Master's Thesis in Software Development

Company Description

Master's Thesis Title :

Digital twins of scientific instruments for automated software testing

Job Description

In modern laboratory equipment, software is the most regularly used interface between user and instrument. Thus, for manufacturers of such instruments, such as Anton Paar, the development of intuitive and stable software is a key component to achieve customer satisfaction. Developing stable software requires intensive testing, which is only feasible for large and complex applications if it is automated. Since instrument control software always includes hardware-related parts, digital twins of the laboratory instruments are required for test automation. These digital twins represent the behavior of the instrument, allowing fully automated tests without the manual steps that would be required when using the real instruments.

Responsibilities

• Analyze existing interfaces and simulators in the control software of a scientific instrument for X-ray analysis.
• Develop the design concept for a digital twin of the instrument.
• Implement the design concept to be usable in automated software tests, preferably in C#.
• Demonstrate the functionality of the digital twin in an exemplary test case.

Goals

The goal of this thesis is to create a digital twin of a scientific instrument in the field of X-ray analysis. The first part includes the analysis of the existing interface between the control software and the instrument. Furthermore, the relevant signals of the instrument for automated software tests are evaluated with the help of our software and test engineers. This step leads to a clear view on the required functionality of the digital twin. In the second step, a design concept for the digital twin is developed. The possible re-use of existing simulators for parts of the instrument is checked. Finally, the concept is implemented and its functionality is demonstrated in exemplary test applications. To achieve good compatibility between the digital twin and the control software, the programming language C# is intended to be used for the implementation. For more information about our X-ray analysis instruments, check out our website :

Qualifications

Additional Information

The employment is based on a work contract. Successfully completing the master's thesis will be rewarded with a one-time fee of €3.000.

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Applications via personnel service providers will not be processed. As a matter of principle, we also do not hire temporary workers, but build on long-term, direct employment relationships.