Technology


Fraunhofer creates AI algorithm to ease the strain of demanding cognative loads


Fraunhofer researchers are using AI to check drivers’ cognitive load and instruct the car to intervene in case of elevated stress levels. Te technology is also applicable to other job functions, such as pilots and surgeons. To develop their AI-based system, the


researchers of the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS in Erlangen, Germany, have implemented two proprietary technologies: a network of sensors for measuring bio signals, such as pulse, respiratory rate and movements, and AI-driven algorithms to recognise when a person has reached their cognitive load limit. Based on AI’s decisions, the system could instruct the vehicle electronics to relieve the driver of certain tasks to reduce overall complexity or recommend a rest. Te sensor network is called Maphera.


Te sensors are wireless and designed to be integrated into clothing or mobile devices. Teir data is transmitted with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). “What sounds simple is, in fact, technically


challenging,” said Norman Pfeiffer, Group Manager for Medical Sensor Systems at


Fraunhofer IIS. “Tis is because different sensors are equipped with different microcontrollers that operate at different clock frequencies. With short-term measurements, this is not a problem. However, when used whilst driving or in the field of occupational safety, measurements oſten run for several hours. In these cases, clock driſts accumulate and the bio signals fall out of sync. Tey can then no longer be assigned to the same point in time.” For this, the Fraunhofer researchers have


succeeded in calculating the clock driſts caused by the different microcontrollers when collecting the sensor data. “With our system, the data is in sync, with


a tolerance of just 30 microseconds,” said Pfeiffer. To assess the relationship between bio


signals and cognitive load, test subject were instructed to play computer games, whilst performing tasks, differing in complexities. Teir bio signals’ data was then collected and combined with the n-back test, a standard psychology test that examines cognitive abilities such as attention and memory, and


AI type network can monitor driver for cognitive load [© Fraunhofer IIS / Paul Pulkert]


analysed by AI algorithms, that helped create personal cognitive load profiles. Systems like these are expected to be used


more widely in the future in the driver’s cabin, cockpit or operating theatre, complementing setups like cameras, to monitor operators and intervene when they reach their cognitive load limit. Car manufacturers have already shown


interest in the technology, especially since camera-based advanced driver distraction warning systems become mandatory in new cars from 2026 as part of the EU’s General Safety Regulation 2019/2144.


DDS technology enables microwave ion control in quantum computers


German start-up EleQtron has used Arbitrary Waveform Generators (AWG) from Spectrum Instrumentation to improve its quantum computers for reliability and performance. EleQtron’s quantum computers use microwave radiation instead of lasers to control the individual trapped ion qubits, which leads to a simpler design, lower power consumption and thus less cooling. Tis big step was achieved by using advanced Direct Digital Synthesis (DDS) technology with up to 20 sine wave carriers per output to perform the quantum operations, supported by Spectrum Instrumentation’s AWGs. Generally, laser ablation is used in a high


vacuum to create a string of Ytterbium ions, a process that can build a string of up to 30 ions in a single register, each functioning as a qubit.


Key to implementing quantum algorithms is the use of a magnetic field and an oscillating electric field to generate a (quadrupole ion trap. Many designs use a laser at this stage to control and manipulate the qubits, preparing them to execute quantum gates. Such lasers, however, must be exceptionally accurate in targeting each ion individually and have high power requirements. By comparison, microwaves are technically


simpler and require around one-fiſth of the power. A high frequency oscillator source and the output of Spectrum’s DDS card are combined using a single sideband (SSB) mixer, generating a signal around 12.64GHz. Tanks to the Zeeman effect resulting from the magnetic field, each ion can be “addressed” by modulating the signal in deltas of 3-5MHz,


04 November 2025 www.electronicsworld.co.uk


which provides low crosstalk and integrates nicely to chip-based ion traps. Te DDS card generates the multi-tone signal that is needed to implement individual control and manipulation of the qubits. EleQtron scientists turned to Spectrum


Instrumentation when they hit the limits of their existing AWG hardware. Generated signals are modified in amplitude, phase offset, pulse length and frequency for correct control of each qubit. Tis helps achieve the desired frequency that determines the speed of quantum operations. But such requirements place significant demands on the AWG. Te Spectrum Instrumentation M4i.6631


AWG generates practically any waveform, and in DDS mode, the card generates up to 20 independent sine wave carriers per channel.


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