Conference on modern mathematical and software-based methods in metrology

With the assistance of the European Union, a novel series of conferences entitled "Advanced Mathematical Tools in Metrology" was organized in Europe in 1993, which deals with mathematical and software-based issues of metrology and has no equal up to now. The third working conference of this series will take place from September 25 to 28, 1996, at the traditional Magnushaus at Kupfergraben in Berlin, the seat of the Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft (German Physical Society). It is organized by the Berlin Institute of the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB).

Many spheres of public life, of health and environmental protection and, above all, of industry require reliable and precise measuring techniques. In terms of traditional physics, in the industrialized countries, precision measuring technology has resulted in a highly developed "technical culture". The integration of computer controls and mathematical evaluation procedures into a great number of measuring systems offers new possibilities but it also implies risks as the computer software may be defective and test procedures for detecting hidden software errors do not exist in a universal form.

In this connection, the delayed start-up of the new checking-in facility of Denver Airport (USA) and the recent unsuccessful start of the European ARIANE 5 rocket are to be mentioned. Both incidents which were caused by software errors led to grave economic losses.

In metrology, comparable losses have not yet been incurred. To preclude the risk of such losses in the field of metrology, the PTB and other European national metrology institutes have decided to discuss the scientific issues of mathematical and software-based methods in metrology at regular intervals.

The choice of Berlin as the place for the third conference of this series also offers a good chance of involving East European participants. The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Association) supports this objective by furthering the scientific contacts.

Further information can be obtained from:
Prof. Dr. Dieter Richter, PTB Berlin Institute
tel. ++49 / (0)30-3841-479