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EDI DIH

EDI in Riga, Latvia is a non-profit public research institute founded in 1960. Currently, EDI is specializing in the development of Smart Embedded Cooperative Systems (SECS) in the fields of health, mobility, production and space. As EDI is the highest-rated scientific institution in Latvia in the field of engineering and technologies, employing 90+ researchers, we have a unique perspective, expertise and capacity to contribute to solving global challenges.

Our mission is to perceive the world and design a better future by creating new knowledge, developing innovative technologies and demonstrating their practical significance in real life applications.

Our goal is to become an internationally recognized research organization and apply our SECS expertise in mobility, industry 4.0, health, digital life and space domains while working in the following research directions:

  • Extremely precise event timing incl. space domain
  • Remote sensing and space data processing
  • Robotics and machine perception
  • Signal processing and embedded intelligence
  • Smart sensors and IoT

Our objectives to achieve the goal are in line with the challenges and ambitions of the Republic of Latvia and EU development policies, (e.g., the creation of innovative solutions for the digitalization of industry to increase its competitiveness; enhancement of data-based digital life knowledge to ensure the well-being of society; development and transfer of innovative ICT technologies to provide growth of the knowledge-intensive economy, etc.). More here.

As we saw that our competencies and developed technologies could be exploited by companies (especially manufacturing companies), in the year 2017, EDI applied and was accepted to be included in the Digital Innovation Hubs (DIH) – Smart Specialisation Platform with the name of “EDI DIH”. This was a defining moment for EDI because since then EDI has been (or still is) involved in 6 DIH initiatives – EDI DIH, two Horizon 2020 projects (TRINITY DIH and DIH-World), SCoDIHNet and 2 European DIHs. Mostly, it is thanks to our expertise and available state-of-the-art research and testing infrastructure (incl., various Testbeds, prototyping tools, high-performance computer servers, design and simulation tools, measurements equipment, etc. (see more here)). All this has allowed us to help dozens of companies to develop new or transform existing technologies, products and services as well as to increase productivity and quality, reduce costs, establish new markets, etc.

EDI DIH provided services

The table below specifies the typical service offering of the EDI DIH. The services which involve human work usually cost between 40 – 100 €/h (incl. overhead), + other direct costs such as materials, components, modules, travel expenses (if applicable), etc. depending on the specific case. On top of that, if applicable, there might be some costs related to the use of specific intellectual property rights (IPR), but this is specified during negotiation with a client, as costs for the use of specific IPRs has great variation starting from a few hundred euros up to tens or hundreds of thousands of euros. As for the access to infrastructure (state-of-the-art R&D and testing equipment), the price depends on the book value of specific infrastructure items and individual calculations based on specifically designed procedures. The price typically varies from 100-1000 €/week (incl. space and utilities).

Table: Typical service offering of the EDI DIH

TEST BEFORE INVEST
Strategic support to Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) (e.g., mentoring, consultations).
Contract research (e.g., specific R&D (mostly TRL3-6), technology concept formulation, PoC systems).
Technical support on scale up (e.g., prototyping, concept validation).
Testing and validation (e.g., testing HW for shock, vibration, temperature and humidity variations, etc.).
Provision of infrastructure (e.g., access to state-of-the-art R&D and testing equipment and infrastructure).
Test EDI technologies before invest (e.g., test EDI technology modules on your application before licensing).
SUPPORT TO FIND INVESTMENT
Support to find appropriate funding programs (e.g., consultation about various funding mechanisms, instruments and programs, suggestion of most appropriate, requirements for participation, etc.)
Strategic and business development (e.g., consultation on how to improve technological processes and where to invest, technology maturity assessment, etc.)
Support facilities and accelerator support (e.g., access to basic infrastructures and house offering, access to infrastructure and technological platforms)
INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM AND NETWORKING
Ecosystem scouting, engagement and management (e.g., Trend watching, Technology and third-party scouting, Ecosystem mapping, Ecosystem management, Networking, events and initiatives…)
Ecosystem coordination for projects (e.g., identification of opportunities, creating consortia, development of proposals…)
SKILLS AND TRAINING
Training (e.g., executive courses, lectures, on-site company tailored training / boot-camps, e-learning)

EDI DIH infrastructure

EDI has a unique state-of-the-art infrastructure to support local and international SMEs. For example, EDI has a 100+ node heterogeneous sensor network and wireless network testbed distributed around a 7-floor building for validation and research in sensor network protocols & wireless network protocols. Additionally, 50 mobile nodes are available on site for on-site deployments (e.g. in customers’ factories). Besides, EDI has WSN hardware prototyping test bench EDImote developed with flexibility of prototyping, performance monitoring, and hardware and software debug assistance in mind (enabling fast prototyping for virtually any hardware). Also, high-performance workstations for computation, signal processing, visualization, and design (Matlab, Simulink, Labview, Quartus, Tanner Tools Pro, etc.) are available for use. PCB designing and simulation tools Altium Designer and fast prototyping systems (LPKF ProtoMat-S62, LPKF MiniContac-RS, Xytronic-IR620 Preheater, Unox thermal equipment) for multilayer PCB design. Laboratory equipment: Spectrum analyzers up to 20GHz (e.g. ROHDE&SCHWARZ-FSU8), Arbitrary waveform signal generators (e.g. Agilent-N6031A), Digital oscilloscopes up to 50GHz (e.g. 25GSPS Tektronix DPO70604). Mixed signal oscilloscopes (e.g. Tektronix MSO4104, Tektronix MSO4032). Portable spectrum analyzers and oscilloscopes, etc. Last but not least, EDI has High-Performance Computer (HPC) with dozens of Nvidia GPUs; a Vibration and shock test platform, a climate test chamber, a Professional IR/Thermal camera, a Professional 3D printer, an automated-driving car platform, etc. More details are here.

Market sectors

  • Agriculture, hunting and forestry
  • Manufacturing
  • Construction
  • Transport, storage and communication
  • Space
  • Education
  • Health and social work
  • Other markets

TRL Focus

  • TRL2 – Technology concept and/or application formulated
  • TRL3 – Analytical and experimental critical function and/or characteristic proof of concept
  • TRL4 – Component and/or breadboard validation in a laboratory environment
  • TRL5 – Component and/or breadboard validation in a relevant environment
  • TRL6 – System/subsystem model or prototype demonstration in a relevant environment
  • TRL7 – System prototype demonstration in an operational environment

Service Examples

AI/ML/NN tools for rapid development of vision based robotic systems
Goal: Automation of industrial processes involving large number of objects with unpredictable positions/locations.

Description: A lot of industrial processes involve operation with large number of different objects. It is hard to automate these kinds of processes because sometimes it is impossible to predetermine the positions for these objects (For example when objects are distributed chaotically in some container). To overcome this issue, we integrate 3D and 2D computer vision solutions with robotic systems for object detection, localisation and classification. In experiments we are using Microsoft Kinect V2 depth sensor for 2D and 3D information acquisition. For object detection and classification, we are developing algorithms based on artificial neural networks. One of the challenges for artificial neural network-based methods is the need for large amount of labelled data. We are exploring methods how to generate this kind of data procedurally, to allow generation of such data for various objects a lot faster with reduced amount of manual work allowing faster adaption of this method for different scenarios. Contribution to increased agility in production: Provided algorithms and methods, which are based on artificial neural networks, will allow to generate labelled data for various objects a lot faster with reduced amount of manual work allowing faster adaption of system which is capable of randomly dropped object detection, recognition, classification and pick-up by a robotic arm for different scenarios. More details: https://projects.tuni.fi/trinity/

Large scale (100 node) EDI WSN TestBed
EDI Wireless Sensor Network TestBed is a 100+ node heterogeneous sensor network and wireless sensor network testbed (distributed around 7 floor building (inside & outside)) for validation and research in sensor network & wireless network protocols. Additionally, 50 mobile nodes are available on site.They can be used for example in-vehicle placement. Capabilities: testing of IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/p, IEEE 802.15.4 and other protocols (depends on WSN node); Fully reconfigurable routers; Remote reprogramming of the whole network; Energy measuring and remote debugging capabilities for the sensor nodes through a custom adapter; Control and management through either OMF or, alternatively, a simple webbased interface.

Super-stable impulse generator producing extremely low jitter
Impulse generator with extremely high stability and wide frequency range. It is implemented in two modifications: supporting NIM signal output and supporting LVTTL signal output (therefore it is possible to use them together with Event timers). Generator period stability in range up to 25000 ns is smaller than 1 ps (RMS). For wider ranges the reference signal is needed. Generator applications include measurement system testing (e.g. Event timers), calibration etc.

Universal Event timer producing extremely high measurement resolution
Together with Eventech Ltd the Event timer is developed capable to measure single pulse within 3 ps resolution (RMS) and maximum measuring rate up to 20 MHz. The various modifications of the timer are available (with increased measuring rate but lowered resolution). Event timers are used in SLR (Sattelite Laser Ranging) systems and have potential in LIDAR, 3-D scan, Laser Link communication systems.

SIKA – Research on development of mathematical model for silicon crystal growing technological process by using image processing methods
Client: KEPP EU (Silicon Metallurgy)

Client needs: To explore importance of the silicon crystal growing process mathematical model modifiable parameters and stability of the crystal diameter, using an image processing technique by measuring the diameter of the silicon crystal and the electron beam gun power.

Provided solution: Designed silicon crystal growing process mathematical model, based on the established image processing algorithm performing silicon crystal ingot diameter measurement. More details: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HOTtb6l3J8

Operating system MansOS and configuration tool Seals for embedded systems
EDI has expertise in development of operating systems and software for embedded systems. MansOS & Seals have been developed specially for low-power and computationally weak devices. The operating system can be modified depending on specific requirements and needs (including adaptation for Wireless Sensor Networks). Potential applications are data acquisition and gathering from environment, industrial process monitoring etc. More details: http://mansos.edi.lv.

UWB receiver producing high sensitivity
UWB (Ultra Wide Band) receiver producing sensitivity 15mkV (RMS). In comparison the Geozondas UWB receivers provide sensitivity about 75mkV (RMS) under the same conditions. It can be used for weak signal measurements in many industrial and science applications. As well it can be used for UWB radar applications (object localization, search of underground communications etc).

Additional information

On January 1st, 2019, EDI started its first DIH project – H2020 IA project “Digital Technologies, Advanced Robotics and increased Cyber-security for Agile Production in Future European Manufacturing Ecosystems” (TRINITY)  (16 partners from 10 countries with an overall budget of ~25mEUR) which aim to create a network of multidisciplinary and synergistic local digital innovation hubs (DIHs) composed of research centres, companies, and university groups that cover a wide range of topics that can contribute to agile production: advanced robotics as the driving force and digital tools, data privacy and cyber security technologies to support the introduction of advanced robotic systems in the production processes. This was a game-changing step, as it ensured dedicated funding and a team for further development of EDI DIH. Dr. Kaspars Ozols as a project leader from the EDI side together with a team of researchers were (are) able to create dedicated descriptions of the technology / technology modules, “how to use” training materials and workshops, establish a network, publish our offering in a dedicated home page / catalogue, work on a business plan, organize calls for funding for SMEs and actually help them to adopt the proposed technology, etc. In this particular project, the governance is project-based and collaboration with companies are mostly established through the organized open calls.

On July 1st, 2020, EDI started its second DIH project – H2020 IA project “DIH-World – Accelerating deployment and matureness of DIHs for the benefit of Digitisation of European SMEs” (DIH-world) (41 partners from 26 countries with an overall budget of ~8mEUR), aims to accelerate the uptake of advanced digital technologies by European manufacturing SMEs in all sectors and support them in building sustainable competitive advantages and reaching global markets strengthening the capacities of regional DIHs, particularly in underrepresented regions across Europe. As in this project EDI DIH has a relatively small budget only one person (Dr. Kaspars Ozols) with part time load is participating with an ambition to raise awareness about EDI DIH, developed sustainable business plan and network, accelerate our services, connecting to the DIH catalogue, deliver workshops, support SMEs in digitalization, etc.

In the year 2021, EDI together with dedicated teams submitted two national applications for European DIHs (E-DDIH), which both were accepted by national authorities, and it is planned to submit full project proposals for European Commission. If successful, we expect this to be the second big step in the evolution of EDI DIH as we truly care about the technologies and their exploitation by companies to strengthen their (and also EU) competitiveness, help to transform their products and services, open new business opportunities, enable new innovations, increase the quality and flexibility of products and services, optimize production processes and reduces costs, empower employees, etc. To achieve that, EDI voluntarily participate in various industrial association, cluster and network activities, mentor start-ups, participate in educational process, and consult companies with respect to technologies. We plan to continue and even extend our activities to achieve above mentioned and E-DIH will provide an opportunity to attract additional dedicated human resources to extend our operation even further.

Over the past year, EDI has commercialized 5 technologies (sold or licensed IPR) to companies and next year we plan to commercialize at least 5 more. This is thanks to the dedication of the EDI research teams, their creativity, openness to embrace industry driven challenges, flexibility, and wiliness to facilitate innovations.

EDI will exploit its network of more than 400 international partners and especially large enterprises as well as small and medium enterprises to support their R&D activities.

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