Seneca’s Open Source Technology for Emerging Platforms (OSTEP) applied research program supports the development and commercialization of software for pervasive computing products, from the tiniest sensors to cloud-based back-end systems. OSTEP provides access to expertise from students, faculty and infrastructure at Seneca and is supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).
Accelerating the commercialization of pervasive computing — from the Internet of Things to the Cloud
OSTEP Applied Research Areas of Focus
Super-Embedded Systems
Modern embedded systems, including Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, actuators and gateways, require advanced software for security, advanced edge processing including machine learning (ML/AI) and efficient, reliable operation.
Software Optimization
Software optimization is critical at all points in pervasive computing — from ensuring optimal battery life in IoT devices to reducing costs in the cloud. OSTEP will collaborate with you to balance performance, energy, computing power and size requirements to give your product a competitive edge.
DevOps
Developing, testing and releasing software on an accelerated timeframe can be daunting. Highly automated DevOps (integrated Development and Operations) procedures enable confident rapid deployment cycles.
Enabling Emerging Platforms
The core of OSTEP is enabling the full benefit of emerging hardware and software platforms — from Arm and RISC-V to containers and encryption frameworks — by leveraging open source technologies in your products.
OSTEP Expertise
Out-of-Box-Experience Design
Providing an easy, intuitive installation and configuration experience for your end-users.
Security
Solid, integrated software defences to survive and thrive in a hostile network environment.
Reliable Updating
Reliable remote updating to prevent malicious software injection and prevent device “bricking” due to interrupted or failed software updates.
Maintenance-free Operation
Minimizing or eliminating the need for regular hands-on, on-site maintenance and intervention by technical staff.
Integration
Combining diverse software and heterogenous hardware components to provide holistic solutions to your challenges.
Optimization
Tuning software to minimize computing power, storage, data transfer and cloud resources, enabling you to “right size” your device and cloud configuration, reduce energy consumption and control costs.
Upstreaming
Actively contributing back to “upstream” software communities to reduce ongoing software development and maintenance costs and have input into future development.
Licensing
Combining software under different licences in an optimal way, to limit compatibility issues, meet legal requirements and reduce liability.
Partner With Us
We're here to support product development, enhancement and validation in all areas of pervasive computing with access to expertise from students, faculty and infrastructure at Seneca.
To explore collaboration opportunities with Seneca, please complete our project request form (DOCX) and email it to research@senecapolytechnic.ca. We will contact you for a discovery discussion.
Meet our Team
Chris Tyler
Chris Tyler is the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Industrial Research Chair in Open Source Technology for Emerging Platforms and a faculty member in Seneca's School of Software Design and Data Science. He has over 35 years of experience in software development using more than 25 different computer languages, as well as network design and system administration. Mr. Tyler has specialized in securely integrating diverse systems and working with open source software communities. At Seneca, he has led applied research projects in collaboration with local companies, utilizing advanced technology to advance commercial opportunities.
Research assistants (RAs)
Research assistants (RAs) are critical to the success of applied research projects. RAs carry out research activities working under the supervision and mentorship of project principal investigators, applying their academic knowledge and skills to project design, execution and reporting. Through this hands-on experiential learning opportunity, RAs develop practical experience, advanced technical skills and professional skills relevant to a successful career. They are advanced students and recent graduates from Seneca schools including Software Design & Data Science, Information Technology Administration & Security, and Electronics & Mechanical Engineering Technology. Employers have the opportunity to build relationships with RAs and identify skilled and talented future employees.
Project Spotlight
Air Leak Testing Software
HKA Technologies Inc. is a well-established Burlington-based provider of industrial air leak testers for products ranging from waterproof light strips to mufflers.
HKA partnered with OSTEP to develop software for their next-generation CT2500 testing system, a major upgrade from their previous products with an integrated easy-to-use colour touchscreen, graphic presentation of test results, automatic test setup, result tracking for traceability, robust software deployment and remote support capabilities. This updated system has been well received by new and upgrading customers.
Force Sensing Table Technology (FSTT)® Control Software and Bluetooth Sensor
Principal Investigator(s): Chris Tyler
The Toronto-based Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC) has been developing their Force Sensing Table Technology (FSTT®) for several decades. The FSTT® system is used in conjunction with a realistic mannequin, which includes a spine embedded in polyurethane to aid students in learning chiropractic manipulation. The current system consists of a table with an embedded six-axis load cell plate, associated control electronics and a PC for collecting and displaying data. This system has revolutionized chiropractic teaching, and CMCC has supplied FSTT® systems to 15 institutions around the world.
While the existing FSTT® system has been very successful, CMCC identified two main barriers that limit the market potential of this product: the system cost and limited User Interface (UI) functionality. To address these barriers, as well as to add flexibility for future system expansion, CMCC has partnered with OSTEP to reach three objectives: software re-engineering including a new touch-enabled UI design and support for multiple sensor types; simplification of the control electronics; and development of a low-cost, body-worn wireless sensor with Bluetooth communication. These enhancements significantly improve the FSTT® system’s commercialization potential. Continuation of this collaboration will explore integrating different sensors with the system.
Funding Acknowledgement
We acknowledge the support of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).
Nous remercions le Conseil de recherches en sciences naturelles et en génie du Canada (CRSNG) de son soutien.
