Dr. Thomas Zemen (Credit: AIT / Johannes Zinner)
The mobile networking of people, but also machines and physical objects (Internet of Things – IoT) is irresistibly advancing, and 5G technology is being rolled out globally. In order to ensure highly reliable communication for industrial control systems, robots, autonomous systems, etc. in the course of the digitisation of our society in the long term, further technological developments are required.
High resilience, top functionality, Security by Design and high energy efficiency according to established standards are imperative to ensure further networking. For this purpose, a new 6G research focus has been founded in the Center for Digital Safety & Security. The know-how outlined is the key to a competitive Austrian business location and a contribution to the European strategy of digital autonomy.
With the appointment of Thomas Zemen as Principal Scientist at the Center for Digital Safety & Security, AIT has entrusted an internationally recognized expert in the research field of future 5G- and 6G-based communication systems with the strengthened positioning of AIT in this worldwide future-critical research field.
Reliable wireless communication
In his research, Thomas Zemen focuses, among other things, on the interaction of the physical radio channel with other parts of a communication system. He is the author and co-author of four book chapters, 37 journal articles, more than 113 conference papers, and two patents in the field of wireless communications. Thomas Zemen teaches as an external lecturer at the Vienna University of Technology and was an editor at IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications from 2011 to 2017.
He has been working as a Senior Scientist at AIT since 2014, during which time he established the research group for reliable wireless communications. In 2017, he became Thematic Coordinator for the "Physical Layer Security" research area, which combines wireless communications, photonics, and quantum technologies.
Thomas Zemen studied electrical engineering/communications engineering at the Vienna University of Technology and graduated with honors in 1998. In 2004, he obtained his doctorate and in 2013 his habilitation – both at the Vienna University of Technology as well. From 1998 to 2003, Thomas Zemen worked for Siemens Austria. From 2003 to 2014, he worked at the FTW Research Center Telecommunications Vienna, where he headed the "Signal and Information Processing" department.
New applications enabled by 6G wireless communication systems
Modern 6G communication systems enable many technical systems to operate more safely, cost-effectively, reliably, and in a more environmentally-friendly manner. This includes industry and transport, where future safety-critical applications demand reliable wireless communication systems with low latency (maximum 100 microseconds delay) and high reliability (over 99.999%). 6G systems also reduce energy consumption and increase competitiveness - in line with the European Green Deal goals of improved resource efficiency and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Tomorrow’s production processes will require rapid and reliable interaction between robots, and between humans and robots. 6G communication systems will allow modern industrial companies to keep Austria competitive as a business location in a global context, and to support Austria’s digital autonomy.
Reliable real-time wireless communication links can also make a crucial contribution to supporting public transportation systems which in turn help reduce CO2 emissions. These cost-effective wireless communication links can be used to replace the expensive wired security systems used in today's rail transport. The new 6G communication systems can also make it feasible to run or revitalize previously non-operational branch lines, by supporting safe and autonomous train operation. This enhances public mobility in rural areas and reduces private motorised transport.
More information about the center: https://www.ait.ac.at/dss
Contact:
Michael W. Mürling
Marketing and Communications
AIT Austrian Institute of Technology
Center for Digital Safety & Security
T +43 664 235 17 47
michael.muerling(at)ait.ac.at I www.ait.ac.at