Full-time study

4 years

prof. Ing. Pavel Václavek, Ph.D.

Chairman :
prof. Ing. Pavel Václavek, Ph.D.
Councillor internal :
doc. Ing. Zdeněk Bradáč, Ph.D.
prof. Ing. Pavel Jura, CSc.
doc. Ing. Petr Beneš, Ph.D.
doc. RNDr. Zdeněk Šmarda, CSc.
Councillor external :
prof. Ing. Pavel Ripka, CSc.
Prof. Ing. Roman Prokop, CSc.
doc. Ing. Eduard Janeček, CSc.
prof. Dr. Ing. Alexandr Štefek, Dr.
prof. Ing. Tomáš Vyhlídal, Ph.D.

The doctor study programme "Cybernetics, Control and Measurements" is devoted to the preparation of the high quality scientific and research specialists in various branches of control technology, measurement techniques, automatic systems, robotics, artificial intelligence and computer vision.
The aim is to provide the doctor education in all these particular branches to students educated in university magister study, to make deeper their theoretical knowledge, to give them also requisite special knowledge and practical skills and to teach them methods of scientific work.
Through a systematic and comprehensive view of management and measurement, graduates of the study program successfully apply to key management and managerial positions and functions in which they use system view, knowledge of system analysis and optimal management.

Graduate of doctoral studies is profiled to independent creative work and critical thinking based on the systemic view of both technical and non-technical systems and the world as a whole. The graduate program is equipped with the necessary knowledge of mathematics, physics, electrical engineering, theory and practice of control and regulation, measuring techniques, robotics, artificial intelligence, image processing and other fields of applied electrical engineering and informatics. One of the characteristic features of graduates is the ability to integrate a broad spectrum of knowledge and to create functional technical as well as organizational and economic systems.
All graduates of the doctoral program Cybernetics, Automation and Measurement demonstrate during their studies:
• mathematical, physical and electrotechnical principles relevant to measurement and control;
• electronic measuring systems, embedded systems, communication systems, control theory, automatic control systems and artificial intelligence;
• design and operation of electrotechnical, electronic, measuring, control and communication systems.
The graduates are well versed in modern technologies (Industry 4.0, Artificial Intelligence, Signal Processing, Computer Vision, Advanced Management Methods, Industrial Measurement and Control Systems, Mobile and Stationary Robotics, Communication Systems, Functional and System Security).
The graduates are trained to find the work in technical practice, creative work, research and development, production, management and managerial positions in technical or business firms and companies at the highest qualification levels.

Graduates will apply in particular:
- in research, development and design teams,
- in the field of professional activity in production or business organizations,
- in the academic sphere and in other institutions involved in science, research, development and innovation,
- in all areas of the company where cybernetic systems or cybernetic principles are being applied
Our graduates are particularly experienced in the analysis, design, creation or management of complex measurement or control systems, as well as in the programming, integration, support, maintenance or sale of these systems.

Doctoral studies are carried out according to the individual study plan, which is prepared by the supervisor in the beginning of the study in cooperation with the doctoral student. The individual curriculum specifies all the duties determined in accordance with the BUT Study and Examination Rules, which the doctoral student must fulfill to successfully finish his studies. These responsibilities are time-bound throughout the study period, they are scored and fixed at fixed deadlines.
Students will write and perform tests of obligatory subjects (Selected Chapters of Control Engineering, Selected Chapters of Measurement Techniques and Exam in English before the state doctoral examination), at least two compulsory elective courses in view of the focus of his dissertation, at least two optional subjects (English for PhD students; Quoting in Scientific Practice; Resolving Innovation Assignments; Scientific Publishing from A to Z).
The student may enroll for the state doctoral exam only after all the tests prescribed by his / her individual study plan have been completed. Before the state doctoral exam, the student draws up a dissertation thesis describing in detail the aims of the thesis, a thorough evaluation of the state of knowledge in the area of ​​the dissertation solved, or the characteristics of the methods it intends to apply in the solution.
The defense of the controversy that is opposed is part of the state doctoral exam. In the next part of the exam, the student must demonstrate deep theoretical and practical knowledge in the field of electrical engineering, control technology, cybernetics and measuring techniques. The state doctoral examination is in oral form and, in addition to the discussion on the dissertation thesis, it also consists of thematic areas related to compulsory and compulsory elective subjects.
To defend the dissertation, the student reports after the state doctoral examination and after fulfilling conditions for termination, such as participation in teaching, scientific and professional activity (creative activity) and at least a monthly study or work placement at a foreign institution or participation in an international creative project. The studies are finished by successful defence of the dissertation thesis.

The doctoral studies of a student follow the Individual Study Plan (ISP), which is defined by the supervisor and the student at the beginning of the study period. The ISP is obligatory for the student, and specifies all duties being consistent with the Study and Examination Rules of BUT, which the student must successfully fulfill by the end of the study period. The duties are distributed throughout the whole study period, scored by credits/points and checked in defined dates. The current point evaluation of all activities of the student is summarized in the “Total point rating of doctoral student” document and is part of the ISP. At the beginning of the next study year the supervisor highlights eventual changes in ISP. By October, 15 of each study year the student submits the printed and signed ISP to Science Department of the faculty to check and archive.
Within the first four semesters the student passes the exams of compulsory, optional-specialized and/or optional-general courses to fulfill the score limit in Study area, and concurrently the student significantly deals with the study and analysis of the knowledge specific for the field defined by the dissertation thesis theme and also continuously deals with publishing these observations and own results. In the follow-up semesters the student focuses already more to the research and development that is linked to the dissertation thesis topic and to publishing the reached results and compilation of the dissertation thesis.
By the end of the second year of studies the student passes the Doctor State Exam, where the student proves the wide overview and deep knowledge in the field linked to the dissertation thesis topic. The student must apply for this exam by April, 30 in the second year of studies. Before the Doctor State Exam the student must successfully pass the exam from English language course.
In the third and fourth year of studies the student deals with the required research activities, publishes the reached results and compiles the dissertation thesis. As part of the study duties is also completing a study period at an abroad institution or participation on an international research project with results being published or presented in abroad or another form of direct participation of the student on an international cooperation activity, which must be proved by the date of submitting the dissertation thesis.
By the end of the winter term in the fourth year of study the students submit the elaborated dissertation thesis to the supervisor, who scores this elaborate. The final dissertation thesis is expected to be submitted by the student by the end of the fourth year of studies.
In full-time study form, during the study period the student is obliged to pass a pedagogical practice, i.e. participate in the education process. The participation of the student in the pedagogical activities is part of his/her research preparations. By the pedagogical practice the student gains experience in passing the knowledge and improves the presentation skills. The pedagogical practice load (exercises, laboratories, project supervision etc.) of the student is specified by the head of the department based on the agreement with the student’s supervisor. The duty of pedagogical practice does not apply to students-payers and combined study program students. The involvement of the student in the education process within the pedagogical practice is confirmed by the supervisor in the Information System of the university.

1. Adaptive machine learning for image classification

   The research topic is about methods of adaptive or reinforcement machine learning in an object classification tasks. Such object is only defined implicitly by means of extremely limited data set. An example of such task can be visual quality inspection of a product, whose parameters are not explicitly defined and other product’s variations or deviation can appear (e.g. texture or material analysis). Topic includes to build a production ready high accuracy model of anomaly detector, data augmentation, hyper-parameters optimization and transfer learning analysis.

   Tutor: Horák Karel, Ing., Ph.D.

2. Advanced methods and optic structures for signal processing in interferometric fiber optic sensors

   The topic is focused on research and development of advanced methods and optical structures for signal processing in fiber-optic sensors based on interferometric principles. Research work focuses mainly on the characterization of known fiber structures for all-fiber sensors of mechanical motion and definition of a methodology for achieving required metrological parameters, minimizing essential parasitic effects and ensuring sufficient reciprocity. Further, the methods of signal processing in open and closed loop will be studied with respect to achievable parameters and complexity of the solution. Research activities will also focus on analogue solutions for electrical signal processing, which will reduce the need for demanding, difficult to certify, digital processing. The topic will be solved in connection with national and international applied research projects in the field of design of fiber optic sensors for inertial navigation systems.

   Tutor: Havránek Zdeněk, Ing., Ph.D.

3. Application of piezoelectric MEMS structures for ultrasonic measurements

   The topic is focused on research in the field of piezoelectric MEMS structures and related methods for signal processing in the ultrasonic field useful for measurement of acoustic emission signals generated by structural changes (damage) in materials for their real-time diagnostics and also for measurement of ultrasonic signals transmitted by free space. The limitation of conventional piezoelectric sensors, which are currently most frequently used, is the complexity of implementation of broadband sensitive elements and their dimensions. Research will be focused on design, simulation, optimization and characterization of such MEMS structures, which will provide sensing and analysis of ultrasonic signals in a wider frequency range, as well as research of methods for signal processing with respect to optimization of dimensions and energy consumption of the whole sensor. The possibility of defining the required sensor parameters in the design phase ensures the subsequent high application potential in technical diagnostics as well as in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. The research will be carried out in connection with solved and planned national and international projects.

   Tutor: Havránek Zdeněk, Ing., Ph.D.

4. Data fusion based analysis of human operator

   The research topic is focused on research in modeling and mathematical description of human operator behavior using data fusion. In particular, the research will include methods for data collection, data fusion and subsequent analysis of complex data obtained by real measurements performed on the vehicle driving simulator, with the assumption of the use and fusion of one-dimensional and multidimensional signals. The aim of the thesis is to design, implement and test the methodology for assessing the current state of the human operator, the research is also focused on the identification of negative factors influencing human behavior and the degrading ability to control the vehicle.

   Tutor: Fiedler Petr, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

5. Devices and methods of hyperspectral image analysis

   The research topic is about specific panchromatic sensors and algorithms used for hyperspectral image analysis in an industry domain. It is a very different workflow to process hyperspectral image in comparison to traditional one, because in addition to the spatial dimensions x and y it also contains spectral, non-continuous (scattered), dimension lambda. It results to the process of a calibration, normalization, correction, spectral and spatial dimensionality reduction, spectral library building and feature extraction and selection. Application domains are usually about food and pharmacy industries.

   Tutor: Horák Karel, Ing., Ph.D.

6. Localization of sound and vibration sources with non-contact methods

   The topic is aimed to the research of the methods and algorithms for non-contact localization and characterization of sound and vibration sources. Issues related especially with analysis of the sources with near-field acoustic holography method using microphone array will be studied with respect to its applicability for localization in confined space with reflections and other noise sources and also to increase the prediction accuracy with data fusion from other spatial measurement systems. In addition to the theoretical work, practical implementation of these methods and optimization of acoustical holography algorithms for use in the field of non-contact vibrodiagnostics and localization of noise sources in mechanical systems will be carried out.

   Tutor: Havránek Zdeněk, Ing., Ph.D.

7. Methods for characterization of acoustic sources in the ultrasonic frequency range

   The topic is focused on research of measurement methods and instrumentation for analysis of radiation characteristics of acoustic sources at high frequencies up to the area of ultrasound. In particular, non-contact measurement methods using optical principles and those that affect the measured acoustic field as little as possible will be studied. One of the most promising approaches of measurement is based on acousto-optical effect and tomographic reconstruction of the acoustic field using Radon transformation. The research will focus on the identification of practical limitations of these methods, the possibility of suppression of the parasitic effects during measurement and comparison of these methods with methods using direct measurements of acoustic quantities. Methods will be also practically implemented and evaluated for their applicability in measuring the radiation characteristics of ultrasonic sources. The topic will be solved in connection with national and international projects.

   Tutor: Havránek Zdeněk, Ing., Ph.D.

8. Methods for the measurement of mechanical shock

   The topic is aimed on measurement and generation of mechanical shocks - calibration of shock sensors and calibration of artificial sources of mechanical shocks. The aim of the thesis is to analyze the parasitic influences that affect the overall measurement uncertainties and to find new methods for their suppression. The SPEKTRA CS18 calibration system and the AVEX SM110 MP shock machine will be available for research.

   Tutor: Beneš Petr, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

9. Modeling and analysis of cyber-physical system with a human operator

   Research focused to elimination of the influence of disturbances introduced into the control system by a human operator due to biophysical characteristics of humans. Research will be focused on measuring and modeling of the movement of the upper limbs in connection with cyber-physical control system by means of electro-mechanical element in order to find a method for separating the active ingredient from the movement disturbances caused by, for example, muscle oscillations. Consequently propose a method to eliminate the disturbances. Part of the research will be focused to quantification of benefits of training, thus assessing the impact of neuro-muscular subsystem on the ability of the operator to implement motion with minimal error component. To verify the model and the proposed methods flight simulators provided by the cooperating workplace (UNOB) will be used.

   Tutor: Bradáč Zdeněk, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

10. Modelling of special safety function with respect on industrial Ethernet

    The topic is aimed on research of new special safety functions special safety functions models for machinery and the process safety. The objectives of the thesis consist of the a thorough analysis of the current safety function models, research a thorough analysis of the current models available safety functions, examining the impact of communication, particularly an industrial Ethernet. The student will be designed new models on the base on the analysis and will develop new algorithms for verification of the relevant safety logic functions and security elements for machinery and process safety. The topic will be solved in relation to national and international projects running in cooperation with industrial partners.

    Tutor: Štohl Radek, Ing., Ph.D.

11. Motor as a sensor

    In safety critical motor control applications like the fail-safe or fail operational ones, the redundancy is often required to be used. Some sensors which are not needed for the normal operation are added to diagnose the correct functionality of the overall drive. The utilization of multiphase motors or special inverter topologies are needed. In multiphase motor control applications, there seems to be an option to use the motor or its part as a redundant sensor. The deterioration of operational parameters is in this case acceptable. Only limited functionality for limited amount of time is needed. The project solution requires to become familiar with different motor types and to select suitable motor type with regard to its usability as a sensor. Later on, the design of motor control algorithms using motor feedback in case of fault will follow. The simulation results will be validated on a real motor with the help of rapid prototyping tools.

    Tutor: Blaha Petr, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

12. Objective measurement and assessment in medicine through advanced cybernetic applications

    According to Evidence Based Medicine, the objective evidence is absolutely necessary for right diagnosis and proper selection of therapy. However, suitable methods providing a sufficiently objective index relevant to the symptoms are lacking, for example, in dermatology, diabetology, physiotherapy or oncology. The goal of this project is to find novel objective diagnostic methods using unconventional view of medical problems from the perspective of cybernetics. Research work will be devoted to the development of missing methods for identifying the status of living systems, which will mainly use objective quantification of symptoms (swelling, inflammation, atrophy, blocking, etc.), mostly by accurate multispectral 3D scanning of selected parameters (eg. 3D temperature distribution, accurate 3D volumetric measurement or topological alignment). The research will continue on the results of the H2020 ASTONISH project, which has already achieved the first positive results in this area. In identifying living systems and their failures, the research work will also follow the latest advanced methods of technical cybernetics, including the use of artificial intelligence. The result will be new accurate objective quantification methods that will bring more effective therapy, shorter recovery time, lower costs and higher quality of health care, not only in the above-mentioned medical fields.

    Tutor: Chromý Adam, Ing., Ph.D.

13. Online diagnostics of electric drives

    Drive diagnostics is nowadays realized using a separate device. This often requires repeating sensors that are already used by the inverter. The new microcontrollers offer high processing power, multicore variants and advanced peripherals. The aim of this work is to create a diagnostic system of the drive directly in the motor inverter. The work will be focused on the development of algorithms that run inside the inverter and perform diagnostics of motor, inverter itself and used sensors. Algorithms will be verified on real drives by means of rapid prototyping.

    Tutor: Blaha Petr, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

14. Research of methods to improve localization accuracy inside buildings

    Research of indoor localization algorithms and methods based on wireless localization and communication system. Research is focused on assuring of quantitative localization parameters in wireless localization systems to assure quantification of quality and reliability of distance (location) measurement. The research will take advantage of data fusion methods in order to improve location accuracy based on combination of wireless localisation and information from inertial sensors. Research will therefore cover methods of data fusion, filtration and model based estimation to achieve acceptable indoor localization accuracy in challenging indoor conditions. One of the expected research outcomes is a methodology for placement of radio-beacons in order to minimize amount of beacons while maximizing location accuracy.

    Tutor: Bradáč Zdeněk, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

15. Resilient software

    Research focused on methods of creating resilient software focusing on embedded systems. Research activities based on methods that are used to design software for applications requiring certification in the field of functional safety (ie. The generation, validation and verification of generated code), assuming that a significant part of R&D activities will focus on usability of available tools for formal specification and code generation for embedded applications including implementation of communication protocols. In the initial phase, it is expected to use Alloy-related tools and functional safety relevant Matlab packages. It is expected that the performed activities will be relevant for ECSEL SECREDAS project.

    Tutor: Fiedler Petr, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

16. Statistical and structural methods for image recognition

    Topic is focused on an analysis and research of statistical (i.e. feature-based) and structural (i.e. syntactical) object recognition in an image within a task of industrial inspection. Research is focused on a computationally effective usage of both metric and non-metric classifiers given a well-defined task of visual inspection. A calculation (or sometimes qualified estimation) of convenient training set volume for given accuracy and reliability of classification is close-knit with the topic. It is usually called Vapnik’s theory).

    Tutor: Horák Karel, Ing., Ph.D.

1. round (applications submitted from 01.04.2020 to 15.05.2020)

1. Advanced Algorithms for Control and Diagnostics of Linear Motor Drives

   The topic is focused on advanced control algorithms of nonlinear dynamic systems with applications in linear-motor drives. Linear-motor drives are becoming a common component of manufacturing technologies, with the usual approach to control them based on the use of algorithms known from rotary drives. In less demanding applications, such a solution is possible, but applications requiring extreme positioning accuracy and motion dynamics require more advanced approaches. This is mainly due to the fact that the design of linear drives brings more significant non-linear behaviour. Research work will be focused on energy-optimal drive control as well as design of state reconstructors as virtual sensors for virtual redundancy and system diagnostics. Not only traditional approaches of control theory, but also methods of system diagnostics based on artificial intelligence will be studied. The research will be carried out in close connection with international projects, in particular the H2020 Teaming Center RICAIP.

   Tutor: Václavek Pavel, prof. Ing., Ph.D.

2. Advanced diagnostics methods for predictive maintenance in production systems

   The topic is focused on advanced methods of data acquisition and processing for predictive maintenance purposes. Research and development of new prediction methods using virtual models designed for production systems is expected. For complex and costly systems or JIT systems, it is not possible to carry out only reactive maintenance at present, and existing predictive maintenance methods do not use advanced mathematical methods. In connection with the advent of Industry 4.0 technologies, systems for on-line monitoring of equipment status are increasingly being used in practice, but mostly only assess the current situation. In less demanding applications, such a solution is possible, but for applications requiring high reliability during the Fourth Industrial Revolution, one of the current trends is to use more advanced approaches. Research work will be focused on diagnostic system architecture, design of data models and data recording structures, and research of prediction models, structures and related methods. The work will also include research into methods of data preprocessing for the detection of anomalous phenomena. Not only traditional algorithmic approaches and signal processing methods will be studied, but it is also expected to use methods of system diagnostics using tools that fall under artificial intelligence and machine learning. The research will follow the international project RACAS realized in cooperation with the Technical University of Magdeburg, Germany.

   Tutor: Kaczmarczyk Václav, Ing., Ph.D.

3. Modern optical sensors utilizing advanced fiber optic structures

   The topic is focused on research of fiber optic sensor designs utilizing advanced fiber structures for measurement of non-electrical quantities (temperature, mechanical stress, deformation, etc.). Such structures include a SMS (single-mode - multi-mode - single-mode) structure, which utilizes multimode interference and according to the used wavelength and geometric dimensions of the SMS structure determines the spectral properties of the output light, which are subsequently influenced by measured physical quantity. Research work will be focused on design, simulation and implementation of SMS structures and creation of methodology for design and characterization of these structures to achieve required metrological parameters, especially high sensitivity to measured physical quantity. Research will also include suitable methods for evaluation of optical signals from sensors, especially advanced methods of spectrum analysis and simple intensity methods. Application of these intrinsic fiber optic sensors can be advantageous in technical diagnostics and monitoring of production machines. Research will be carried out in connection with running national and international projects.

   Tutor: Havránek Zdeněk, Ing., Ph.D.