Fraunhofer ESK undertakes applied research focused on information and communication systems that are simultaneously secure, powerful, intelligent and simple to use. The vision of the Munich-based institute centers on the design of increasingly distributed, heterogeneous and dynamic communication systems and applications with the aim of making them manageable, easy to operate and secure. Many applications and services require self-organizing, end-to-end networking, whose methods and alternatives are explored by the Fraunhofer ESK researchers. The various research topics are bundled into and driven from the core area of self-organizing communication.

The Fraunhofer ESK, a member of the Fraunhofer research network, was created as a stand-alone institute in April 1999 and currently has around 55 employees. Prof. Dr. Rudi Knorr, director of the institute, also holds the Chair for Communications Technology at the University of Augsburg Department of Computer Science. This dual role ensures that the institute benefits from unfettered access to the university's research findings.

Areas of Expertise

The Fraunhofer ESK researchers are experts in a wide range of communication technology fields, from transmission technologies and protocols to intelligent applications. They possess special expertise in the area of adaptive communication systems. Because communication systems are increasingly implemented with software, the researchers established software methodology as an additional area of expertise.

The Adaptive Communication Systems area of expertise involves methods for self organization - from basic processes and systems concepts to innovative device and user interaction - as well as self-organizing networks for wired and wireless technologies. In the field of embedded systems platforms, Fraunhofer ESK develops concepts and solutions for systems software, middleware, management and assistance systems.

Software Methodology centers its activities on streamlining the development of high-quality software. This includes the model-based design of distributed and parallel self-organizing software, test methods for validating software quality as well as virtual integration. In the area of software product lines (SPL), the focus is on developing and implementing networked SPLs.

Business Units

The Fraunhofer ESK research expertise is applied by the Automotive, Enterprise & Carrier Communication and Industrial Communication business units, which target industries that rely heavily on the use of IT technologies. The institute works with a wide range of customers and partners in the automobile, telecommunication, production technology, automation and facilities management industries.

The Automotive business unit provides research and development services to vehicle manufacturers and their suppliers through three groups: Automotive Networks, Infotainment and Driver Assistance, and Model Driven Software. The researchers develop future automotive network architectures, middleware and access technologies for automobile networks as well as methods for car-to-X communication and consumer device integration.
This business unit also specializes in prototyping, software design methodologies, end-to-end test concepts and the early-stage validation of software specifications.

Within the Enterprise & Carrier Communication business unit, the Broadband Access group develops solutions for optimizing wired access networks, in particular DSL. The Fixed and Mobile Solutions and Mobile Applications groups support companies in the development and implementation of enterprise-wide communication infrastructures and mobile applications. This involves looking at current issues such as fixed mobile convergence and future issues such as platforms for interactive mobile services. The Software Development group conducts research into new and efficient test methods for distributed communication systems.

The newest business unit, Industrial Communication, focuses on two areas. The Industrial Networks group tracks issues such as bus technologies and networking, sensor network solutions and self-organization. The Software Architectures and Methods group is active in model-based software design, software testing and quality assurance as well as software in mechatronics systems.