Space Technology and Acoustics
The Research Group for Space and Acoustics has more than three decades of experience in the areas of space technology, telecommunication and acoustics. Key costumers include the European Space Agency ESA, NASA, industry, network operators and public agencies.
The Research Group develops customised communication system solutions from concept to prototype. A special focus is placed on interactive satellite terminals based on software radio technology (with applications in business communications, telemedicine, airborne platforms for disaster management) and special radio measurement systems (monitoring systems for satellite network operators).
The Research Group has internationally acknowledged expertise in radiowave propagation (up to 50 GHz) and data analysis for satellite communication and navigation. This expertise results in high-level products (e.g. the “Video Distrometer” precipitation gauge and wave propagation measurement systems) that are being manufactured and marketed worldwide in cooperation with Styrian industry partners.
A highly specialised team is involved in the design, development and implementation of scientific experiments for space missions. This includes space-qualified hardware and software, mechanical components and ground support equipment. The flagship project of the space activities is the Miller-Urey experiment for the international space station ISS.
The Intelligent Acoustic Solutions team develops systems for acoustic monitoring, vibration and audio & multimedia applications from idea to functional prototype. The team has key expertise in data acquisition and management, sensor and measurement technology, digital signal processing including artificial intelligence methods and algorithms as well as software architecture and development for real-time systems. The AKUT acoustic tunnel monitoring system developed by the team has received numerous awards and is already in pilot operation.
Research is supported by extensive infrastructure (several satellite ground stations, a satellite and radio channel simulator, a radar station at the Hilmwarte site, an acoustics laboratory as well as sophisticated measurement equipment for high-frequency and signal processing). The Research Group also has unique facilities for carrying out qualification tests in accordance with space agency specifications (shaker table, thermal and vacuum chamber, clean room), which are also available for reliability testing of electronic and mechanical components for customers from industry and research.