WFCS Conference is a success at every layer
From April 21 to 24, the Institute for Reliable Embedded Systems and Communication Electronics (ivESK) at Offenburg University of Applied Sciences hosted the 22nd edition of the International IEEE Conference on Factory Communication Systems (WFCS26). The WFCS does not address abstract questions, but rather critical topics for tomorrow’s economic success, as Prof. Dr. Thomas Eisele, Vice President for Research and Transfer at Offenburg University of Applied Sciences, noted in his welcome address to the approximately 80 participants from twelve countries. And the guests from Brazil, Belgium, China, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Austria, Sweden, Spain, Taiwan, and the USA confirmed this: In various sessions, they discussed aspects such as real-time communication, security, wireless communication and sensor technology, 5G/6G integration, and much more.
The full complexity of the WFCS topic was also evident in the two keynote speeches. Dr. Lena Yoshihara-Lisch highlighted the importance of fail-safe wireless data networks for intelligent applications in smart buildings, companies, and cities, as well as for emergency call systems. She cited the reduction of water loss in public sewer networks as an example. A permanently installed wireless communication network can deliver the high-quality data needed to detect small leaks and dripping points in under five minutes, according to the Chief Expert for Innovation Management and Transformation Program Lead at Diehl Metering GmbH. In his keynote, Dr. Friedrich Wiemer spoke about the already proven security of in-vehicle data networks and how this could be applied to industry and other environments. “Today, it is no longer about protecting the signal, but rather the connection layer,” explained the Senior Security Expert for In-Vehicle Communication at Robert Bosch GmbH.
“In this world of complex requirements, there are no simple solutions or isolated ideas. I am always fascinated by how many different elements must be present and integrated into a complete system,” said Prof. Dr. Axel Sikora, Director of ivESK and General Co-Chair of the conference, summarizing his impressions of the WFCS. Together with General Co-Chair Prof. Dr. Stefano Scanzio from the co-organizing Institute of Electronics, Informatics, and Telecommunications (CNR-IEIIT) in Italy and Program Co-Chair Prof. Dr. Henning Trsek from the Institute of Industrial IT (inIT) at the Ostwestfalen-Lippe University of Applied Sciences, he presented awards for the best papers of the conference. The award for the best scientific paper went to a team from the Institute of Communications Engineering and High-Frequency Systems at Johann Kepler University in Linz, Austria, for their “Binary Radio Environment Map Derived from Situational Awareness and RSRP Measurements.” The award for the best Work in Progress Paper went to Onoriode Akporherhe and Luis Almeida (in absentia) from the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Porto for their paper “Toward Server-Side Scheduling on LoRaWAN.”
The academic event was rounded out by various tutorials and demonstrations, an industry forum, a guided tour of Offenburg’s vaulted cellars, and a gala dinner at the Hexenkeller.
Background on the WFCS Conference
The WFCS Conference is supported by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the Industrial Electronics Society (IES), and coordinated by the IEEE Technical Committee on Factory Automation (TCFA). The next conference will take place in Bilbao in 2027. Rohde & Schwarz was the industry partner for the 22nd edition in Offenburg.
WFCS Demo Session April 21, 2026
WFCS April 22-24, 2026
