Welcome to the home page of Praktische Informatik IV (Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Effelsberg)
Research Overview
The Lehrstuhl für Praktische Informatik IV does research in the areas of Computer Networks and Multimedia Systems.
In Computer Networks we focus on wireless networks and sensor networks. For example, we were involved in a major German project investigating car-to-car-communication; here, we developed routing algorithms that allow communication directly between cars, using intermediate cars as relay stations, without a fixed infrastructure. This is especially challenging since the cars move quickly. Currently, we are working on positioning algorithms for location-based systems, where the current location of the user plays an important role in finding the right information in a database. In the area of sensor networks, we have designed and implemented innovative algorithms that help to save energy when accessing the medium and routing packets.
In Multimedia Systems we concentrate on algorithms for video analysis. We were among the first groups worldwide to develop text recognition algorithms for digital videos. Another topic of research is video abstraction where the system tries to automatically derive a short summary of a longer video. Currently we work on the design of new algorithms that map large-screen video to very small screens (e.g., on mobile phones) without losing relevant information.
Academic Staff
The research group currently has two post-docs and eight PhD candidates.
Research Cooperation
We have many collaboration projects with other research partners worldwide, in particular at Stanford University, Bell Labs, Eurecom Sophia Antipolis, TU Darmstadt, Universität Karlsruhe, Universität Stuttgart, etc. We have several major third-party projects funded by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft as well as by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, the European Union and industrial companies.
Teaching Overview
We take our part regularly in teaching the basic courses of computer science (Computer Science I, Computer Science II). We also teach courses on our research topics. At the Bachelor level we offer a course in Computer Networks (6 ETCS points). At the Master level we teach a course in Multimedia Technology as well as an advanced course in Computer Networks. In addition, we offer advanced courses on Sensor Networks, Computer Graphics and Video Analysis. For a more detailed description of these courses, please take a look at our module catalogues.
Offers for Students
We are always looking for good students for Bachelor Theses and Master Theses. We also have job openings for students helping us in our research projects.
Links to websites
Course website for Bachelor Students:
Course website for Master Students:
http://www.wim.uni-mannheim.de/fileadmin/download/Modulhandbuch/Modulkatalog_MSc_WI_2011_09_20.pdf
