- INVEST IN YOUR FUTURE, STUDY AT FERIT
The Autocom study programme is absolutely applicable to the growing need of the automotive industry labour market. The automotive industry is very high demanding and we, GlobalLogic, together with our industry partners, have continuously been following the future trends and technologies of the growing automotive industry.
GlobalLogic has achieved a tremendous global growth over the years in the field of global product engineering. Additionally, Croatia meets all the prerequisites for success and is expected to achieve it. We have very strong project potentials, especially in the field of automotive industry, and the only missing ingredient are competent engineers educated at FERIT.
AUTOCOM study programme is developed in cooperation with partner companies in order to provide students with knowledge and skills required to succeed on the global market. Furthermore, through AUTOCOM the Faculty plans to advance its visibility and competitiveness in science and research as well, and in doing so, students have a very important role.
However, we know that it is not always easy to leave your home country and start a study abroad. Thus, all our students, and especially the students from abroad, can count on full support of the Faculty if they have any questions or problems during the study. Of course, we hope that our cooperation will continue after the study as well, when you start and develop your career in automotive industry!
Continuous collaboration with the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Information Technology Osijek is a great opportunity to offer our expertise in the field of electrical engineering and computer engineering in directing and employing young talents. By participating in the design and implementation of the Automotive Computing and Communications program we want to encourage young professionals to study these special areas of engineering. Rimac Development Office in Osijek has been established with the aim of encouraging talent retention Croatia, engaging them in the work on some of the most interesting
projects in the industry. We believe that Osijek has great potential for further development as a technology hub.
Rimac Automobili are pioneers in electric drivetrain technology, and given the demanding projects for the partners in the industry as well as our own projects, we have the ever-growing need for recruiting engineers. In addition to our continued support in the education of young engineers through transfer of know-how and technology, we see FERIT as a long-term strategic partner with whom we want to set new standards for R&D in the automotive industry.
The basics of AUTOSAR: concepts, architecture, methodology, building elements (RTE-Runtime Environment, BSW-Basic Program Support, SWC-Programming Support Components, VFB-Virtual Functional Bus), migration modes. AUTOSAR-practical considerations: operating systems, software components, communication, handling input/output, handling states, system services and memory, diagnostics. Basics of safe automotive software development, with an emphasis on ISO 26262 and basic requirements (safety management, concept development, system development).
Introduction to ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems). Characteristics of digital image and video. Advanced algorithms for real-time and video processing used in autonomous vehicles. Image processing: compression processes, image enhancement methods, edge detection, object detection, classification and recognition, scene segmentation, optical character recognition. Video – video standards, 3D scene reconstruction, time tracking of objects, stereovision, pedestrians detection using cameras. Camera systems in vehicles. Camera mirror replacement.
Analogue television systems. Component and composite video signal digitization. Time and space correlation. Motion estimation and compensation, calculation of motion vectors. Texture encoding. Entropy coding. Application of MPEG-2, H.264 / AVC and H.265 standards in digital television. Video quality evaluation. Overview of standards for digital television. DVB-T: source and channel encoding, modulation, single-frequency network. Organization of program and transport streams. MPEG-2 transport stream, signaling information, and organization of the audio, video, and data stream delivery to the receiver. Architecture of DTV receiver hardware and software. Content protection, conditional access to content through DVB-CSA, DVB-CI and CI + standards. Architecture of hardware and software support of a conditional access system.
Depends on the topic of the thesis.
Computer architecture and organisation. Microprocessor. 8-bit microprocessor architecture. Intel microprocessor family. State diagram and usage in design. Instruction set. Addressing modes. Instruction formats. Microinstructions and register transfer languages (RTL). Hardware description languages (VHDL). Microprocessor design. Simple CPU design. Single bus microprocessor design. Two and three buses design. Design verification. Microprocessor control unit design. Microsequencer. Microinstructions and nanoinstructions.
Computer arithmetic. Fixed point arithmetic. Floating-point arithmetic. Memory system organisation. Cache memory. Virtual memory. Input/output unit organisation. Programmed input/output. Interrupt system. Direct memory access. Input/output processors. RISC architecture. Instruction set. Pipelining. CISC architecture. Parallel processing. Parallelism in uniprocessor system. Multiprocessor architecture. Communication in multiprocessor system. Memory hierarchy. Operating system. Alternative parallel architectures.
Introduction to basic principles and challenges in intelligent transport systems. Intelligent roads and traffic infrastructure. Overview of new technologies built into vehicles (architecture, embedded systems, operating systems, communication devices). Autonomous driverless vehicles. Information dissemination in VANETs (applications, concepts). Safety of communication, vehicles and pedestrians. Algorithms and protocols for efficient information dissemination among vehicles. Simulation of traffic and communication between vehicles and infrastructure using Omnet ++, Veins and SUMO simulators. Processing obtained results and performance evaluation.
Introduction to the Linux kernel. Kernel source code. Configuring, compiling and booting of the Linux kernel. Linux kernel modules. Memory management and access to the hardware. Character device drivers. Processes, scheduling, queuing, interrupt handling and locking. Debugging techniques of the Linux kernel. Device driver kernel architecture. Details of Linux kernel booting. Customise the Linux kernel for target platforms. Power management.
Concepts/objectives of automotive software testing and diagnostics. Special cases of automotive software testing (types, environments, modules, flows, etc.). Methods for testing automotive ECU – SIL&HIL, modelling (XML+HTML, for ODX), simulation/emulation. Diagnostics – details and parameters, data mining. Equipment calibration – online/offline Laboratory exercises: CANape+XCP+Data mining, CANoe+CANalayser+CAPL for FLEXRAY/CAN, additional specific software
Tasks of software and its features. Development, debugging and testing of software. C language elements: the size and representation of the basic data types; variables and their representation within the given architecture; memory assignment mechanisms; functions; indicators; structures, unions and address alignment; code compilation. Version control systems. C programming language extensions, special extensions in some C compilers.
Fundamental principles of object-oriented programming, differences compared to procedural programming. Program languages C# and Python. Concept classes and objects. Variables and methods as part of an object. Class properties and their access. Basic procedures for creating and destroying an object. Object lifetime. Polymorphism, list of diverse objects and virtual functions. Inheritance. Accessing class properties: private, protected and public. Operator overloading. Function and class templates. Exception handling. Templates. Threading and multi-threaded applications. Events. Creating applications with a graphical user interface.
Organisation of a quality assurance programme. Process quality management. Software crisis. Standardisation processes of software quality assurance. The cost of software quality. Static and dynamic analysis applied to quality assurance. Software reliability. Automotive software architecture and design. Software verification and validation in automotive industry. Automotive software management. Automotive software development and practice.
Basics of vehicle dynamics, physics of motion and needs for energy and power. Basic vehicle drive components, topology of drives (classic, electric, hybrid), basic modelling of energy and power flows based on dynamic vehicle parameters at different driving regimes. Basics of electric drive machines, operating principles, parameters and modes of operation, and basics of modelling. Typical vehicles and energy storage systems in a vehicle.
Power electronic energy converters for connecting the vehicle’s loads and energy storage system. External charging systems for electric vehicles. Battery management systems in electric vehicles. Actuators and sensors in vehicle drives, wiring systems, relays and contactors for different voltage levels.
Distribution of renewable energy sources and their special features when connecting to a power grid and/or loads. Topology of power electronic converters (PECs) for connecting wind turbines, photovoltaic modules (strings) and fuel cells to power grids and/or vehicles and vehicle systems. Modulation techniques for converter conversion PEC components in order to optimise the harmonic power content and/or load voltage as well as the harmonic content of the power supply or a power supply system in the vehicle.
Hybrid power generation systems. Hybrid electric vehicles, drive modelling techniques for carrying out the analysis and synthesis of work, power flows, integration and design of drives. HEV subdivision and subsystems. Analysis of the operating mode of the vehicle with respect to a driving mode of the vehicle. Power flows and system losses. Define basic energy storage management systems – batteries, super capacitors and hybrid systems.
Projects and project-oriented business (notion, concept and key features of a project, fundamental differentiation of projects, project life cycle). Concept and context of project management. Project management development strategy (project management development phases, project management strategy development). Designing a project management organisation (designing a one-off project management organisation, designing a project management organisation, organising and developing a project management system).
Strategic dimension of project management (initiation and activation of project implementation, logistics planning and organisation of project realisation, evaluation and conclusion of project implementation). Operational dimension of project management (project integration management, project organisation management, realisation of primary project objectives, project management control and management project changes, project management development perspectives).
Communication network architecture. Network hardware., LAN, MAN, WAN, wireless networks. Error control and flow management in a computer network. Congestion control in a computer network. Computer network design. Computer network optimisation. Protocols and protocols architecture. Phases of communication protocol design. Tools for analyses and synthesis of communication protocols. The characteristics of a computer network in automotive industry (reliability, determinisms, efficiency, rate, security, user requirements dependence on component characteristics and their critical level).
The main protocols and bus protocols used in automotive industry (basic information and studying practical protocols and bus technologies: CAN / CAN-FD, LIN, FlexRay, NAJ, BroadR doseg, deterministic Ethernet, detailed comparison of protocols and typical usage). Advanced topics: communication between two or more vehicles and communication between a vehicle and infrastructure.
Basic concepts in computer science. Architecture and organisation of microprocessors, microcontrollers and digital signal processors. Characteristic features and specifics of embedded computing systems. Structure and incorporation of embedded computing systems. Hardware development equipment. Design of printed circuit boards. Software development equipment. Reliability and security of embedded systems. Testing, verifying and validating embedded systems. Applications of embedded systems. Application in intelligent measurement processes. Application in process management. Application in monitoring, acquisition and data distribution.
Fundamental security terms and premises. Fundamental principles of modern cryptography. Symmetric cryptosystems and their applications. Block cipher operating modes. Asymmetric cryptosystems and their applications. Cryptographic hash functions. Digital signature. Cryptographic key management. Security threats and risks in vehicular information systems.
Types of attacks on vehicular information systems and possible countermeasures. Security protocols for wired and wireless communication standards used in vehicular networks. IEEE 1609 security standards. Privacy issues in vehicular networks. Mechanisms for secure positioning of vehicles. Cross-layer security approach, from system boot to intervehicular communication.
Introduction to machine learning. Unsupervised, supervised learning and reinforcement learning. Parametric and nonparametric methods. Regression and classification methods. Model complexity. Model selection. Results evaluation. Different methods / algorithms of supervised machine learning: linear regression, neural networks, support vector machines, decision trees, random forests. Data clustering, dimensionality reduction and feature extraction. Kalman filter and Bayesian estimation. Anomaly detection. The basics of deep learning.
Architectures and deep learning algorithms. Different types of deep neural networks. Convolution Neural Networks. Different applications of machine and deep learning in intelligent transport systems: fusion of sensor inputs, segmentation, detection and classification of objects (signs, lines, pedestrians, etc) in the image, motion planning, learning with and without the driver, local autonomous vehicle control, centralised and distributed control of networked vehicles. Work with development tools that support machine learning and deep learning. Implementation of machine learning algorithms on the target platform.
As an IT company operating in Croatia since 2010, we have been facing the challenges of the market for many years.
What I can say is that faculties generally need to be more proactive about the needs of the labour market in our IT sector. This can only be achieved through cooperation with the business and industry sector that will help them understand the current and future needs of the industry according to which they will adapt their activities and study programmes. This is the only way in which faculties may link the needs of the industry sector, which has a growing demand for young engineering graduates, and young engineering graduates they place on the labour market.
The fact is that we are currently facing a deficit of IT engineers in the international labour market.
The IT industry has been showing positive shifts for some time, and current capacities can hardly meet the needs of the IT industry.
There are some activities that should be carried out by the faculties.
First of all, a model should be found, in which a greater number of our local high school students will be motivated to enrol in engineering faculties. We are aware of the fact that this is very difficult because the whole education system should be harmonised and should work on this issue from primary to secondary school and faculties will not be able to have much influence.
Another activity is to adapt the study programme to attract and enrol international students.
We are in touch with several important engineering faculties and we have to say that the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Information Technology has been addressing this issue well and we are very happy that we have been and will be able to support the Faculty in this regard.
We have supported the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Information Technology in these activities because we believe that this is the right course and that this study programme will increase student enrolment, which will consequently bring many benefits to the IT industry.
I believe this study programme is an ideal example of how the academic community should cooperate with the industry and the real sector that show an increasing demand for engineers.
We would like to thank the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Information Technology for ideas, energy, good will, and time, as well as their openness towards us from the industry and their understanding of our needs.
I have chosen this study programme, because it seemed interesting to me and because during the presentation of the study programme it was said to be based on practical applications which will prepare us for work after we graduate. After finishing the first year, I am very satisfied with the programme and acquired knowledge. Considering this is the first time the programme runs, I am happy with the materials teachers prepared for us. Laboratory exercises in some courses were not carried out according to the schedule, i.e. we did not manage to do all the planned laboratory exercises. However, I believe this is normal because the programme runs for the first time and all the professors and assistants put a lot of effort into solving the problems and they listen to our suggestions. All the professors and assistants have taken the new courses seriously and put a lot of effort into preparing the materials.
I am a scholar of a partner company where I am working on my Master’s thesis. The company is involved in the area I am interested in and we deal with during our lectures and exercises. I believe this will help me once I start to work. I am especially happy how approachable the CEO is. Also, the mentors are very dedicated to proposing Master’s thesis topics and arranging regular meetings with all scholars in order to be on track during the preparation of Master’s theses. We also have co-mentors from the company who will help us preparing our Master’s theses.
After I earn my degree, I am obligated to work in the company for the amount of time I received the scholarship. However, I can imagine myself in the same company after that period, because they deal with technologies I am interested in. Also, the company has a very good reputation in terms of human relations and other activities.
I have opted for this graduate study programme because I think that at this point of our education we should specialize in a specific area of computer science. Also, the automotive industry as an area is booming, which leaves a lot of space for development since software is embedded into almost everything.
So far, I have been very satisfied with the study programme despite the fact that there were minor confusions and obstacles that had to be overcome because the programme was carried out for the first time; however, this is something I expected and all uncertainties have been solved in the meantime. Professors and assistants are very helpful and good at conveying their knowledge to us. The courses are designed to cover several areas of computer science in automotive industry, but there are also two courses from the power engineering point of view where we acquire knowledge in motor drives and power flows, which complements the whole programme.
I have been undergoing professional training in one of the partner companies whose scholarship I have received for the second year. I am extremely pleased with the company’s relationship to me, the possibilities they offer and knowledge I have acquired so far and will continue to acquire during the training and writing of my Master’s thesis in cooperation with the company.
My vision of my future work place has not been clear so far, because there is a plethora of possibilities and different design directions and software development in the automotive industry. I am personally mostly interested in autonomous driving, algorithm development for autonomy, video processing and object detection support. I hope my career will develop in this direction.
Automotive companies in the world compete to develop an autonomous driving system based on the most sophisticated computers and sensors, hence a huge demand for automotive computing engineers. The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Information Technology has recognised this need and we are particularly pleased, based on more than 20 years of our presence in the global automotive market, to be actively involved in the design and implementation of a new study programme.
AutoCom started its implementation in the Croatian language in 2017, and here are some honest impressions of students attending the class of 2017/2018. Since this is the first generation of students to attend the new study programme, we believe to have grounds for satisfaction, and we will strive to upgrade the study programme in Croatian as well as in English whose implementation will start in 2019.
From the very beginning of our cooperation, the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Information Technology Osijek has proven to be a reliable partner.
The cooperation has resulted in the implementation of the study programme in Automotive Computing and Communications,
which, in our opinion, is a perfect example of the cooperation between the academic community and industry.
Like the Faculty could have counted on us in defining the study programme, the Faculty and its students can count on our support in carrying out the study programme.
I believe that the study programme in Automotive Computing and Communications is perfectly adjusted to the industry needs.
It provides a great example of how quick changes to the study programme and fruitful cooperation with industry partners can result in a contemporary and appealing product which is of interest to students.
I believe students will recognise the advantages of the programme and opt for this perspective engineering branch.
A combination of information technologies and knowledge in power systems and drives is extremely sought and big companies go to great lengths to find experts who will meet their needs.
As a constituent unit of the international company AVL GmbH with the headquarters in Graz, we are familiar with the market needs and we believe that this study programme will educate engineers who will find desired and high-paying jobs.