90741: Engineer computer science, electrail engineering, mechanical engineering or similar (f/m/x) - Design of digital electronics for communication and signal processing in robotic systems

Area of research:

Scientific / postdoctoral posts,Sonstiges

Job description:

The Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics develops robots that enable people to interact with the environment more effectively, efficiently and safely. The robots are designed to work in environments that are inaccessible or dangerous for humans, but also to support and relieve people at work and in everyday life. For this purpose, the institute employs a variety of electronic components such as FPGAs and system-on-chips. These components are used to implement the communication infrastructure for sensors and between robots and control computers, and serving various other purposes in system implementation.

The design of such applications on FPGAs and system-on-chips requires sound knowledge of electrical engineering and the hardware description language VHDL, as well as knowledge of a variety of communication interfaces such as SPI, I²C, UART, SpaceWire, EtherCAT. In this context, in addition to firmware development on FPGAs, the development of corresponding electronic components for our experimental robot systems is a core task. This includes the conception, design and implementation of customized electronic solutions to further optimize the performance and functionality of our robotic systems.

All developments are focused on the overall robotic system and the components required for this: sensors to perceive the environment, the communication infrastructure to transport data securely and reliably and the actuators to move the robot safely. Future robots will require new approaches and concepts for processing sensor data, communication and control.

The main focus of the work is as follows:

• conception and realization of the communication infrastructure in innovative lightweight robots, e.g. the connection of sensors and actuators or the communication between control computer and robot joints
• design of firmware for FPGAs and system-on-chip FPGAs
• hardware description with VHDL for modules for communication, control and signal processing
• design and realization of system-on-chip and FPGA circuits, taking into account mechatronic system aspects
• design, analysis, optimization and troubleshooting of electronic systems and components
• selecting suitable measuring equipment and operating it for commissioning, analyzing and troubleshooting electronic components in compliance with relevant standards
• documentation of the firmware and hardware developed
• publication of the results in relevant specialist journals and conferences

This research center is part of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers. With more than 42,000 employees and an annual budget of over € 5 billion, the Helmholtz Association is Germany's largest scientific organisation.