Laboratories
Teaching and research activities take place in modern laboratories on our faculty campus. See what students are working on in the exercises.
Laboratory of Communication Systems for IoT
Within the laboratory, attention is focused on communication technologies for the Internet of Things (IoT). Students will get acquainted with wireless communication technologies Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT), LTE Cat-M1, LoRaWAN and Sigfox, i.e., Low-Power Wide-Area (LPWA) technologies. The aim of the laboratory exercises is to approach the issue of wireless transmissions within the smart infrastructure (SmartGrids) and industrial data transmissions (Industry 4.0). Attention is focused mainly on the optimization of data transmission and security, due to the limited parameters of individual LPWA technologies. As the laboratory is directly connected to the infrastructure of telecommunications operators, research activities related to the development of new communication units can be performed here, which will be parts of industrial equipments or equipments for measuring physical quantities in the future, i.e. electricity meters, water meters, gas meters. These devices are currently not capable of secure remote readings. With regard to the unique testing possibilities (when it is possible to use devices emulating parts of the operators' communication network), close cooperation is already underway on the development of new communication units, both with domestic and foreign partners.
Laboratory of Cyber Security
The laboratory is used for teaching and research activities focused on cyber security. Students can perform the tasks of the so-called ethical hacking using a virtualized infrastructure, practically try out the ways and consequences of attacking devices or services and then the possibility of protection, such as application firewalls. The laboratory contains equipment for stress testing, cyber attack generation and development on high-speed FPGA network cards. The laboratory serves as a basis for the so-called cyber-range, i.e. an arena for cyber training.
Laboratory of Wireless Sensor Networks
In the laboratory of wireless sensor networks, students can get acquainted with wireless technologies suitable for data transmission from sensors over short and medium distances, such as IEEE 805.15.4x and their connection to the Internet of Things or Industry 4.0 networks. Students can practically try out the implementation of various types of sensor networks together with the design of a suitable communication protocol and verification using spectrum analyzers. The laboratory is also dedicated to sensors and their principles.
Laboratory of the CISCO Academy
The laboratory teaches communication technologies for small and medium-sized networks based on CISCO facilities. There are a large number of network devices – switches, routers and firewalls. The devices are located in six data distributors. Students will practically try the physical assembly of different types of networks and the configuration of network elements. The laboratory also uses the Linux OS to teach network operating systems.
Laboratory of Security Technology
In the laboratory, students will practically test the setup and operation of modern security systems. Specifically, these are alarm security systems, electronic access control systems, video surveillance systems, electrical fire alarm systems, systems for protecting goods in shops and systems to protect against eavesdropping. Students can use the acquired knowledge to physically secure companies, organizations and households.
Laboratory of Electroacoustics and Studio Technology
In the laboratory, students will get acquainted with the elements of the electroacoustic sound chain from microphones through amplifiers and mixing consoles, effects and recording devices to headphones, speakers and speaker systems, including their use in sounding small and large spaces. The laboratory equipment includes several measuring systems for measuring electroacoustic and audio devices. The laboratory also includes a non-reflective (anechoic) room and a recording studio with a volume of 300 m3 consisting of a recording and directing room.
Laboratory of Data Transmission
In the data transmission laboratory, students have the opportunity to get acquainted in detail with a number of transmission technologies used to access the Internet. These are mainly VDSL 2 vplus and G.fast technologies, used for connection with the rate of up to 1 Gbit/s via telephone cables, DOCSIS technology, which is used by cable TV providers for access to the Internet, PLC transmission technology used for data transfer over power lines, fiber optic transmission technology GPON and others. The data transmission laboratory is also equipped with testers of these technologies, oscilloscopes and a spectrum analyzer, enabling detailed analysis and acquaintance with these transmission technologies.
Laboratory of Transmission Media and Optical Networks
The laboratory is focused on the practical verification of theoretical knowledge in the field of transmission media. Students will get acquainted with the development of transmission over metallic lines, coaxial cables, structured cabling to the latest transmissions over optical fibers. The laboratory is equipped for assembly and measurement of transmission quality, including possible failures on these media. The devices are optical fiber welders, attenuation meters, dispersion meters, cable finders. The laboratory houses an optical polygon suitable for testing and comparing devices from different manufacturers. In addition to teaching, a number of research projects are solved here, especially in the field of the use of optical fibers for sensors. For more information visit the UTKO OPTOLAB website.
