Networking and automation through innovative platform and IoT solutions
The efficient development, utilisation and management of IoT and platform solutions is crucial for the success of the digital transformation. The Internet of Things (IoT), innovative platform solutions and robust software systems for data and knowledge infrastructures are particularly important. By integrating IoT technologies into existing systems and using cloud and edge computing, companies and public institutions can optimise their processes, reduce costs and increase operational efficiency at the same time. It is important to strike a balance between user-centred requirements and regulatory requirements, especially in safety-critical and highly regulated sectors.
Much of fortiss' IoT activity is focused on data-oriented infrastructures in areas such as energy and manufacturing, which are not considered "critical" but include time-sensitive applications. These systems must not only be reliable against failures, but must also be able to react quickly to unexpected changes. The ability to react flexibly to new challenges is increasingly becoming an indispensable feature of modern digital infrastructures.
In the IoT engineering research focus area, fortiss develops flexible, software-based infrastructures that can adapt dynamically to changing requirements. This includes the integration of sensor, actuator, computing and communication capabilities in heterogeneous systems as well as the penetration of critical infrastructures. It is based on decentralised, resilient systems that offer transparent, data- and knowledge-based services to enable autonomous decision-making, authorisation and traceability in compliance with relevant regulations.
Another focus of IoT engineering is the continuous further development of data-orientated communication networks with low latency, high resilience and security. The needs-based provision of edge cloud computing resources is also one of the central tasks that are crucial for the optimisation and scalability of modern IoT infrastructures.
In the course of digital transformation, edge and hybrid cloud computing form the decisive technological foundations, as does the seamless orchestration of network and computing resources and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) across the entire spectrum from edge to cloud. These technologies make it possible to process and analyse data more efficiently while making the most of the advantages of both worlds - computing power on site (edge) and scalability in the cloud.
In the research field of IoT Engineering, the expertise from the competence areas of Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), Platform Engineering (PEng), and Architectures and Services for Critical Infrastructures (ASCI) is primarily combined to develop scientifically grounded methods and innovative open-source solutions. This interdisciplinary approach makes it possible to overcome the challenges of networked systems and utilise the potential of IoT technologies in application areas such as energy, manufacturing, agriculture, smart cities, space and health in a targeted manner.
Simple design and clear modelling for software simulation and integration
The Architectures and Services for Critical Infrastructures area of expertise is dedicated to analysing and developing scalable, stable and robust software architectures for distributed infrastructures. Complex systems can be digitally mapped, analysed and optimised using modelling, simulation and AI methods. The platforms used enable the description of interactions, application logic and physical models as well as the integration of real components. This makes it possible to design various regulation and control concepts, evaluate operational management and implement data-based networked services.
Developing the next generation of IIoT applications and services
The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) competence field focuses on the development of new communication and computing architectures that support next-generation IoT services in various areas.
To this end, IIoT focuses on the research and development of flexible and resilient cross-layer approaches for IoT infrastructures, including network architectures and protocols as well as edge computing and hybrid cloud solutions. Through the use of edge computing, real-time customisation and in-network computing, fortiss is setting new standards in IIoT development. These technologies make it possible to process data directly at the edge of the network, which both reduces latency times and increases the efficiency of data processing.
Especially by integrating 6G wireless technologies, these solutions can offer even higher data transfer rates and better network performance, which is crucial for the requirements of real-time applications. Thanks to these advanced solutions, applications in areas such as industrial production, smart logistics or the automotive industry, which rely on fast, reliable and scalable network infrastructures, benefit.
Pervasive, robust, and trustworthy platforms
The Platform Engineering competence field focuses on developing robust, flexible, and trustworthy software-based platforms that are essential for the digital transformation of businesses and public institutions. A key aspect of this competence field is the integration of semantic knowledge representations and verifiability mechanisms for transactions in IoT and platform solutions.
To achieve this, formal knowledge representation and interpretation techniques are used to model relevant knowledge and evaluate it while considering the resources available for problem-solving. This approach is further enhanced by methods of generative AI, which, in combination with model-based semantic technologies, enable flexible and resilient hybrid AI solutions.
In the smart factory, fortiss plays a key role in developing intelligent and semi-autonomous manufacturing solutions through platform engineering and the Industrial Internet of Things. Sensor-equipped machines collect real-time data, which is combined with formal knowledge models to predict maintenance needs, optimize workflows, and ensure product quality. The seamless integration of machines, employees, and supply chains enables agile, efficient, and future-proof production.
Public administrations benefit from the digital platforms and tools developed by fortiss to enhance resilience, flexibility, and collaboration. Adaptive architectures and integration solutions improve data exchange and interoperability, while AI optimizes routine tasks and decision-making. These approaches foster user-centric public services and enable data-driven, reliable governance—ensuring a modern, digital administration that remains efficient even in times of disruption.
The energy sector relies on fortiss solutions, such as digital twins and cross-sector platforms, which enable more efficient control, distribution, and storage of renewable energy. These technologies help increase the reliability and resilience of energy systems, optimize energy flows in buildings, and balance fluctuations. Fortiss particularly supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the precise monitoring and control of their energy flows, enabling them to make optimal use of innovations like dynamic tariffs.
The whitepaper provides insight into the field of Platform Engineering and demonstrates how to develop trustworthy platforms. Fortiss presents methods for knowledge representation, requirements matching, and traceability to support prototype development and informed decision-making.
Distributed ledger technologies (DLT) are generating significant interest, but the cryptocurrency hype makes it difficult to assess their value in non-coin-based applications. The whitepaper summarizes five years of academic and practical contributions and helps translate DLT architectures into business requirements.
The whitepaper describes the implementation of the MQTT Sparkplug protocol in the European Connected Factory Platform (EFPF). It highlights the secure communication infrastructure for Industry 4.0 applications, focusing on the publish-subscribe architecture and plug-and-play device discovery.
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The integration of network services within the GAIA-X initiative is essential to create a secure, interoperable data infrastructure for Europe. This whitepaper addresses challenges such as standardized interfaces, security, and data protection, and outlines an implementation framework.
This whitepaper provides an overview of semantic interoperability in the IIoT by fortiss. It highlights concepts for the automated integration of operational technology into IT, as well as the fortiss vision and the "IIoT Lab Brownfield device integration demonstrator."
![[Translate to English:] IoT Engineering](/fileadmin/user_upload/04_Forschung/fortiss-cluster-Iot-engineering.png)
