Prof. Dr. Martin Ostertag

Work at ZHAW

Position

• Professor for Dependable Communication Systems
• Dep. Director Institute of Embedded Systems
• Head of Research/Focus Area Communication Network Engineering

Focus

Industrial Communication Networks, Time Sensitive Networking, Precise Time Synchronization

Teaching

• Communication Technology / Digital Communication Systems
• Computer Engineering 1&2
• Communication Networks and Services 2 - English
• Principles and Applications of the IoT (BSc)
• Contributions to various CAS in the area Internet of Things

Experience

• Program und Section Manager R&D Controls
  Schindler Elevator Ltd, CH Ebikon
  09 / 2010 - 01 / 2019
• Head of R&D
  Ruf Telematik AG, CH Schlieren
  10 / 2010 - 08 / 2012
• Head of R&D "Substation Automation Systems"
  ABB Power Systems, CH Baden
  03 / 2003 - 09 / 2010
• Team Lead SCADA Communication
  ABB Network Partner / ABB Power Systems, CH BAden
  11 / 1998 - 03 / 2003
• Scientist
  ABB Corporate Research, CH Baden-Dättwil
  02 / 1996 - 11 / 1998
• Research Assistant
  University of Karlsruhe (TH), today KIT
  01 / 1992 - 12 / 1995

Education and Continuing education

Education

• PhD / Electrical Engineering
  University Karlsruhe (TH), today KIT
  01 / 1992 - 01 / 1996
• Master of Science / Electrical Engineering
  University Karlsruhe (TH), today KTI
  10 / 1986 - 12 / 1991

Continuing Education

Certificate of Advanced Studies in Higher Education
PH Zurich
09 / 2020

Network

Membership of networks

• IEEE 802.1 TSN Task Group
• Electrosuisse TK65 (Industrial-process measurement, control and automation)

ORCID digital identifier

ORCID ID: 0009-0001-5188-8682

Projects

• TSN end node on RISC-V with 1000BASE-T1 / Project leader / ongoing
• UAV On-Board Communication System / Project leader / completed
• TSN-based distributed precision measurement system / Project leader / completed
• Demonstrator für IEEE802.3 / APL - Ph2 / Project leader / completed
• Precise Time Synchronization for Industrial Time-sensitive Networks / Project leader / completed
• Demonstrator für IEEE802.3 / APL / Project leader / completed

Publications

Articles in scientific journal, peer-reviewed

• Brunner, K., Frick, F., Ostertag, M., & Lechler, A. (2025). Practical aspects of cross-vendor TSN time synchronization using IEEE 802.1AS. Journal of Sensor and Actuator Networks, 14(4), 67. https://doi.org/10.3390/jsan14040067
• Brunner, K., Dominiak, S., & Ostertag, M. (2023). Application of G.hn broadband powerline communication for industrial control using COTS components. Technologies, 11(6), 160. https://doi.org/10.3390/technologies11060160

Written conference contributions, peer-reviewed

• Brunner, K., Da Silva Miranda, L., & Ostertag, M. (2024, May 17). Timestamp accuracy of 10BASE-T1L for TSN applications. 2023 IEEE Third International Conference on Signal, Control and Communication (SCC). https://doi.org/10.1109/SCC59637.2023.10527511
• Brunner, K., & Ostertag, M. (2024). 10BASE-T1L micro interruptions : importance of good cabling between moving parts [Conference paper]. Proceedings of the 2024 Embedded World Conference, Proceedings of Embedded World Conference 2024, 560–565. https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-32171

Oral conference contributions and abstracts

• Brunner, K., & Ostertag, M. (2025, September 24). Maximizing interoperability in mixed IEEE 802.1AS-2011 and AS-2020 networks. TSN/A Conference, Stuttgart, Germany, 23-24 September 2025.
• McCall, D., Brunner, K., & Ostertag, M. (2025, September 24). Experiments with clock drift mitigation for large-scale industrial systems. TSN/A Conference, Stuttgart, Germany, 23-24 September 2025.
• Brunner, K., Ostertag, M., & Frick, F. (2024, October 2). Common implementation and interoperability challenges : focus on clock control for QBv on Linux-based end stations. TSN/A Conference, Stuttgart, Germany, 1-2 October 2024.
• Ostertag, M., & Brunner, K. (2024, March 27). Lessons learned from the application of 10BASE-T1L SPE in demanding applications. Avnet Silica DEEP Webinar, Online, 27 March 2024. https://gateway.on24.com/wcc/eh/2397559/lp/4518115/zhaw-lessons-learned-from-the-application-of-10base-t1l-spe-in-demanding-applications
• Ostertag, M., & Brunner, K. (2023, September 28). Is 10BASE-T1L fit for TSN? TSN/A Conference, Ludwigsburg, Germany, 27-28 September 2023.
• Redmond, C., & Ostertag, M. (2021, September 30). Experiments on IEEE 802.3cg 10BASE-T1L & preemption in process/industrial automation. TSN/A Conference, Online, 29-30 September 2021.
• Brunner, K., & Ostertag, M. (2021, June 1). Industrielle Anwendung von Powerline Carrier Technologie (G.hn). 14. Embedded Computing Conference, Winterthur (online), 1. Juni 2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eaj3eyvq2QM

Publications before appointment at the ZHAW

• Ostertag, M., Common Denominator – Common components have helped ABB adopt the IEC 61850 substation communication standard in record time, ABB Review Special Report IEC 61850, August 2010
• Ostertag, M.; Hilpert, G.; Kern, T., The standard route to Ethernet based substation automation, Industrial Ethernet Book, Issue 15, June 2003
• Brand, K.P.; Ostertag, M.; Wimmer, W., IEC 61850 - Safety related, distributed functions in substations and the standard IEC 61850, Power Tech Conference Proceedings, 2003 IEEE Bologna (Volume:2 ), June 2003
• Ostertag, M.; Imboden, Ch., High data rate, medium voltage powerline communications for hybrid DA/DSM, Transmission and Distribution Conference, 1999 IEEE (Volume:1), pp.240-245, New Orleans LA, Apr 11-16, 1999.
• Ostertag, M., Improved Localisation for Traffic Flow Control, Periodica Polytechnica Ser. Electrical Engineering, Vol. 41, No. 5, pp. 185-200, 1997
• Ostertag, M., Strukturierte Optimierung von Airbag-Auslösesystemen, Fortschr.-Ber. VDI Reihe 12 Nr. 280. Düsseldorf: VDI Verlag 1996 (In German)
• Ostertag, M.; Nock, E.; Kiencke, U., Optimization of Airbag Release Algorithms using Evolutionary Strategies, Proceedings on the 4th IEEE Conference on Control Applications 1995, pp. 275-280, Albany NY, Sep 28-29, 1995
• Nowinski, G.; Gering, H.; Ostertag, M., Lernfähige konnektionistische Strukturen in der Automatisierungstechnik, Teil 7.2. Neuronale Netze zur Airbagauslösung, at Automatisierungstechnik 42, Nr. 7/94, S. A25 – A28, 1994

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