CONFLUENT
Enabling Commercial Application of Convergent Service in Collaborative Networks of UMTS and DVB-T Systems.
  Home    Objectives    Scope    Project Overview    Innovation    Partners 
 
Objectives

Crucial to the commercial exploitation of any service combing UMTS and DVB-T is the availability of the following system elements:

  1. Handheld terminals for high-speed operation with low power consumption
  2. Service scenarios developed around core service identified for key network scenarios (e.g. hot spots versus large area coverage)
  3. API's adapted to the hybrid service and network concepts for mobile/portable terminals

Bridging a period of about 12 months this proposed RTD project will carry out the steps required to identify the work that needs to be completed for the above elements to be made available. It also bring together, from all relevant areas, key players who would form a nucleus of the FP6 umbrella project team. Thus, the FP6 umbrella activity can be defined and optimally ready for a direct and efficient start without time loss in the face of evolving market opportunities.

To achieve this target CONFLUENT will comprise the following core elements:

  1. The project will develop an integrated solution for space diversity reception using low-power front-end and processing). This is a prerequisite for the deployment of the hybrid service concept in a mobile environment.
  2. The core services and applications identified from all EU projects on converged network operation and mobile/portable terminals will be reviewed. Service scenarios will be developed around the core services identified for key network scenarios.
  3. The project will prove the concept of transferability of applications. This will be accomplished by enhancing the software API's of two terminals developed under different EU projects on hybrid services so that each offers applications developed for the other. A set of common functionalities will be extracted from the enhanced API profiles and published as a proposed minimum set of functionalities for the MHP-MOBILE tool kit that is intended to be the standard for API development in conformant hand-held/mobile terminals.

At the end of the proposed project, there will be:

  • A tested key technical solution to enable low-cost terminals for overcoming, under mobile conditions, the defisient byte-interleaving of DVB-T.
  • Software API's demonstrating the transferability of applications between different EU projects working in the field of converged DVVB-T/UMTS networks.
  • A number of service scenarios which will be the basis for consumer user validation in the envisaged FP6 umbrella activity.
  • Inputs to standardisation and regulatory bodies concerning a proposed minimum set of functionalities for the MHP-MOBILE toolkit.
  • Dissemination of results through trade fares, articles/press release, conference presentations etc. in order to inform the pertinent industry and to convince all key players to associate themselves with the envisaged FP6 umbrella activity.
  • Definition of a strategic FP6 umbrella project that can provide solutions for the elements needed for the commercial exploitation of services combining UMTS and DVB-T.

The carrying out of the proposed FP5 RTD project will thus sustain the technical development in the field of converged mobile/broadcast networks.