LIST, technology research for software-intensive systems

The LIST is focusing its research work on three types of software-based systems:
- Interactive Systems
- Embedded Systems
- Sensors and Signal Processing

Interactive Systems

Man-machine interaction, which is central to the intelligent systems of tomorrow, is becoming
omnipresent in both private and corporate life (new modes of design and production etc.).

This corresponds to "ambient intelligence" and multi-mode interaction, enabling a closer relationship between the user and the system.
This is why interactivity, which is fundamental to the user-data-environment trio, is a key factor in major research programs throughout the world.

Here, the issues are:
- User-friendliness and ease of use of interfaces that are ever more intelligent and transparent, to   address future societal needs.

- The extension of human capacity in an increasingly complex environment, by:

     - control that is increasingly effective (supervision) and precise (modeling) of real systems (robots) and virtual ones (simulation);

     - a better understanding of actual environments by greater embedded cognitive power and intelligence;

     - more natural communication with the user, employing all the user's senses and adapting to any disabilities;

     - standards-based miniaturization and fabrication to increase the uptake of the systems and reduce their cost.


LIST research and development work in this field is focusing on three areas:
- Knowledge engineering
- Robotics
- Virtual reality and sensorial interfaces

Embedded Systems

Embedded systems are encountered ever more frequently in our environment (power grids, automobiles, mobile phones, trains, planes etc.).
These interconnected, communicating systems contain applications that handle data in ever greater amounts and at higher and higher rates, and technology breakthroughts are needed to develop not only commercial but also general public applications.


Here the issues are:
- Mastering of the complexity of applications.
- Dependability of software and host systems.
- Reduction of product development time.
- Real-time processing of ever greater amounts of data.
- Robust hardware and software architectures capable of meeting demanding environmental constraints.
- Intelligent, self-contained sensors (still and moving images).

LIST research and development work in this field is focusing on three areas:
- On-board system architecture and design
- Software tools
- Intelligent vision systems

Sensors and Signal Processing

Sensors and Signal Processing is an essential aspect of digital systems as it takes place at the interface with the physical world. Miniaturization and ambient intelligence require innovative technologies for the sensors and the associated signal processing. Using its experience, the LIST has concentrated its efforts on sensors using diamond technology, optical fibers, ultrasound and eddy currents. It has pursued a research program to identify new methods of measurement and simulation to develop applications in fields as varied as transport, nuclear engineering and health.

The issues in this field are:
- Transportability and reduction of the cost of instrumentation.
- Increased performance of instrumentation by modeling and digital processing.
- Sophisticated processing of data for health and safety using digital technology.
- Non-destructive testing of industrial products where a high degree of confidence is called for.

LIST research and development work in this field is focusing on three areas:
- Ionizing radiation metrology and instrumentation
- Optical fibers
- Non-destructive testing