, directional antennae and reduced latency. The research of integration of microwave and photon technology into unified integrated circuits will be faced with the proper selection of suitable materials, manufacturing processes, and functionalities required for increasing of QoL.
The fifth generation (5G) of communication technologies and services represents one of the most current scientific, research, and development fields. The 5G brings new communication capabilities which, in addition to improved transmission speed and inherent distributive architecture, include virtualization of the network that in turn allows simultaneous use of physical infrastructure in different sectors. In addition to the technological capabilities, scientific challenges include aspects of adequately controlled and flexible sharing of virtualized communication infrastructure and network services. New sharing models must be developed to adapt the operation of the 5G infrastructure to the specific requirements of individual sectors, primarily for provisioning of communication services for the needs of emergency services with the possibility of providing distributed infrastructure in a case of major disasters on the commercial network.
In the era of increasingly intensive computerization and networking of our everyday activities, the aspect of service planning and applications is becoming one of the key areas in ICT, as it represents the interface between technologies and users. The use of ICT to raise QoL is particularly vital in digital health, critical communications, and support for emergency services. Research challenges interweave innovative ways of using sensors and technologies of IoT for the needs of building user-friendly and non-deprecating support services. In both areas, we expect scientific advances in innovative modal interactions to support the next generation of user-oriented services and user-friendly and non-intrusive user interfaces.
The development of new technologies in the field of miniature sensors, low-cost microelectronic circuits, and dense sensor networks creates new possibilities for the research of biomechanical feedback systems.
Research work on digi
Significance for the country
Enhancing the quality of life (QoL) of all citizens is the primary task of each society and the primary goal of socio-economic processes. Research in the scope of the proposed research program will seek to contribute to this goal as much as possible. On the one hand, we will contribute to the competitiveness of our industry, thereby increasing employability and, on the other hand, we will develop services that directly improve QoL.
The design of integrated circuits is an industry that does not require as high investments as their productions. In this area, we can be competitive through better design tools, which lead to circuits with lower energy consumption and mobile devices with a prolonged autonomy.
Automation in the development of algorithms is an area that is still in its infancy. This is another activity that does not require expensive equipment. However, it represents a potential direction in which software development will continue in the future. It also enables optimization of algorithms with regard to execution time, thereby reducing energy consumption and extending mobile device's autonomy. The latter is a significant competitive advantage for companies involved in the development and production of mobile devices.
Artificial intelligence systems based on deep neural networks are becoming increasingly common in everyday use. They are already used by companies like Google and Facebook. Artificial intelligence based on deep neural networks can also be integrated into processes of circuits and algorithms development for lower energy consumption in mobile devices. By developing efficient learning processes, we can reduce the energy consumption of the neural network learning process, and thus increase the chances of using neural networks in mobile devices that require low energy consumption.
The integration of photonic and microwave technologies will result in physical reduction of communication devices, lower energy consumption, increased efficiency and reliability, reduction of non-ionized radiation in the living space and more efficient use of frequencies in the millimeter range. Development of communication interfaces will enable further development of the information society and their physically reduced dimensions will significantly contribute to the overall preservation of cultural heritage, the preservation of nature and the protection of the environment. The integration of microwave and photon technology into combined integrated circuits has been intensifying in recent years and the commercial breakthrough is expected. Slovenia should not miss out this opportunity if it wants to continue to maintain an economic role in the field of ICT.
The introduction of 5G technologies and services into the industrial sectors is inevitable and is one of the key strategic development areas for Slovenia. It will open up opportunities for innovation and thus a unique business presence in global markets. Research in the field of specialized ICT solutions for individual vertical sectors and the offer of user-oriented applications contribute to differentiation and raise the competitive advantage, and bring the opportunity to create new market niches. Also, planned activities in the field of innovative use of ICT technologies to support digital health and emergency communications carry important social components as they contribute to building a new generation of ecosystems of a healthy and secure society, which are two key components of QoL.
An important activity within the program will be to reduce the digital divide with regard to accessibility of services and the use of services for individuals, businesses, and households. We see this decrease as a natural step in the development of (tele)communications and broader ICT in the future. Personalized services and multimodal processing of user information will also be integrated into innovative learning applications at all levels of education. We will contribute to the development of
Most important scientific results
Interim report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Interim report
