Consorzio Università Industria - Laboratori di Radiocomunicazioni
Italy

RadioLabs, Consorzio Università Industria - Laboratori di Radiocomunicazioni, is a non-profit research consortium, specialized in wireless telecommunications. The Consortium was founded in 2001 and has its head offices in Rome. RadioLabs’ goal is to promote and coordinate research, development and advanced training related to emerging radio technologies and their applications. RadioLabs’ partners are: SELEX Communications (a Finmeccanica Company), Si-ies S.r.l., UNI.COM S.p.A., Università di Roma II “Tor Vergata”. In SMS Radiolabs will use resources from The Electronic Engineering Department of Università di Roma II, “Tor Vergata”, supplemented by extra resources hired specifically to work in the project.

Università di Roma - Tor Vergata was founded in 1982, rapidly becoming one of Italy’s most important universities. Today, the university has more than 1.300 teaching staff, 6 faculties and 23 departments. The university’s role in the Radiolabs is managed by the Department of Electronic Engineering. The Electronic Engineering Department of Università di Roma II, “Tor Vergata” brings together a wide range of experts in analog and digital microelectronics and in different areas of information and communications technology. The department has about 50 faculty members and 20 administrative and technical staff. Within DIE, the networking group that will be involved in the project is composed of three faculties plus 4 post docs, 8 PhD students and 6 Researchers and Software Developers hired on specific activities. The networking group has expertise in performance evaluation, design and control of broadband integrated networks, LANs, wireless LANs and satellite networks; multimedia traffic modelling, queuing systems modelling, and related performance evaluation; mobile and personal communications; QoS, traffic engineering and support for real time services in the Internet, IP telephony; MPLS and IP in optical networks; and ubiquitous computing. From 1991-2004 members of DIE’s networking group produced more than 50 journal papers and around 170 conference papers. Research projects conducted by the networking group have been/are funded or co-funded by the Italian Public Education Ministry (several PRINs and FIRBs and FARs), the Italian National Research Council (several projects), major companies (including Alenia Spazio, Ericsson, Siemens, Telecom Italia, Telespazio, PointerCom), the European Space Agency and the European Union. ESA projects include: “On-Board Data Interleaving Scheme”; “ATM through satellite Phase I”; “ATM through satellite Phase II”; “Transport Protocol and Resource Management for Mobile Satellite Networks”, “Integrated Resources and QoS Management for DVB-RCS Networks”. EU projects of the networking group include. ACTS: INSIGNIA, MEDIAN, SECOMS/ABATE and ASSET; 5 FP, IST: AQUILA, ELISA, FIFTH, ICEBERGS, SUITED and WHYLESS.COM; 6 FP, IST: EuQoS, SATNEX and SIMPLICITY (as coordinator); ITEA: MAGELLAN, POLLENS and RTIPA. Members of the networking group play an active role in standardization forums including IETF, ITU and WWRF. Members of the group have been reviewers for numerous research proposals and have audited several EU and ITEA sponsored projects. Faculty members have been editors for two IEEE JSAC special issues, two MONET special issues, a JCN special issue, an ETT special issue. Networking group members have organized workshops such as ACM WMI 2001, ACM WMASH 2003, ACM WMASH 2004, played the role of TPC members in tens of international conferences and served as reviewers and session chairs for numerous IEEE Conferences and as reviewers and guest editors for a series of IEEE Journals. Besides technical expertise in networking issues, evidenced by many scientific publications and a successful track record in related projects, the networking group can offer also contributions to demonstration and test-bed activities (as they have already done in several EU-funded projects).


 

Athens International Airport
Greece

Athens International Airport (AIA) opened in March 2001. It was the first major greenfield airport in the world to be constructed with the participation of the private sector. For the second consecutive year, AIA has achieved the 1st ranking position in “Overall Passenger Satisfaction” (IATA “Global Airport Monitor 2003” and “Global Airport Monitor 2004”) for Airports serving up to 15 million passengers per year. The IT & Telecommunications Business Unit has been awarded the “Recognized Excellence in Europe” award by the European Foundation for Quality Management.

The role of the Information Technology & Telecommunications Business Unit (IT&T) is that of an integrator and operator of reliable, state-of-the-art, cost effective and innovative services. AIA’s IT&T infrastructure comprises a Gigabit Ethernet data network backbone, a Tetra radio infrastructure, a PABX infrastructure, an IP telephony infrastructure, a Wireless LAN infrastructure, a GSM and 3G radio infrastructure, together with the Airport Operational Database (AODB) and the Universal Flight information Scheduler (UFIS). AIA’s IT&T department has broad experience in integrating ICT solutions for airport operational requirements. Systems produced by the Department include Automatic Vehicle location applications, Smart bus stops and Automatic invoicing services for fuelling companies.

AIA provides services and integrated solutions to the Airport Community (airlines, handlers, passengers, concessionaires, governmental authorities etc) including more than 300 corporations and 14,000 user. Service provision is based on a one-stop-shop concept. AIA also provides consulting services to a number of International Airports worldwide (Dusseldorf-Germany, Sidney-Australia, Dammam-S. Arabia, Tirana-Albania, Astana-Kazakhstan etc). Areas covered include IT & Telecommunications, business planning, commercial concept, provision of integrated services and contract management. AIA has participated in a number of European R&D projects, accumulating know-how in leading IT and Telecommunication technologies and contributing to the definition of airport-related service specifications. All these projects have made extensive use of AIA’s core infrastructure and services.


 

France Telecom
France

The R&D division of France Telecom is one of France Telecom's most valuable assets, driving the company’s worldwide strategic expansion and consolidation. With more than 3,000 engineers and researchers based in 13 sites in Europe, North America and Asia, the R&D division cooperates closely with industrial groups, international scientific communities and regulatory bodies. The division’s goal is to deliver innovation to intra-Group clients. The R&D division is responsible for conceiving 70% of the products and services marketed by FT.
It specializes in the following areas:
· New generation networking: definition of concepts and architectures enabling networks to evolve progressively towards high bit rates, multi-services and easily operated solutions
· Multimedia services, technologies and ergonomics
· Mobile networks and services including GRPS, UMTS and Beyond 3G
· Innovative End-user interfaces: multimodal interfaces, natural language processing, advanced interfaces
· Software engineering systems: real-time kernels, distributed systems, embedded systems The R&D division of France Telecom already contributes to numerous national and international R&D actions. During Framework V, the division participated in more than 75 projects. It also participated actively in the RNRT (National Research Network in Telecommunications), and EUREKA programs. The R&D division maintains a very close relationship with public-sector laboratories such as the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), the INRIA and the CEA, with 60 research contracts signed every year. The R&D division of France Telecom enjoys a strategic partnership with standards organizations (IETF, ITU, ETSI ...),which allows it to be one of Europe’s most successful pioneers in the promotion of technical innovations and policies.

Institute of Communication and Computer Systems of the National Technical University of Athens
Greece

The Institute of Communication and Computer Systems (ICCS) was established by the Greek Ministry of Education to carry out research and development activity in computer and electrical engineering. The Institute is associated with the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering (SECE) of the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA). ICCS personnel include support staff, research students and fellows of SECE/ICCS. The Intelligent Communications and Broadband Networks (ICBNet) Laboratory is an ICCS member lab. ICBNet draws on a pool of expert personnel including faculty, researchers and students. The lab carries out research and development activities in telecommunications systems and techniques, computer systems and their applications. There is a specific emphasis on mobile communications and contiguous research areas. Over the last few years, the laboratory has participated in many ACTS, ESPRIT, BRITE and IST projects (ACTS ELISA-INSIGNIA-VIKING-MARINE, ESPRIT MANTI, BRITE, AQUILA-STARLITE-SAILOR-ENAMORADO, SIMPLICITY etc.).
ICBNet boasts expertise in a number of interrelated research fields including:
· Integration and setup of hybrid environments embracing wireline and wireless technologies (LAN, Wireless LAN, and GSM)
· Internet QoS Architectures: IntServ & DiffServ for QoS support over the Internet
· Definition, implementation and simulation of signaling protocols
· Advanced network simulations and performance analysis (using high end tools, e.g. OPNET)
· Traffic engineering, network analysis and dimensioning
· Web based applications using advanced technologies
· Service design, creation and provision
· IN services: Friends & Family, videoconferencing, prioritizing incoming calls etc.
· Location based and context-aware services
· Security and privacy
· Mobile Agent Platforms, Distributed Processing Environments, Open APIs
· Architecture, Protocols for the support of Session and Mobility Management in the UMTS network.
· Protocol suites for the support of (macro-, micro-) mobility in wireless IP networks (Mobile IP, Cellular IP, HAWAII)
· IP Multimedia Service platforms and session handling protocols (SIP, SDP) for the provision of enhanced multimedia services in satellite and terrestrial UMTS environments

ICBNet actively contributes to international forums and standardization bodies, including Parlay, IETF, ITU-T and ETSI. ICBNet is a member of the Wireless World Research Forum (WWRF). It has co-operated successfully with leading industrial, research and academic institutions throughout Europe.

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
Germany

The Media Informatics group at the University of Munich (LMU) specializes in user-oriented aspects of technologies for digital media, and in software technologies for multimedia applications. The head of the group (Heinrich Hussmann) and some members moved from Dresden University of Technology to Munich in 2003. In Dresden, the group was involved in several major IST projects, e.g. ELISA and AQUILA. Since moving to Munich, the group has participated in the IST Simplicity project and in a number of national research projects. The University of Munich is one of the oldest and largest universities in Germany offering a wide range of courses. The “Media Informatics” program, established in 2002, is an interdisciplinary program on applied computer science for digital media. Students in the program are taught to use multimedia technology (e.g. digital video production), computer graphics and man-machine interaction technologies (e.g. usability evaluation methods). The Media Informatics teaching and research group currently comprises two professors, two postdocs and nine graduate researchers/teachers. The members of the group have extensive research experience, for example in: software specification languages (especially techniques for profile-based adaptation); policy-based adaptation engines; software frameworks for the development of multimedia applications; model-driven development; development of experimental user interfaces on mobile phones; augmented reality and sensor networks; novel physical technologies for human-computer interfaces; and usability engineering.

Sagem Orga GmbH
Germany

In 2005, Sagem Orga was created to combine the smart card expertise of the French company Sagem Defense Securite with that of ORGA Kartensysteme GmbH, Germany. This smart card expert offers its customers innovative, tailor-made system solutions based on card technology, and ranks among the major players in the international smart card industry. Sagem Orga's portfolio includes hardware and software, consulting and services related to smart cards for the Telecommunications, Health, ID and Banking sectors. Sagem Orga is headquartered in Paderborn, Germany. It has a global network of subsidiaries, joint ventures, branch offices and sales partners as well as state-of-the-art production sites in France, Germany, China, Brazil, Russia, India, Nigeria and the U.S. Around the world, more than 1,800 people work for this smart card company. With ist research and development units, the company has been involved in several research projects, for instance within the IST and Eureka programs. Sagem Orga is part of the international high-tech group SAFRAN. With 58,000 employees in more than 30 countries, SAFRAN generates annual sales of more than 10 billion euros.

Siemens AG
Germany
 

Siemens AG is a global powerhouse in electronics and electrical engineering, operating in the industry, energy and healthcare sectors. The company has around 400,000 employees (in continuing operations) working to develop and manufacture products, design and install complex systems and projects, and tailor a wide range of solutions for individual requirements. The cross-sector division Siemens IT Solutions and Services (SIS) – the Siemens IT powerhouse – embodies the comprehensive IT expertise of Siemens. In SMS Siemens SIS participates via its research lab C-LAB which is a cooperation with the University of Paderborn. The general working domain of C-LAB is "co-operative computing & communication”. Siemens SIS C-LAB has led or been a partner in several research projects in these areas, e.g. UBISEC. The Siemens team in the SMS project will be led by Matthias Niemeyer.

TriaGnoSys GmbH
Germany

TriaGnoSys GmbH was founded in March 2002 as spin-off from the German Aerospace Center (DLR). TriaGnoSys GmbH is an independent private company. The shareholders of TriaGnoSys GmbH (Matthias Holzbock, Dr. Axel Jahn and Dr. Markus Werner) act as managing directors on behalf of the company. TriaGnoSys’ business is divided between three consulting practices serving space, aerospace and terrestrial communications. In each of these areas, TriaGnoSys develops system concepts and offers technical consulting services, especially for communications protocols and the integration of multimedia services. Interworking between heterogeneous network components is a strength of TriaGnoSys. TriaGnoSys has over 25 person years of experience in the space, aerospace and communication networks business with more than 150 publications. TriaGnoSys directors and senior engineers have for many years played major roles in groundbreaking international projects, primarily within EC and ESA funded research programs. TriaGnosys has recently contributed to studies of a number of highly interesting market segments including broadband communications on-board planes and high-speed trains, as well as satellite-based European digital audio broadcasting for mobile users.

TriaGnoSys’ key personnel is currently involved in several projects relevant to the scope of the SMS proposal, including in particular the SUITED and WirelessCabin projects in Framework V.

Telecom Italia Group
Italy

Telecom Italia Group (TI) represents a major Italian enterprise, with leading companies in the strategic ICT sector which is among the main European groups. The Group operates through high profile brands such as Telecom Italia, Alice, TIM, Olivetti, La7, MTV and APcom, operating in fixed-line and mobile telephony, internet, media, and innovative business solutions and systems, and also in research and innovation.
Since its earliest days, the Telecom Italia Group’s mobile telephony brand TIM has been a technology leader, the first to market with services such as MMS messages and Mobile TV, next step is the current development of fourth-generation multimedia mobile broadband and mobile digital TV. TIM is leveraging its extensive expertise and technological lead to promote the take-up of value added and interactive services via a convergent offerings model, as it ports all of the services and content currently available on home computers to the mobile phone.
The Telecom Italia Group has an “Innovation, Engineering, Testing” arm that leverages Telecom Italia Lab’s experience, resources and know-how. Working closely with Pirelli Labs, universities, research centres and industry, this Unit brings the future closer by developing advanced services for a wide range of sectors, ranging from mobile to multimedia, home and business, with its hallmark quality and security.
TI has been a participant from the beginning to the European Union Framework Programmes, starting with the first pilot projects of the ESPRIT programme in 1983, and continuing as one the primary European collaborators in terms of both finance and the number of projects.
TI participates to about 30 Projects within the 6th Framework Programme, and is acting as a Coordinator of a few large Projects:

• NOBEL: Next Generation Optical Networks for Broadband European Leadership
• CASCADAS: Component-ware for Automatic Situation-aware Communications, and Dynamically Adaptable Services
• ENABLE: Enabling Efficient and Operational Mobility in Large Heterogeneous IP Networks
• ANGEL: Advanced Networked embedded platform as a Gateway to Enhance quality of life.
  
  

Telecom Italia is also active in several standardisation bodies; among them can be recalled: ETSI, FSAN, IETF, ISO/JTC1/MPEG, ITU-T, Parlay, OIF, SIP Forum, TM Forum, UMTS Forum, W3C, 3G.IP, 3GPP. Co-operation with other bodies is a fundamental part of Telecom Italia activities, since it fosters potential synergies and know-how integration aimed at widening the company's interest range.

University of Lancaster
UK

The Lancaster University Computing Department is home to an internationally renowned team of researchers investigating all aspects of communications and distributed systems, currently focusing on contemporary challenges, such as mobility/ ubiquitous computing and the problems arising from increasing levels of heterogeneity. The group has an impressive portfolio of funding from the EPSRC, EU and industry, with direct funding from BT Labs, Microsoft, Orange, Cisco, HP Labs, France Télécom, Lucent, Intel, and ETRI. The group is a key playes in EU/IST projects including the FP V E-NET Network of Excellence in Emerging Network technologies. It chairs the Links to Industry committee in Cabernet. Notable projects at Lancaster include the UK based Equator project and the EU funded projects Smart-Its (part of the Disappearing Computer Initiative) and Simplicity.

VTT Electronics
Finland

VTT Electronics (VTT) is an independent and impartial R&D institute with a total staff of about 300. It offers a full range of highly sophisticated technology expertise ranging from electronics to software engineering and user interfaces. VTT services are used by the electronics, telecommunications, process automation, mechanical engineering, and instrumentation industries. VTT Electronics is part of the Technical Research Centre of Finland which is one of the largest non-profit contract research organizations in Europe, employing over 3000 persons. R&D projects range from industrial development projects, in collaboration with the biggest product producers in the field, to internal research projects to national and international joint research projects. Participation in European research programs is an important activity at VTT. The company is currently involved in various Eureka/ITEA, IST and other EU projects.

The Embedded Software research group offers expert services in software technology, including embedded software engineering, middleware, service architectures and platforms and wireless communications. As an innovator of ideas, VTT also produces patents and prototypes to meet its customer's needs.

The Cellular Systems research group concentrates on intelligent telecommunication solutions for fixed and wireless platforms at various protocol layers. The group focuses on ubiquitous communication, context-awareness and user interface techniques of future telecommunication products. One current research topic is virtual reality prototyping of electronics and telecommunications products. This technology is used in the ITEA/BEYOND project to design future ubiquitous and context-sensitive telecommunications environments.

XiWrite S.a.S.
Italy

XiWrite S.a.S. is an Italian research consultancy, founded in 2000 and based in Frascati, near Rome. XiWrite’s mission is to support the research activities of universities, industrial companies and other organizations. XiWrite’s staff have strong backgrounds in business development and in the management of European and National research projects. Using this background, the company has provided consultancy to many different companies and organizations. XiWrite has assisted the partners of a number of European projects, including I-Learning (IST-FET), DELIS (IST-FET) and PACE (IST-FET). The services provided by XiWrite have included scientific coordination, development of concepts for the exploitation of research results, drafting of business plans, coordination of researchers from different disciplines, mentoring of research staff and the review, translation and editing of publications and deliverables.