OBJECTIVES

The FUTURE project has to achieve the following specific objectives:

• A SIP based UMTS multimedia subsystem to be integrated into the cellular network operator’s/service provider’s network infrastructure will be designed, complementing the UMTS packet domain, to offer real-time multimedia services.
• A multimedia SIP Client and an enhanced SIP Proxy which meets the requirements in the UMTS environment will be designed, developed, and partly implemented as prototypes, using a commercial platform.
• Vistas of innovative applications offering yet unknown added value to end users are expected from innumerable combinations of SIP based real-time multimedia communication services and Web/WAP based non-real-time information services
• Demonstrating the achievement of end-to-end QoS for the following services:
• voice over IP
• web browsing
• ftp server
• The "QoS guaranteeing functions" allowing to meet the QoS subcontract in the UMTS Access Network will be demonstrated

• the Connection Admission Control (CAC) the Scheduling mechanism the Active Set handling aiming at an efficient management of macro diversity and soft handover the Measurement Control necessary to coordinate the various measurements
• Trials multicasting in satellite UMTS section
• Evaluating the efficiency of physical and MAC layer access mechanisms in regard of packet services

PROJECT ACTIVITY

The European Commission funded VIRTUOUS project aims at investigating the feasibility of exploiting T-UMTS radio access network technology for a satellite based S-UMTS radio access network, applicable to a GSN based packet domain of UMTS Release 99. In particular, the approach of ESA to base a fully standardised UMTS Satellite Radio Access (USRA) as an open interface on the two modes of UTRA (WB-CDMA and TD-CDMA) is extended towards both higher layers above the physical layer of USRA and the architecture of the S-UMTS radio access network as a whole, including a satellite constellation.

The bulk of investigations in VIRTUOUS deals with the S-UMTS Access Bearer to be appropriately based on the T-UMTS Access Bearer, with special emphasis on the S-UMTS Radio Bearer. The focus is on analysis, design, and prototyping the S-UMTS Access Bearer excessively reusing parts of the T-UMTS Access Bearer standard of UMTS Release 99, but taking S-UMTS specific enhancements into account. The VIRTUOUS emulator of the terrestrial and satellite UMTS radio access network is confined to WB-CDMA.

FUTURE adds value to VIRTUOUS in several respects, being centred around the integration of a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) based multimedia domain into the cellular network operator’s/service provider’s network infrastructure. Thus, the UMTS packet domain is complemented, in order to offer innovative multimedia and information services.

Overall Demonstrator Architecture for FUTURE 

End-to-end QoS can only be granted if appropriate mechanisms are available to fulfil QoS demands section by section, including the UMTS Radio Bearer.

As far as the QoS in the UMTS Access Network is concerned, the VIRTUOUS demonstrator performs a first step towards the demonstration of the QoS guaranteeing functions in the UMTS access network. The FUTURE project will complement this process by properly "upgrading" the VIRTUOUS demonstrator.

In this respect, table 1 shows the QoS guaranteeing functions to be foreseen in the VIRTUOUS demonstrator, in the FUTURE demonstrator and in the target UMTS.

SIP has been adopted as signalling protocol for UMTS Release 00. The integration of SIP based multimedia communication services into the UMTS environment combines signalling for telephony originating from the Internet with GPRS/UMTS specific bearer capabilities to extend IP towards the mobile station.

Network Operator/Service Provider specific value-added applications based on SIP

Within FUTURE, the overall integrated (satellite + terrestrial) VIRTUOUS demonstrator will be enhanced to permit the validation of QoS concepts as well as of an efficient packet-based access for the forward-link of the satellite component. To achieve this, additions and modifications will be required for the S-UMTS section of the VIRTUOUS physical-layer Test Bed, which will thus also perform some Medium Access Control (MAC) functions. It should be noted that the FUTURE Test Bed, as well as the VIRTUOUS one, are a derivation of the S-UMTS Test Bed that some of the FUTURE partners are currently implementing upon ESA contract. ESA has declared in writing its intention to sponsor the FUTURE project by exchanging technical information in the field of S-UMTS and by making the ESA Test Bed available for the purposes of the FUTURE demonstrations.

Key issues

Network integration, interoperability and internetworking: FUTURE is expected to provide major contributions to this Action line, since one of the key objectives of the project is to develop interworking procedures. In particular, interworking among second generation (GPRS) and third generation (T-S-UMTS) Access and Core Networks and interworking among T-UMTS and S-UMTS networks will be addressed.

Terrestrial wireless system and networks: FUTURE is expected to provide major contributions to this Action Line, since it is expected to develop and experiment (i) meaningful functions of the RTI and RTD parts of the URAN (UMTS Radio Access Networks), (ii) appropriate InterWorking Units (IWU's). The above-mentioned equipment will deal with fundamental wireless system procedures such as resource management, flow control, signalling, QoS adaptation, intelligent mobility (roaming, handover), etc.

Re-configurable radio systems & networks: The project will contribute to this Action Line through the development and testing of key-concepts related to the adjustment of traffic network management and user requirements control, implementing options of UMTS QoS services; a basic issue could be based on the QoS guaranteeing functions in the UMTS access network and in the UMTS core network.

Workpackages list

WP 100 Requirements for new functionality and reference model

WP 200 Emulator adaptation

WP 300 QoS in the Core Network and in the Access Network

WP 400 IP based Multimedia Subsystem

WP 500 Integration and test

WP 600 Trials

WP 700 Dissemination, Standardisation, Exploitation

WP 800 Assessment and evaluation

WP 900 Management and coordination

CONSORTIUM

• A major objective of the FUTURE project initiators has been to select, for each task within the project, a partner with outstanding experience in the relevant field:
• Telespazio as one of Europe’s leading satellite companies,
• EBA for its well known experience in business model for TLC services and managing important research projects,
• Space Engineering with its strong technical background in the field of mobile (satellite) communications,
• Aachen University and the University of Aquila as experts in communication protocols and satellite communications,
• Siemens, and Ascom as outstanding industry partners to cope with the hardware and demonstrator implementation,
• Ericsson who will influence and test the development from the application side,
• Integrasys, that will lead the overall exploitation of the project results.

Description of participants

1 - Telespazio

Telespazio S.p.A. is a Telecom Italia Group Company for managing all the Italian satellite activities. Telespazio operates space systems (earth stations and satellites) on international, regional and national basis with the INTELSAT, EUTELSAT and INMARSAT systems.
In a highly competitive environment, Telespazio also pursues new commercial opportunities in other areas such as remote sensing, in-orbit satellite management, television and mobile systems and advanced space programs. Telespazio combines a unique experience of operational and advanced system engineering capabilities. It has about 1,000 employees, distributed among its headquarters in Rome and its facilities, i.e.:
- the Fucino Space Centre (Central Italy),
- the Lario earth station (Northern Italy),
- the Scanzano earth station in Sicily (Southern Italy).
Telespazio also manages the laser stations for space geodesy at Matera, in the south of Italy, on behalf of the Italian Space Agency.
Major Areas of Activity
Telespazio's diversified activities and services can be briefly summarised as follows: Operation of space systems (earth stations and satellites).
TT&C for satellites in orbit (INTELSAT, ESA, COMSAT General, TRMS for Intelsat and Eutelsat).
Satellite earth remote sensing. Acquisition and processing of data received from various remote sensing satellites, distribution of relevant products and "ad hoc" services to end users.
In Orbit Testing (IOT), Control and Monitoring for INTELSAT, OLYMPUS and ITALSAT satellites.
Consulting Services to the Italian Space Agency and to other national and international Entities, both for earth station and satellite telecommunications system design. Operational experimentation and studies. Telecommunications experiments with Intelsat, Sirio and OTS satellites; studies for ESA, INTELSAT, ASI (Italian Space Agency), EUTELSAT, INMARSAT, EEC and others.
Turn-key systems design and implementation. In orbit operations ground facilities design and implementation.
Personal Communication Satellite Network (PCSN) and mobile systems.
arnoldo_giralda@telespazio.it
http: www.telespazio.it

2 - European Business Associates Srl (EBA)

European Business Associates Srl (EBA) is a professional services firm, specialised in project management and communication policy of international projects; the strategy of the company, created at the end of 1995, is based on the following axes:
- high level of specialisation and competence in the market with regards to consultancy and communication and dissemination strategy, project management and technological transfer of RTD results related to the European Union and other international organisations;
- a European and world-wide vision of the market with the objective of a European positioning in a niche market of high strategic value;
- a portfolio of clients who are market leaders at national and European level;
- a professional team recruited at European level.
EBA's strategy is finalised precisely at assisting the players of the local and central governments and the market operators to excel in their sectors, and using EBA's professional experience, to reach results which correspond to the ambitions and resources invested.
info@ebanet.it

3 - Space Engineering

Space Engineering S.p.A. is an Italian Company which began operations in 1989 and currently employs about 60 university-graduated engineers, with an annual turn-over in excess of 8.5 Million US$.
Its core business consists of space activities and its main mission is that of supporting and co-operating with Prime Contractors of important space activities, including manufacturing companies, space agencies and service providers. Space Engineering was so able to directly participate in major Italian and international space programs such as Artemis, Globalstar, Meteosat and SICRAL.
In addition, Space Engineering is currently diversifying in other 'non-space' markets especially in the fields of cellular radio, defence and wideband telecoms.
Space Engineering has the ability to participate in all the phases into which communications projects are typically structured, from system definition to hardware design, development and breadboarding. Space Engineering holds several international patents on antenna design, digital signal processing, scientific software and radar.
vernucci@space.it

4 - Aachen University of Technology

ComNets is the Chair of Communication Networks at Aachen University of Technology (RWTH), Germany. Research work at the chair relies on well proven methods, namely probability theory, applied statistics, theory of Markov processes, queuing theory and stochastic simulation. One main focus of work is on mathematical analysis and stochastic simulation of real systems, based on models, to define their characteristic traffic performance parameters. Another focus is on prototyping of newly developed protocols and services aimed to supplement or extend the applicability of communication networks. Basic research at ComNets includes the development of tools, which will then be used in application oriented research, which is performed in the framework of projects funded by third parties. Regional and national industrial companies and institutions, like the EU belong to the third parties.

ComNets will contribute to the Technical Management of the FUTURE project, a role which has been successfully fulfilled by the institute in many other European and national research projects. As far as the technical work itself is concerned, ComNets will contribute its outstanding experience in the field of traffic theory needed for quality of service (QoS) problems and in the field of communication protocols for mobile and fixed applications as well. Consequently, ComNets will lead the activities of functional design and implementation of QoS procedures in Access Network and assist the similar work dealing with Core Network. The institute has developed tools for the performance evaluation of formally specified protocols, which will allow to assess the quality of the developed protocols and procedures dealing with QoS and IP. ComNets will furthermore contribute to the design and specification of the IP based Call Control. Already mentioned experiences in the protocol implementation, integration in other systems and protocol testing will be used to contribute to the integration and trial part of the FUTURE project.

roki@comnets.rwth-aachen.de
http://www.comnets.rwth-aachen.de

5 - Siemens

In the FUTURE project SAGO/PSE will mainly be engaged in the analysis, design, and prototyping of an integrated IP based multimedia subsystem for UMTS beyond Release 00, comprising SIP Client/Proxy, interaction with UMS as integral part of the HSS, and a so-called Feature Server. Moreover, SAGO/PSE will spend considerable effort to the integration task of the overall FUTURE Demonstrator, which will heavily rely on commercial GPRS/UMTS equipment and a LAN infrastructure in the GSM2+/UMTS test field of SAGO/PSE. The major research interest is to explore the evolution of GSM/GPRS towards the mature UMTS to offer full-fledged mobile multimedia communication and information services. Special emphasis is given to elaborate future-proof mobile network architectures based on innovative concepts like the separation of communication control and bearer handling. SAGO/PSE will be work package leader of WP400 (IP based Multimedia Subsystem) and WP500 (Integration and Test). Hence, most effort of SAGO/PSE in the FUTURE project will be devoted to these WPs.
hermann.brand@siemens.at
http://www.siemens.at/
http://www.siemens.com/

6 – UniVAQ

The Computer Science group in the Sciences Faculty of the University of L'Aquila is constituted by 4 Full Professors, 3 Associate Professors, 11 Assistant Professors, 1 Research Associate and 8 PhD Students. The main investigated research areas include (basic and methodological research):
algorithms and data structures, graph theory, combinatorial optimization, operations research, parallel and distributed computing, scheduling, databases, semantic, formal methods for software and hardware specification and testing, computational logic and non monotonic reasoning. The applied research concerns programming languages, software architectures, software engineering, , multi-agent systems and algorithms for the communication in interconnection networks. Applied research is carried out in collaboration with hi-tech companies in Abruzzo, concerning optimization of material handling in manufacturing plants and design and optimization of ERP systems.
In the last years the research activity has given rise to more than 60 papers published in international journals and to about 180 papers appeared in the proceedings of international conferences.
http://univaq.it /~oil
arbib@univaq.it
ciasc@univaq.it

  7 – Ericsson

Ericsson Hellas S.A. (EH) is a 100% owned subsidiary of LM Ericsson AB in Greece. EH since 1992 has dominated the Greek mobile communications market by capturing almost 100% of the GSM infrastructure and over 45% of the mobile communications terminal market. EH has established a strong local organisation of highly experienced technical personnel over the last few years and today offers to all three GSM operators in Greece Panafon, Telestet and Cosmote a full range of professional services in support of their GSM networks. The last few years EH decided to actively participate in European R&D projects promoting collaborations with Universities and Research Institutes in Greece and abroad. EH has assumed the leadership of METAMORP, an R&D project under the 4^th Framework program dealing with measurements over "the GSM radio channel" forming a consortium with three leading European Operators and the Technical University of Wien
Evan.dimopoulos@etg.ericsson.se

8 – Integrasys

Integrasys is an SME software development and engineering company specialised in the design, development and integration of both Non Real Time and Real Time software for systems such as multimedia terminals, man machine interface GUIs, services access software for broadband interfaces and tailored turn-key measurement systems under computer control in the areas of quality assurance, conformance testing, satellite signal monitoring and surveillance and type approval test certification of telecommunications equipment. Integrasys methodologies for software analysis, design and development are based on objected oriented techniques. Our expertise is in C, C++, Java and SQL languages in UNIX , VxWorks and Microsoft environments. The Company is very familiar with a number of CASE and 4GL tools for software development, code edition, compilation, debugging and version control.
Integrasys has participated in the hardware integration and software development for building an automated test system for approval of trunked mobile radio terminal conforming MPT 1327 for DGTel Laboratories (Telecommunications Ministry of Spain).
Other projects were, Hardware integration and software development for building an automated test system for approval of E-TACS cellular user terminal conforming BABT recommendations and trunked mobile radio terminals conforming MPT1327 from British DTI for Telefonica de Espana S.A. NET-4 PSTN access type approval test system for D.G.Tel Laboratory (Spanish Telecom Ministry), and automated test system for approval of TV Satellite receivers for DGTel and Telefonica and Generalitat de Catalunya. ControlSat an automated monitoring and surveillance system for quality evaluation of signal received from communications satellites at Retevisión.
www.integrasys-sa.com
integrasys@integrasys-sa.com

9 - Ascom

ASCOM is an international industrial group, headquartered in Switzerland's capital Berne, and quoted on the Swiss stock exchange. ASCOM is active in selected segments of telecommunications and service automation. ASCOM's strengths lie in its concentration on core activities and combining these to produce global solutions. ASCOM has subsidiaries in all major European, North American, and Asian-Pacific markets as well as companies in Latin America. ASCOM's revenue for 1997 totalled CHF 2.95 billion. In 1997 almost 70 % of ASCOM's revenue came from outside of Switzerland (31% Switzerland, 48% Rest of Europe, 21% Rest of World). In 1997 ASCOM had 11600 employees, 5300 of them in Switzerland. The company is organised in 11 divisions, 7 in the area of Telecommunications (i. e. Carrier Access, Defence & Security, Paging, PBX, Telecom Power, Telecom Solutions, and Terminals) and 4 in the area of Service Automation (Cash Handling, Mailsys, Payphones, and Traffic). In Telecommunications ASCOM is present in Private & Business Communications (cordless telephone systems, cellular mobile phone terminals, PBXs, paging systems, personal information and alarm systems and defense communications) and Public Networks (implementation and management of public telecom networks).
ASCOM Systec Ltd. is an independent subsidiary of ASCOM. Part of the Telecommunications segment, it is ASCOM's centre of competence for defence and civilian communications and security systems. The Applicable Research & Technology Business Unit of ASCOM Systec employs 20 scientists and research engineers. Its mission is to maintain a leading edge competence for ASCOM in selected areas of Digital Communication, Pattern Recognition, and Signal Processing technologies. In digital communication systems, the focus is on the lower layers: coding, detection and modulation, signal processing algorithms, antenna design and propagation modelling and simulation, and radio protocols.
hanspeter.widmer@ascom.ch
http://www.ascom.com/art

RESULTS

In the FUTURE project the result will be that key functions of the envisaged full service IP based target UMTS will be identified, designed and demonstrated, using the VIRTUOUS Demonstrator as a starting point

• Adopting recent advances in the Internet arena in UMTS by exploring applicability of native internet protocols (in accordance with IETF multimedia data and control architecture) in 3G.
• The core network is consolidation towards a general purpose multi service UMTS connectivity network, legacy GSM/UMTS voice service migration to the consolidated packet based UMTS core network domain
• The introduction of a wide range of optimised multimedia communication and information services, based on SIP and Web/WAP techniques
• The integration of telephony services with information services is regarded as a base for end-user service multiplication and will be combined with inherent capabilities of S-UMTS satellites like wide area coverage, broadcasting, and location determination

DELIVERABLES

The deliverables indicated as public deliverables in the table here-below can be downloaded from a specific ftp server. In order to receive the address and password of this server, please send an e-mail specifying your name and address and the reason for requesting the deliverable to the Project Coordinator at: arnoldo_giralda@telespazio.it

Deliverables Code / Deliverable Title

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