The Department ensures operation of several professional laboratories that are briefly listed below:
Laboratory of industrial processes control (AB204):
The laboratory is oriented on development and simulation of algorithms for industrial processes control. The basic equipment consists of PCs, Siemens PLCs, extension modules for connecting sensors and actuators, modules for connecting remote inputs and outputs, visualisation panels, frequency converters, programming and configuration software. The interconnection of individual components and working positions is realised by industrial networks. Usage of this technology is strongly supported with real models of selected industrial processes.
Laboratory of safety critical control systems (AB205):
The laboratory is focused on development of safety-related control systems. The basic technological equipment consists of PCs and safety PLCs by Siemens with software support. Safety-related communication between programmable automata and cooperating devices is realised using the safety-related protocol PROFISAFE. For demonstration and experimental purposes the laboratory is also equipped with real interlocking and signalling safety-related systems by Scheidt&Bachmann (BUES2000, ZBS2000).
Laboratory of traffic processes control (AB206):
The laboratory is focused on the area of system identification, design and implementation of control algorithms for traffic and industrial systems. It is equipped with programmable logical automata by Bernecker + Rainer (B&R), safety PLCs, I/O modules, converters, traffic and industrial system models and specialised computers with various software tools, e.g. Automation Studio, Safe Designer, MATLAB, Simulink, Atmel Studio, etc.
Laboratory Betamont (AB314):
The laboratory provides a place for experimental works of PhD. students and students of bachelor and master programmes completing their qualification theses. Thus the laboratory is focused on development, customisation and realisation of experimental communication subsystems of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). The development heads towards display appliances functioning as dynamic traffic signs, information panels etc., mainly in the ITS infrastructure->Driver direction. The development enabled in the laboratory also includes applications of different communication standards, primarily intended for the car-to-car communication, car-to-infrastructure communication and for the mutual communication between ITS infrastructure objects. The laboratory was built within the projects: „Centre of excellence for intelligent transportation systems and services I and II“ and „New methods for measuring dynamic properties of motor vehicle and its interaction with roadway“ (in cooperation with the BETAMONT s.r.o. Zvolen company), having funding from the the operational programme Research and Development of the European Regional Development Funds.
Laboratory of information technologies (AB315):
The laboratory is oriented on information systems (databases, web technologies, virtualisation), computer networks (modelling, simulation, monitoring) and its safety (penetration testing, intrusion detection, firewalls, cryptanalysis, antimalware). The hardware equipment consists of Juniper IDP 75 – intrusion detection system; Fluke Networks Time Machine Express NTM – EX2 – network traffic monitoring device; wireless technologies. The software equipment consists of OPNET Modeler + Wireless Suite – network modelling, simulation and emulation environment; OPNET IT Guru Academic Edition – academic edition of environment; PRTG Paessler Network Monitor – network traffic monitoring tool.
Laboratory of experimental tasks (AB316):
The laboratory is intended for experimental works resulting form solved bachelor and master degree projects, and research projects including realisation of electronic devices.
Laboratory of automated control theory and signal processing (AB317):
The laboratory is aimed on testing of theoretical fundamentals from the theory of automatic control (both continuous and discrete systems), theory of information and signals and digital signal processing using own custom programs and the MATLAB tool with its specialised toolboxes (Simulink, Control Toolbox, Signal Processing Toolbox). It includes actual educational models by Humusoft CE 151 (ball on plane) with accessories (Extended Real Time Toolbox and Real Time Windows Target) and appliances by IMFsoft (motor rpm regulator, temperature regulation).
Joint laboratory of tunnel systems (AB318):
The laboratory serves for experimental works for bachelor, master and PhD. students by providing a joint laboratory of tunnel systems (JLTS) as a competence centre, which systematically cooperates on optimisation of equipment and permanent increasing of safety of tunnel systems in the Slovak and Czech Republics. The laboratory was built within the projects „Centre of excellence for intelligent transportation systems and services II” and “Transport telematics systems research centre“, having funding from the the operational programme Research and Development of the European Regional Development Funds. A part of the laboratory is intended to be used for research of methods for safety quantification of tunnel systems.
Laboratory of modelling and simulation (AB319):
The laboratory is aimed on education of specialised courses requiring support of software tools. It is mainly intended for modelling of functional properties of control systems (UML), reliability and safety attributes (CARE software tool), control procedures and control structures (Matlab and LabView environments). In case of need, it is available for other applications – design and work with database systems, expert systems (WinExsys Developer, Hugin Developer, Patterns&Predictions), machine learning (Rapid Miner Studio), multiagent systems (NetLogo), declarative programming languages (SWI-Prolog), etc. The laboratory includes technology utilised in objects protection (alarm systems, electric fire signalisation, camera surveillance systems). The laboratory can also be utilised for students’ individual works over their semester projects and qualification theses.
Laboratory of computer networks and secure communications (AB320):
The laboratory is focused on the area of LANs including wireless communication technologies. The technical equipment for computer networks includes basic PCs, structural cabling distributor, switches and routers 3com a Cisco, IEEE 802.11 wireless networks analyser. The technical equipment for industrial communication networks includes PROFIBUS and CAN protocol analysers.
Laboratory of microcomputers and robotics (AB321):
The laboratory is intended for research and development in the area of robotics and microcomputers. It is equipped with computers and programmable interfaces for ATMEL microcomputers and ABB industrial robots. It is an exact copy of real software controlling a production robot and enables realistic simulations with the use of real robotic programs and configuration files. The laboratory hosts the research of mobile sensor platform for robots navigation. The laboratory disposes of a CNC machine with B&R control system for the realization of bachelor and diploma works. The equipment also consists of 10 E-puck robots with Webots environment enabling testing of robotic swarm algorithms (technology obtained within the project again having financing from the European Regional Development Funds).
Note: In addition to laboratories mentioned above there are also available other specialized computer rooms equipped with unique software installations such as Mathematica®, OPNET® modeller, PTC® Windchill® Prediction, Visual Spar™ from Clockwork Solutions, BQR, Enterprise Architect, Altova® XMLspy, IBM Rational software Rhapsody®, etc.
