The closing date for this job submission has passed.

Job Description

Similarly to radar, ToF imaging systems are active systems, requiring the emission of modulated radiation to sense the scene. Differently from radar, the radiation is in the optical range (e.g., NIR) and usually no appropriate opportunity illuminators used to exist in the scene within this wavelength range. The situation has changed in the last years due to the introduction of modulated light sources, such as high-frequency electrodeless discharge bulbs and LiFi lamps. LiFi lamps exploit the high modulation bandwidth of LEDs for converting indoor illumination points into optical WiFi access points. The core idea is to conceive and develop a passive ToF 3D imaging system that builds upon previous experience on bistatic radar (e.g., the HITCHHIKER) and takes profit of existing LiFi or similar infrastructure as opportunity illuminators. A compressive sensing formulation of the 3D reconstruction problem should contemplate the sparsity or smoothness of the scene responses.
The successful candidate will be employed for a maximum period of three years full-time equivalent and receives a generous financial package plus an additional mobility and family allowance according to the rules for Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) in an EU Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions Innovative Training Networks (ITN). A career development plan will be prepared for each fellow in accordance with his/her supervisor and will include training, planned secondments and outreach activities in partner institutions of the network. The ESR fellows are supposed to complete their PhD thesis by the end of the 3rd year of their employment. For more information please visit the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions Innovative Training Networks website.

YOUR TASKS
Evaluation of the possibilities and limitations of using light-based wireless communications infrastructure as illumination source for ToF imaging. The main opportunities and challenges for implementing this novel idea are to be analyzed.
Accurate modeling of the expected bistatic setups and extensive simulations are to be carried out to demonstrate the validity of the approach.
At the light of the simulation results, one or more hardware designs for implementing the idea are to be studied, in order to select the optimal one.
A prototype of the selected hardware is to be constructed. The ESR will have access to CiTIUS and pmdtec ToF technology.
The performance of the prototype as 3D imaging system is to be evaluated, both when using existing LiFi lamps as illumination system and in conventional operation, using its own illumination system, for comparison purposes.
Different operation modes are to be contemplated, e.g., from fully external operation, with no control over the LiFi light signal, to full control of the light signal. The system performance is to be evaluated in each operation mode. In the fully-controlled case different modulation schemes are to be considered (noise sequences, chirps, etc.).

PROFILE
Master of Science in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Technology, Electrical Engineering Technology, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Physics, Industrial Engineering, Information Technologies or related fields.
ESRs must demonstrate that their ability to understand and express themselves in both written and spoken English is sufficiently high for them to derive the full benefit from the network training. Non-native English speakers are required to provide evidence of English language competency (TOEFL, …).
Knowledge and experience on scientific programming languages, e.g., Matlab, Python, C, C++, etc.
Some basic knowledge on signal processing and Time-of-Flight imaging.
Knowledge on compressive sensing would be an advantage.

PLANNED SECONDMENTS
Depending on the ESR’s approach regarding basic ToF technology to be implemented in the sensor, one of the following two secondments is envisaged:
CiTIUS, Santiago de Compostela, Spain, 6 months, joint-design of the ToF sensing core of the sensor
Alternatively: pmdtec, Siegen, Germany, 6 months, joint-design of the ToF sensing core of the sensor.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Contact and further Information
https://www.uni-siegen.de/zess

Job Information

Contact
email redacted
Related URL
https://www.menelaos-nt.eu/...
Institution
ZESS – Center for Sensor Systems, University of Siegen
Location
Paul-Bonatz-Straße, 57076 Siegen, Germany
Closing Date
May 31, 2020