Non-profit research institute for automation, metrology and contactless power transmission with a PI test laboratory
ifak – Institut für Automation und Kommunikation e.V.
39106 Magdeburg · Werner-Heisenberg-Str. 1New on Amplifa
About ifak
ifak – Institut für Automation und Kommunikation e.V. was founded in 1991 from Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg and is an independent engineering research institute based in the Denkfabrik (think tank) building in Magdeburg's Science Port. It is a member of the German Industrial Research Association Konrad Zuse e.V. (Zuse Association) and the first affiliated institute of Otto von Guericke University. More than 50 scientists handle projects with a total annual volume of around €6 million, ranging from feasibility studies to multi-year research projects funded at national and EU level. The applied research covers the business areas ICT & Automation as well as Metrology & Power Electronics with application focus on Water & Energy and Traffic & Assistance. In technology transfer, ifak develops contactless power and data transmission systems, measurement and test systems, electronics and simulation software (including SIMBA#) from functional prototypes through pilot series to the product. Since 1998, the institute has operated a PI test laboratory audited by the PROFIBUS User Organisation for certification testing of field devices, with more than 300 completed certifications.
- Site
- Magdeburg
- Processes
- FDI Device Package test for PROFIBUS and PROFINET devices, Ethernet APL conformance test, PROFIBUS DP Tester and PROFIBUS PA Tester (conformity verification), Charging technology for electromobility up to 22 kW (contactless, according to IEC 61980, ISO 19363), Development of measurement methods and measurement and test systems (prototypes, pilot series,, Electronics development, Modelling and simulation (power electronics, magnetic components, EMC analysis), Signal analysis and processing
- Materials
- PI Test Laboratory, Contactless Power and Data Transmission, Simulation Software, Test Automation, EMC Analysis and Modelling
- Certificates
- PI test laboratory (audited by the PROFIBUS User Organisation (PNO)), PI test laboratory (audited by PNO), TÜV SÜD Rail contractual partner (PROFIsafe device test)
- Founded
- 1991
- Industries
- Automation technology, Water/wastewater, Energy, Traffic and mobility, Electromobility, Mechanical engineering
- 01
Market and feasibility research
- 02
Solution conception
- 03
Modelling and simulation
- 04
Prototype development
- 05
Testing and validation (test laboratory)
- 06
Pilot series to product
- 07
Technology transfer to cooperation partners
Research Areas and Methods
PI Test Laboratory
Test laboratory audited by the PROFIBUS User Organisation for certification testing of field devices with PROFINET RT/IRT/PA, PROFIBUS DP/PA, PROFIsafe, FDI Packages and Ethernet APL.
Contactless Power and Data Transmission
Development of transmission systems from a few watts to several kilowatts with air gaps from millimetres to decimetres, including inductive charging technology for electromobility up to 22 kW according to IEC 61980 and ISO 19363.
Simulation Software
Simulation platform developed since 1994 for water and wastewater systems as well as integrated planning tools with life cycle analysis.
Test Automation
Model-based testing with model synthesis, test generation and continuous integration (e.g. Jenkins, GitLab CI) for device and system development.
EMC Analysis and Modelling
Simulation of magnetic components and power electronics as well as systematic computer-aided design of contactless systems.
Location
Magdeburg
DEHeadquarters and research institute (Denkfabrik in the Science Port)
- Lot size
- Prototypes, pilot series
- PI test laboratory
- Industrial Radio Lab Magdeburg
- Test tools PROFIBUS DP Tester and PA Tester
Inside the production
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Testing | – | – | – | – | – |
| FDI Device Package test for PROFIBUS and PROFINET devicesTesting | – | – | – | – | – |
| Ethernet APL conformance testTesting | – | – | – | – | – |
| PROFIBUS DP Tester and PROFIBUS PA Tester (conformity verification)Testing | – | – | – | – | – |
| Engineering | – | – | – | Pilot series | – |
| Charging technology for electromobility up to 22 kW (contactless, according to IEC 61980, ISO 19363)Engineering | – | – | – | – | – |
| Development of measurement methods and measurement and test systems (prototypes, pilot series,Engineering | – | – | – | – | – |
| Electronics developmentEngineering | – | – | – | – | – |
| Modelling and simulation (power electronics, magnetic components, EMC analysis)Engineering | – | – | – | – | – |
| Signal analysis and processingEngineering | – | – | – | – | – |
| Development of acoustic sensors and actuatorsEngineering | – | – | – | – | – |
| Test automation services (model-based testing, continuous integration)Testing | – | – | – | – | – |
| Assessment and diagnostics of PROFINET installationsTesting | – | – | – | – | – |
| Assessment of radio solutions (industrial radio communication, WLAN, LoRaWAN, 5G, etc.)Testing | – | – | – | – | – |
| Engineering | – | – | – | – | – |
| Development of automation solutions and process controllers for wastewater treatment plantsEngineering | – | – | – | – | – |
| Process simulation and life cycle analysis for water and energy systems (SIMBA#)Engineering | – | – | – | – | – |
| Engineering | – | – | – | – | – |
| Testing | – | – | – | – | – |
Additional services
Reference customers
Testing and Certification
The PI test laboratory, which has been operated since 1998, is audited by the PROFIBUS User Organisation (PNO) and is a contractual partner laboratory of TÜV SÜD Rail for the PROFIsafe device test; successfully passed tests are a prerequisite for certificates from PI.
| Evidence | Magdeburg |
|---|---|
| PI test laboratory (audited by PNO) | |
| TÜV SÜD Rail contractual partner (PROFIsafe device test) |
History
- 1991
Founding of ifak from Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg
- 1994
Start of development of the SIMBA simulation platform
- 1998
Operation of the test laboratory audited by the PNO
- 2007
Founding of the cooperation partner KONTENDA GmbH based on the ifak company network