Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IISThe ALERT research project combines several key technologies to develop maintenance-free, energy-efficient wireless sensors for industrial applications.
At its core is the integration of intelligent data processing, innovative energy supply, and flexible communication technologies – all tailored to the demands of modern industrial environments.
Manager or Industrial engineer working and control robotic with industry factory and network connection automation robot arm by tablet. AI, Artificial intelligence.
© Adobe Stock / KPs Photography - stock.adobe.com
Technologies in the ALERT Project
Energy Harvesting
A central element of ALERT is energy harvesting, the process of generating energy from environmental sources. Specifically developed energy-harvesting modules use vibrations and acoustic waves to reliably power the sensor node. In combination with optimized power management ICs, even the smallest amounts of energy are efficiently stored and distributed.
Power Management ICs are microchips that control the energy flow within a system.
In the ALERT project, they ensure that even the smallest amounts of harvested energy are utilized as efficiently as possible.
Edge AI – Intelligence Directly at the Sensor
The Edge AI technology used in the project analyzes sensor data directly at the point of measurement. This approach significantly reduces data volume, makes data transmission more energy-efficient, and ensures minimal response times. A key focus is on on-device training, allowing the system to adapt to new operating conditions during use – without cloud connectivity or manual updates.
On-device training refers to the retraining of AI models directly on the sensor or device, without the need to transfer data to an external cloud.
This allows the model to continuously adapt and improve using new measurement data.
Advantages:
- Durability: The AI model remains up to date even when operating conditions change.
- Data efficiency: Large volumes of raw data do not need to be transmitted.
- Data security: Sensor data stays on-site and does not leave the facility.
Communication Technologies – Adaptive and Efficient
The adaptive communication module developed in ALERT can switch between broadband raw data transmission and energy-optimized event-based communication, depending on energy availability and application requirements. It supports various wireless technologies to ensure stable and efficient data transmission across different industrial environments.
Adaptive communication means that the sensor automatically switches between different wireless modes depending on its energy status or operating phase – for example, between data-intensive setup mode and energy-efficient normal operation.
The technologies developed within the ALERT project together form a modular toolkit for autonomous, reliable, and long-lasting wireless sensors.
This combination of Edge AI, energy harvesting, high-precision sensing, and adaptive communication opens up new possibilities for industrial applications – from predictive maintenance to complex control systems.
For more information about the specific use cases, please visit the Applications page.
For further details about the ALERT project, please contact:
Dr.-Ing. Peter Spies, Fraunhofer IIS, Group Leader Integrated Energy Supplies.