About
Laboratory for Information Processing (iPRO Lab) operates organizationally within the Department of Electrical Engineering, Automation and Computing at the University of Rijeka, Faculty of Maritime Studies.
The laboratory’s work and research activities take place in the area of technical sciences, relying on a unique combination of interdisciplinary knowledge in the fields of electrical engineering, computer science, and traffic technology and transport. The primary focus of the laboratory is directed towards the development of information processing methods and the implementation of corresponding computer solutions.
The planned research activities of the laboratory include:
- Development of methods and computer algorithms based on advanced digital signal processing techniques (analysis and processing of non-stationary signals, time-frequency signal analysis, noise suppression in signals, signal feature extraction, digital image and video processing, algorithm optimization),
- Development of methods and computer algorithms based on principles of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine and deep learning (signal feature detection, pattern recognition, data segmentation, detection and classification, computer vision and convolutional neural networks, processing data from modern sensor systems with applications in maritime and traffic domains),
- Development, optimization, and implementation of computer solutions based on advanced digital signal processing and machine learning techniques (applications for estimating and predicting sea state parameters based on ship motion measurements, applications in other areas involving analysis and processing of non-stationary signals),
- Applications of advanced digital solutions in maritime communication and electronic navigation systems (data compression in maritime communication channels, hybrid computer platforms in maritime communication systems for exploiting navigation data, application of machine learning methods for utilizing maritime data (AIS)).
The activities of the Laboratory encompass:
- Application and implementation of research projects,
- Dissemination of research results,
- Collaboration with other national and foreign research institutions,
- Teaching activities,
- Support in the preparation of doctoral dissertations and student master’s and bachelor’s theses,
- Science popularization activities.
Staff
Employees of the Faculty of Maritime Studies:
External associates:
- Assoc. Prof. Jonatan Lerga, PhD, University of Rijeka, Faculty of Engineering, Rijeka
- Assoc. Prof. Nicoletta Saulig, Juraj Dobrila University of Pula, Faculty of Engineering, Pula
- Prof. Dr. Eng. Nobukazu Wakabayashi, Kobe University, Graduate School of Maritime Sciences, Kobe, Japan
Equipment
The existing equipment located in room 419 includes:
- Sperry Marine Navigat X MK2 digital gyrocompass,
- Saab R4 AIS transponder system,
- Laptop with enhanced processor, memory, and graphics performance,
- Six workstations with personal computers,
- Four analog oscilloscopes,
- Four function generators with DC power supplies,
- Sets of protoboards with corresponding electronic components,
- Whiteboard,
- NI Multisim software tool for simulation and design of electronic circuits,
- Specialized software packages and libraries for the implementation of computer algorithms in digital signal processing and machine learning (Octave, Python).
Projects
The list of selected completed and ongoing research projects:
- „Computer-Aided Procedures for Information Processing in Maritime Communication Systems - University of Rijeka (uniri-mladi-tehnic-23-15)“, University of Rijeka – UNIRI Young Scientists’ Projects 2023, 2024 – 2025, project leader: Assist. Prof. Nikola Lopac, PhD
- „Proof of an Innovative Concept of Using Computer Vision for the Detection and Recognition of Marine Vessels in Nautical Tourism Ports“ (NPOO.C3.2.R3-I1.01.0124), Operational program NPOO: Call for the allocation of grants „Proof of Innovative Concept“, 2024 – 2025
- „Fire Free MED (FRED)“, Interreg MED, 2024 – 2026
- „Development of computational algorithms based on digital signal processing and artificial intelligence methods with application in modern transport systems“ (UNIRI-ZIP-2103-4-22), University of Rijeka – ZIP UNIRI, 2023 – 2026, project leader: Assist. Prof. Nikola Lopac, PhD
- „Analysis and Classification of Non-Stationary Signals Using Advanced Deep Learning Methods“ (uniri-mladi-tehnic-22-16), University of Rijeka – UNIRI Young Scientists’ Projects 2022), 2023, project leader: Assist. Prof. Nikola Lopac, PhD
- „Computer-Aided Digital Analysis and Classification of Signals“ (uniri-tehnic-18-17), University of Rijeka, 2020 – 2023
- „A network for Gravitational Waves, Geophysics and Machine Learning (G2net)“, EU COST Action (CA17137), 2020 – 2023
Publications
The majority of selected papers published in scientific journals are available here.
The majority of selected papers presented at scientific conferences are available here.
The majority of selected bachelor’s and master’s theses completed under the supervision of the laboratory staff are available here.
Science popularization activities
Conducted science popularization activities:
- Interactive demonstration „Window into the World of Artificial Intelligence and Computer Vision“, Science Festival Rijeka 2024, 25 April 2024, Laboratory for Information Processing, Rijeka, Croatia
- Organization of the Erasmus+ BIP „International Summer School on Unmanned Aircraft Systems in Traffic Applications – ASTRA 2023“, 26-30 June 2023, University of Rijeka, Faculty of Maritime Studies, Rijeka, Croatia
- Lecture „Sensor Integration with UAS — Computer Vision Applications“, Erasmus+ BIP „International Summer School on Unmanned Aircraft Systems in Traffic Applications – ASTRA 2023“, 29 June 2023, University of Rijeka, Faculty of Maritime Studies, Rijeka, Croatia
- Interactive lecture „Maritime Networks“, Science Festival 2022, 5 May 2022, University of Rijeka, Faculty of Maritime Studies, Rijeka, Croatia
Gallery
