Small and Smart:
European Commission
I nforma ti on S oc i et y and M edi a
COMPONENTS AND SYSTEMS RESEARCH
IN EUROPE: 2009-2010
Editorial
Team:
Anna
KATRAMI
Susan
TOURNIS
Jean-Francois
BUGGENHOUT
Petr
JIRMAN
Berta
FERRER LLOSA
Zulema
OLIVAN TOMAS
Raquel
LOPEZ LOZANO
ISBN 978-92-79-18763-6
Pedro
PIRES
doi:10.2759/15175
© European Union, 2010
Thomas R.
HAUB
1 Nano
PAGE 611
2 Micro
PAGE 1217
3 Photonics
PAGE 1825
4 Embedded
PAGE 2631
5 Transport
PAGE 3239
Did you ever wonder how it is possible that your brand new mobile phone, no heavier than
your very first one bought 10 years ago, allows you to take and exchange wonderful pictures or videos, find your way in unknown cities thanks to its integrated navigation system,
read and write emails everywhere, listen to your favourite music and do even much more?
And how your own car tells you how much it consumes, indicates the tyre pressure, avoids
skidding when breaking in an emergency, and will soon be able to call emergency services
automatically in case of a severe accident? Did you ever imagine making your weekly shopping without having to scan all the products you buy, by just dropping them into the trolley
and looking at the amount you have to pay on its embedded screen? Many of these very
exciting applications are or will soon be possible due to the fantastic progress of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), and in particular at the level of micro and
nanotechnology components and embedded software.
Today, electronic systems are all around us. Following Moore’s law, the size of electronic
devices (transistors) is constantly being reduced, allowing the number of transistors on
an electronic circuit to double every two years. This trend has been respected since the
early 1970s, when the first silicon chips were made with about 2300 transistors and ran at
0,47MHz. The most recent devices include more than 2 billion transistors and operate at a
frequency above 2000MHz! Smaller, more complex and powerful computing devices can
thus be produced, which consume less energy and can be integrated everywhere. Sensors
of all types (temperature, pressure, acceleration…) can now be integrated into these electronic devices. Recent research even makes it possible to bind organic molecules directly
into silicon chips, enabling the creation a new range of circuits that automatically detect
micro-organisms or pollutants. Analysis kits will soon be the size of an MP3 player, allowing
your doctor to quickly make his diagnosis when you are ill, or integrating automatic water
pollution control in every tap!
The ICT application fields are constantly broadening and, as a consequence, electronics is
becoming present everywhere, in many forms. The latest developments in the area of organic electronics have made it possible to print electronic circuits on flexible foils, just like
photos are printed. Such devices could for example be integrated in a T-shirt and constantly
monitor important health parameters such as heart rate and blood pressure. Furthermore,
Editorial
the progress made in photonics technologies such as photovoltaics and high efficiency lighting (LED) is of utmost
importance in the current thrive to be more energy efficient.
LEDs are now being used in our houses, in cars and even
for urban lighting!
With the increased complexity of components and systems, the development of efficient embedded software
has been paramount for the management of increased
functionality and intelligence. Europe is at the forefront of
this discipline and intends to keep its leadership through
the huge research efforts spent in the domain.
All these very exciting technologies have already produced
extraordinary results. But Europe will not stop here, and
continues investing in quality R&D initiatives and supports
thousands of researchers in universities, research centres,
and industry, including SMEs. Such investments enable
the development of novel technologies, allowing for innovative ICT Components and Systems to be created and
used in groundbreaking applications, thus helping Europe
to meet the numerous challenges of our modern society.
This magazine will give you a taste of the latest developments and achievements in European research in: Nanoelectronics, Microsystems, Photonics, Embedded systems
Nano
and Control, and Transport, in 2009 and early 2010.
1
Happy reading!
Thierry Van der Pyl,
Director Components and Systems,
DG Information Society and Media,
European Commission, Brussels
NANOELECTRONICS 
SMALL AND SMART
T
he smallest thing your eye can
stability, dashboard, entertainment
see might be a strand of hair or
system, navigation and more. In the
a silk fibre. If you try to imagine
future, we can expect further reduction
something a thousand times smaller,
in emissions with computer-controlled
services, but loss of the ability to in-
you’ve reached the mysterious realm of
hybrid engines, and collision avoidance
novate in those sectors with the greatest
the nanoworld where billions of elec-
for pedestrians and other vehicles.
potential for value creation and growth
tronic devices can be made at molecu-
in the long-term.
In order to stay competitive, Europe
has to be the pioneer in developing
The European Commission (EC) real-
tomorrow’s technology. Electronics,
izes that investing in nanoelectronics
which today is a lead manufacturing
today is investing in future innovation.
industry, generates more added value
Thus, in order to reach the EU’s goals in
than any other manufacturing sector;
this area the EC:
at €1140bn in 2008, its market size is
• Promotes, coordinates and supports
bigger than that of the automotive in-
research, education and innovation
dustry. All innovation in services and in
in the two main fields of nanoelec-
lar level, e.g. in the space of just a few
most industrial products relies on elec-
tronics (designing chips and manu-
square millimetres. When combined
tronics to some extent. Without them,
facturing chips);
with powerful and reliable software,
Europe can neither maintain its current
• Promotes cooperation between Mem-
these miniature electronic devices can
position in high value-added sectors,
ber States and industry by means of a
deliver new features and services for
nor can it innovate in new products
public private partnership (ENIAC JU);
improving our daily lives. Such nanoe-
and services on which growth and jobs
lectronics and computing technologies
depend. Advances in electronics (cost
trigger and serve innovation in many
and functionality) critically depend on
industrial and socio-economic sectors
advances in micro and nanoelectronics
including telecommunications, trans-
components. However, the sector faces
port, consumer goods, manufacturing,
a number of challenges, including frag-
healthcare and energy. For example, a
mentation of its research and competi-
car today has anything between fifty
tive pressures from other regions of the
and a hundred electronic chips which
world. At risk are not just short-term
control the engine, steering, braking,
opportunities for new products and
6
Nano
• Monitors the general trends in the
sector including promotion; of dia-
cluding industry, research institutes,
More information on:
academia and policy makers;
http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/ict/nano-
logue with all the key stakeholders in-
electronics/
PUSHING THE LIMITS
OF CHIP MINIATURISATION
O
ver the last four decades, computer chips have found their way
into virtually every electronic
device in the world. During that time they
have become smaller, cheaper and more
powerful. But, for a team of European
researchers, there is still plenty of scope
to push back the limits of miniaturisation.
The first generation of CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor)
chips were based on a design process with lithographic features defin-
more power means that electronic sys-
and more computing power for the
ing regions inside the transistors of
tems – mobile phones, PCs, satellites,
same price. It’s why things like mobile
10 micrometres or more. The chips
vehicles, etc. – will gain in functional-
phones, LCD TVs and DVD players
in most products in use today have
ity and performance. And, because the
are coming down in price,” notes Gilles
features more than a hundred times
processed silicon wafers out of which
Thomas, the director of R&D Coopera-
smaller – just 65 nanometres (nm) or
chips are made are expensive. Using
tive Programs at STMicroelectronics in
90nm, approximately 1,000 times less
less of them to do more means the
Crolles, France, the world’s fifth big-
than the width of a human hair. That
trend towards such devices becom-
gest semiconductor manufacturer and
may be small, but in the competitive
ing cheaper can continue.
Europe’s largest chip supplier.
“The semiconductor industry is in the
Over the last five years, STMicroelec-
business of selling square millime-
tronics has coordinated two large EU-
A reduction in size means more
tres of silicon. So, by cramming more
funded projects to push back the limits
transistors per chip, more transistors
transistors into a chip you’re deliver-
of miniaturisation in the semiconduc-
means more computing power, and
ing more capacity, more functionality
tor industry. The NanoCMOS initia-
semiconductor industry, where size is of
high importance, it is not small enough.
tive, that ended 3 years ago, developed
REDUCING ENERGY
CONSUMPTION IN
ELECTONIC PRODUCTS
the technology to create a 45nm gen-
was working on developing transistors
I
like automobile, transportation, health,
sequence, controlling leakage power
integrated in silicon as small as 32nm
entertainment, and domotics, all are re-
recently became a major issue during
and even 22nm. At that diminutive
sponsible for substantial consumption of
chip design. The development of coun-
size, semiconductor manufacturing
energy and at the same time considerably
ter measures, consisting of methods
is continuing to test Moore’s Law, an
high CO2 emission.
and tools for automated design and
eration (or technology node) of chips.
A follow-up project, called PULLNANO, has recently been finished and
ncreasing internet usage, a grow-
nano-meters, the power consump-
ing computer market, electronic
tion due to transistor leakage currents
devices in vast application domains,
has increased dramatically. As a con-
assumption spelled out by Intel co-
optimization of electronic devices,
founder Gordon E Moore, in 1965,
In ICT, power consumption further-
i.e. EDA-tools, was the main objective
predicting that the number of transis-
more determines functionality and
of the CLEAN project, funded by the
tors that can be cost-effectively placed
availability (e.g.
European Com-
on a chip will double approximately
experienced
mission in the
every two years.
through bat-
context of the
tery runtime of
6 th Framework
“The work of NanoCMOS and PULL-
mobile devices).
Programme for
NANO has moved in that direction,
For
research and
although there is probably 12 or 15
energ y
con-
technological
more years to go before we hit a practi-
sumption is a
development as
cal and economical limit on how small
major cost and
a 3-year Inte-
the transistors can become,” Thomas
societal concern. A VLSI circuit not
grated Project. Led by STMicroelec-
Gilles explains (STMicroelectronics).
matching the power constraints has
tronics, the projects results will enable
to be re-designed, increasing product
new energy-aware products and serv-
Source: The whole article about
costs drastically, and leading to a late
ices, significantly reducing the energy
PULLNANO can be found on the ICT
market penetration.
consumption image of ICT.
eu/ictresults/index.cfm/section/news/
Within excess of several billion digital
More information on:
tpl/article/BrowsingType/Features/
transistors on a single chip and with
http://clean.offis.de
ID/89282
transistor feature sizes of only a few
Europe,
Results website: http://cordis.europa.
8
Nano
STATEOFTHEART TOOLS AND
TECHNOLOGIES FOR UNIVERSITIES
AND INDUSTRY
T
he current EUROPRACTICE
th
electronics, are very complex and very
IC4 project, part of the 7 Frame-
expensive. A huge investment is needed,
work Programme for research
both financial and in personnel, in order
By having
and technological development, is widely
to be able to adopt those technologies in
access and being stimulated to use new
recognized as a world-class service offer-
new product development. This continual
state-of-the-art design tools and technolo-
ing state-of-the-art chip design tools and
need for investment in new technology
gies for chip and microsystems design, uni-
technologies to universities and industry.
and trained personnel will continue to
versities will be able to keep in the technol-
be a major challenge for the foreseeable
ogy league and enhance their curricula to
Today, technologies, products and serv-
future as for example nanotechnology
deliver well-trained engineers to the market.
ices are changing at lightning speed and
and biotechnology emerge in the design
markets are becoming more global. We
arena.
are therefore facing enormous challenges.
Through this unique service, started
20 years ago as the EC-funded project
New ICT products are increasingly be-
The use of system level integration in new
Eurochip, today 650 European universi-
coming more complex and development
product developments will be crucial to
ties use the same state-of-the-art IC and
cycles must be shortened to compete with
the success of European industry in future
microsystems design tools, use the same
other products in the global marketplace.
world markets. However European indus-
advanced IC and microsystems technolo-
Complete systems in one chip (SoC) or in
try currently suffers from a lack of trained
gies throughout Europe. Students and re-
one package (SiP) are heterogeneous and
SoC engineers. In order to increase Eu-
searchers are trained on the same design
include sensors and actuators and must
ropean competitiveness, Europe needs to
tools, on the same technologies, allowing
be developed by multidisciplinary teams
master both the supply and use of these
them to easily work together on common
in a highly efficient and timely manner.
new emerging technologies.
research projects. Every year the EURO-
The complexity of microelectronics based
PRACTICE IC4 project makes available
methods, chip design tools and technolo-
The EUROPRACTICE IC4 project offers
the newest versions of the design tools and
gies are increasing even more rapidly than
easy and affordable access to chip/sub-
fabricates about 370 prototype samples of
before. The new technologies, such as mi-
systems/Microsystems design tools and
chips designed at European universities
croelectronics system-on-Chip and opto-
affordable access to chip prototyping to
and research centers.
about 550 universities and 100 research
institutes from EU member states and
More information on:
“extended” Europe.
http://www.europractice-ic.com/
EUROPE BOOSTS INDUSTRIAL
RESEARCH IN NANOELECTRONICS
THROUGH A PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE ENIAC
A
n unprecedented € 3 billion
and by the European Parliament at
high levels of miniaturisation in the
will be invested in nanoelec-
the end of 2007. This initiative, called
myriad of applications and high-tech
tronics, with the launch of a
ENIAC, is a public-private partnership
products which are emerging today.
major Joint Technology Initiative (JTI)
which targets nanoelectronics, the
endorsed by the Council of Ministers
technology that enables increasingly
To promote economies of scale, cost
savings and much shorter times to
«It is the smallest technologies that
which has a budget of € 3 billion over
market for products based on these
are taking the largest leaps forward,
10 years is a concrete way to ensure
technologies, and so to keep Europe-
and our industries must do the same»,
that such a key industrial sector con-
an industry at the forefront of global
said Viviane Reding, former EU Com-
tinues its strong economic growth,
developments in these fields, the EU
missioner for Information Society
right here in Europe. It is only thanks
has decided following a Commission
and Media. «The possibilities offered
to the support received for ENIAC
proposal of May 2007, to pioneer an
by nanoelectronics are only limited
from the European Parliament and
entirely new way of funding such
by our imagination. They underpin
from the Council that we can launch
research in Europe. The Commis-
all aspects of everyday devices and so
this new research initiative today».
sion and the EU Member States who
concern everyone in Europe. ENIAC
wish to participate are pooling their
public funding with universities and
10
Nano
industry, including many innovative
was clearly met: Projects should aim
SMEs, by setting up a public-private
at large strategic initiatives and should
partnership. While research funding
bring together major European ICT
Founding members:
in nanelectronics so far tends to be
players with SMEs, universities or
• European Community
fragmented in small projects funded
research centres to form geographi-
(represented by the Commission)
by individual Member States and
cally spread consortia. Proposals also
• Member States
agencies, the new «open» partnership
cover all 3 social and economically
• AENEAS (industrial association)
ENIAC allows Member States and the
important key lead markets targeted
Commission to co-operate and co-
in this first call: transport & mobility;
Budget (2008-17) is up to € 3 billion
finance pan-European research ini-
security & safety; and energy & envi-
European Community: € 0.45 billion
tiatives focussed on a strategic agenda
ronment as well as design, equipment,
Member States and Associated Coun-
set by Industry itself.
material and manufacturing.
tries : € 0.8 billion
FACTS:
Private sector: € 1.7 billion
ENIAC 1ST & 2ND CALL: STATE OF PLAY
The response to the 2nd call in 2009,
The ENIAC Joint Undertaking
implemented for the first time in two
More information on:
launched its first call for proposals
phases, was significantly higher (twice
http://www.eniac.eu
th
on May 8 2008. The call successfully
the number of proposals received)
closed on September 3rd 2008.
and more SMEs were involved. The
evaluation and the subsequent selec-
A total of 158 organisations from 20
tion by the Public Authorities Board
different European countries were
(PAB) delivered a good portfolio of 11
involved in 12 proposals. Most, if
projects, covering the various themes
not all, major actors in the Euro-
and application fields identified in
pean semiconductor industry were
the ENIAC work programme and for
included. Around 47% of the compa-
a total requested public funding of
nies are SMEs representing 22% of the
102.3 M€. These projects started their
requested funding. Seven proposals
operation at the beginning of 2010.
with the highest potential to generate successful projects were selected
At the moment, the following Member
for funding (public funding in these
States participate in ENIAC: Austria,
projects equals to 97 M€).
Belgium, Czech Republic, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece,
With an average of more than 20
Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Neth-
participants and a cost of 35 M€ per
erlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal,
proposal, one of the main objectives
Romania, Slovak Republic, Spain,
for launching the Joint Undertaking
Sweden, and the United Kingdom.
Micro
2
MICROSYSTEMS
IN YOUR LIFE
S
mall portable systems that
the myriad of applications enabled by
Key domains covered by EU-funded
can detect bacteria in the
Microsystems that are present in our
research are medical technologies, en-
food chain and ensure the
lives and contribute to improve the
ergy efficient Microsystems, Microsys-
quality of the food we eat; implants
quality of life of European citizens.
tems for the Internet of Smart Things,
that restore limited vision in certain
smart manufacturing, and smart fab-
types of blindness or restore hearing
At European level, we are funding re-
and reduce the size of external hear-
search projects that develop and in-
ing devices; intelligent clothes that
tegrate the heterogeneous hardware
More information on:
monitor vital signs and revolutionise
technologies that make these applica-
http://cordis.europa.eu/micro-nano-
healthcare and emergency response;
tions possible as well as enable them to
systems
autonomous energy efficient systems
achieve customer demands for increas-
http://cordis.europa.eu/ims
that contribute to reduce carbon foot-
ingly more complex, higher quality,
print: these are just a few examples of
lower cost and more reliable systems.
rics and interactive textiles.
A LAB IN THE PALM OF YOUR HAND
T
he work carried out in the Op-
perform many of the tests normally
bacteria to be performed in a port-
toLabCard project is leading to
carried out in a full-sized laboratory,
able, easy-to-use and cost-effective
the development of small port-
has been around ever since the appear-
chip. Their work could also be used
able devices that can detect bacteria in
ance of the micro-electro-mechanical
to develop portable devices that can
the food chain and help ensure the food
systems (MEMS) technology. However,
identify pathogens and pollution in
on family dinner tables is safe to eat.
the cost of producing such a system
water supplies or detect diseases as
and the failure of many developers
diverse as cancer, hepatitis, AIDS and
There is no quick and simple way to
to incorporate a means of preparing
flu in humans.
detect infectious bacteria on farms, or
samples on the spot has meant that few
even in food processing and distribu-
have gone into commercial use.
tion plants. Samples have to be sent
What sets the OptoLabCard prototype apart from previous devices is
to labs for testing, a process that can
Now, a team of European researchers
the material used to manufacture the
take hours or days. The idea of a lab-
within the OptoLabCard project has
components of the chip, and the way
on-a-chip, a device small enough for
addressed these problems by creating
in which samples are prepared prior
someone to carry around but able to
a prototype that allows DNA tests on
to testing. Using a single material for
12
Micro
most components makes the chips
rating sample preparation into the
More information on:
simpler and cheaper to produce. The
chip means that users can effectively
http://www.optolabcard.com
chip itself is disposable, while a reader
replicate laboratory processes out in
or base unit contains all the electron-
the field.
ics and optics. Meanwhile, incorpo-
ON THE WAY TO BETTER
UNDERSTAND THE HUMAN BRAIN
T
he NeuroProbes project helps
applications, such as the management
to complex brain areas and interact with
researchers to investigate the
of intractable epilepsy, and prosthetics
them, not only electrically but also chemi-
relationships between groups
for vision and hearing restoration.
cally, by sensing substances and also deliv-
of neurons and, as a consequence, fur-
ering drugs. Additionally, by integrating
ther the understanding of mechanisms
Compared to similar systems, Neuro-
electrodes in the needle-like probes, it is
underlying a number of diseases and
Probes differentiates itself by enabling
possible to attain much finer spatial reso-
conditions such as behavioural disorders.
unprecedented three-dimensional access
lution, to search for signals of interest and
to a large number of neurons over long
scan the brain tissue at the cellular level.
The NeuroProbes project has the objec-
periods of time. Thanks to a modular
tive of developing tools for recording
approach, NeuroProbes makes it pos-
More information on:
and stimulating individual neurons
sible to assemble systems that conform
http://naranja.umh.es/~np
in the brain to enable researchers to
understand fundamental brain processes at cellular level. Although these
are research tools, NeuroProbes also
aims to evaluate their use in clinical
WHEN CLOTHES BECOME SMART
C
lothes that monitor your heart,
of this area, which represents a market
ers, is developing a system to monitor
measure the chemical compo-
thought to be worth over €300M; and
the wearer and the outside environ-
sition of your body fluids or
many projects, grouped in the SFIT
ment, or the STELLA project, which
keep track of you and your local en-
cluster, are tackling some of the sector’s
is developing stretchable electronics
vironment are now feasible and will
toughest challenges. These projects are de-
for large area applications.
revolutionise healthcare and emergen-
veloping new applications and innovative
cy response. Critical research issues
solutions to the current problems, leading
More information on:
enabling these smart clothes are being
to new markets ranging from clothes for
http://www.csem.ch/sfit
investigated by a group of EU-funded
emergencies and health monitoring, to
http://www.proetex.org
research projects.
sporting and medical applications.
http://www.stella-project.de
http://www.context-project.org
Smart fabrics and interactive textiles
A few examples of the projects in this
(SFIT) –material that incorporates
domain are: CONTEXT, which has
clever electronics or cunning mole-
developed contactless sensors for the
cules- is thriving. However, they entail
prevention of lower back pain and re-
research challenges, too. Smart textiles
petitive strain syn-
must be comfortable, their technology
drome; BIOTEX,
must be unobtrusive, they must with-
which has devel-
stand a difficult and variable environ-
oped sensors that
ment and, particularly for medical and
can measure body
emergency applications, they must be
fluids like sweat,
absolutely reliable.
PROETEX which
Europe has been fast to spot the potential
targets rescue workers like fire fight-
FLEXIBLE
DISPLAYS
FOR THE
MASS
MARKET
14
E
http://www.biotex-eu.com
uropean researchers within
ise packaging, advertising and even
the ROLLED project have de-
clothing since it can be used to prevent
veloped a flexible OLED ele-
product copying, to measure the fresh-
ment that can be manufactured using
ness of food contained in packages or
printing technology. This cost-effective
to attract the attention of customers
method for mass manufacturing flex-
when embedded in product packaging
ible displays promises to revolution-
or supermarket shelves.
Micro
An OLED is an organic light emitting
The first demonstrator was presented
to print OLED displays is clearly lower
diode, functioning in a way similar to
as a two-colour OLED element that is
compared to other techniques, and the
traditional LED lights. Importantly, the
attached to a product package. When
speed of production is higher than in
power consumption of the OLED light
the package is unopened, a green tick
traditional production methods. The
source is very low. Using organic materi-
is displayed. When the package is
savings achieved can be up to half of the
als, OLED light elements can be afford-
opened, the fuse is blown and the tick
traditional production costs of OLED
ably manufactured using printing meth-
changes into a red cross. The second
elements manufactured using a glass
ods on large, flexible surfaces. In the
demonstration showed how the OLED
substrate. The expertise developed dur-
ROLLED project, a cost-effective manu-
element can be powered by an NFC
ing the production of flexible OLED el-
facturing method for mass manufactur-
telephone. The EU flag was printed on
ements can also be applied to the print-
ing flexible displays was tested in two
a business card. When an NFC phone
ing of solar cells used as a power source
demonstration tests. In addition, this
was placed near the card, the stars
for various small portable devices.
method can also be applied to the print-
printed with the OLED elements lit up.
ing of solar cells used as a power source
The acquisition cost of the equipment
More information on:
for various small portable devices.
needed in the manufacturing process
http://www.vtt.fi/proj/rolled
SMART SYSTEMS FOR BETTER HEALTH
AND QUALITY OF LIFE
A
round 50% of the population
A consortium of 27 universities, re-
will suffer from at least one of
search centers, hospitals, IT compa-
the health problems targeted in
nies and manufacturers in the Healthy
the Healthy Aims project. The advances
Aims project have created in record
made thus offer new hope to millions of
time advanced medical solutions to
patients suffering from conditions such
help the ageing population and people
as stroke and incontinence, and diseases
with disabilities. The Healthy Aims
has also realized a cochlear implant to
affecting our eyes, ears and brains.
project has demonstrated innovative
restore hearing and reduce the size of
prototypes and clinically tested a func-
external hearing aids, and an implant
tional electrical stimulator for muscle
to measure the pressure inside the brain
movement or bladder control follow-
cavity, a crucial diagnostic for sufferers
ing a stroke or illness, and an implant
of hydrocephalus where an excess of
device to restore limited vision in cer-
fluid can damage the brain. From the
tain types of blindness. Healthy Aims
European Union’s perspective, this new
generation of medical implants have
the potential to improve the quality of
life for millions of Europeans and reduce the costs of long-term treatment.
All these products share a small number
project, that will give the European
More information on:
of core Microsystems technologies,
medical devices industry a range of
http://www.healthyaims.org
developed within the Healthy Aims
techniques for the future.
TOWARDS MORE FLEXIBLE FLAT
ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS
M
echanically flexible elec-
just 20μm. This yields an extremely thin,
Figure 1 illustrates that very compact
tronic systems conform
flexible packaging method. Of particu-
structures of high functional density can
to the shape of the object
lar advantage is that chip, polyimide and
be achieved by embedding a microcon-
they are mounted to, at a weight that
metallization layers all are thin enough
troller chip in a flexible substrate, in this
is much below their rigid predecessors.
to be elastically bendable. This embed-
case to make a wireless ECG (electro-
The transition from rigid components
ded structure can be mounted on a rigid
cardiogram) monitor.
to smart flexible circuits follows a
board or a flexible carrier. But it is equally
trend that can be seen in all application
well suited for substituting unhoused
More information on:
areas and to which the SHIFT project
chips in a stack of board layers. Appro-
http://www.vdivde-it.de/portale/shift
is contributing by developing the tech-
priate fan-out metallization for wider
nologies that enable it.
connector grids makes the alignment of
this structure on the board less critical.
The SHIFT project has developed a
technology for an ultra-thin chip package (UTCP), which is just 100μm thick.
With its UTCP, SHIFT has established
a technology for integrating semiconductor chips in flexible boards based on
polyimides. The UTCP concept permits
very flat structures. After thinning the
chips to less than 30μm, they are placed
between two polyimide layers measuring
16
Micro
SMART MANUFACTURING
The report concludes with a list of recommendations for ICT deployment
activities in the short-to-medium term
I
n January 2008, the European Com-
Consultation Group involved the process
(2009-2015) and a summary of R&D
mission adopted a far-reaching
industries, discrete manufacturing and
needs for new ICT benefiting manufac-
package of concrete measures dem-
semiconductor manufacturing industries.
turing in the long term (2015-2020). It is
onstrating that agreed climate change
Technology providers, in particular ICT
expected that the proposed measures will
targets are technologically and eco-
providers, made significant contributions.
help manufacturing to move away from
nomically feasible and provide a unique
The Group also involved representatives
the dominating economic paradigm of
business opportunity for thousands of
from academic institutions, European
«maximum gain from minimum capital»
European companies. With its Com-
universities and research institutes, spe-
towards a more sustainable paradigm of
munication «Addressing the Challenges
cialised in this R&D field. The findings
«maximum value from a minimum of
of Energy Efficiency through Informa-
have been laid down in a report.
spent resources».
tion and Communication Technologies»
presented in May 2008, the Commission
The report provides a consolidated
underlined the role of ICT as an enabler
summary of suggestions made by the
of energy efficiency across the economy.
Consultation Group. Firstly, it identifies
opportunities for ICT to reduce the car-
The Communication proposed the set-
bon footprint of Europe’s manufacturing
ting up of Consultation Groups with
industry. It then provides an analysis of
More information on:
industrial and societal stakeholders to
the significance of manufacturing for
ftp://ftp.cordis.europa.eu/pub/fp7/
investigate opportunities offered by ICT
Europe’s economy, wealth and jobs, it
ict/docs/micro-nanosystems/smart-
to increase energy efficiency through-
analyses the share of manufacturing on
manufacturing_en.pdf
out the economy. As nearly one third of
Europe’s energy consumption and then at-
global energy demand and CO2 emis-
tempts to consolidate estimates for savings
sions is attributable to manufacturing,
potentials in industry through the use of
a systems approach, enabled by ICT,
intelligent devices on the shop floor and
which transcends process and sector
embedded control. The savings potential
boundaries seems to offer significant
for various manufacturing activity areas
potential for savings.
is summarised below:
In July 2008, the Commission organised
a consultation meeting with industry in
order to assess the potential for savings in
manufacturing through ICT. The industry
represented in this Smart Manufacturing
Photonics
3
PHOTONICS WHAT & WHY
M
any of the applications and
produce on our computer, in particular if
devices we solicit every day
we embed one or more digital pictures.
which are only possible
Today, we have CDs, DVDs or blue-ray
thanks to photonics go unnoticed by
discs which have a capacity of up to 50
communication and health to DVD play-
most people. Our modern communi-
GByte (almost 50 thousand times more
ers and manufacturing) and FTTH: fiber
cation services would not be possible
capacity than a floppy disk) which is
to the home. Other emerging applica-
without the lasers, optical fibres and
sufficient to store a complete movie in
tions are biophotonics, sensing for safety
photodiodes. The telex would still be
HDTV format.
and security, etc. The photonics area has
all the essential elements for success:
our main service to send documents
around the world. Transnational and in
What is photonics then? It is the physics
th
a first-rate existing knowledge base in
particular transatlantic communications
of the 20 century and the products of
the research community; a world-class
would be extremely expensive. All ap-
the 21st century. Pierre Aigrain described
industry which is getting organised; in-
plications relying on the transmission
it as follows: «Photonics is the science
creased national and European research
of large amounts of data, at high speed,
of the harnessing of light. Photonics en-
funding; and outstanding co-operation
affordable costs and with practically con-
compasses the generation of light, the
with industry through the Photonics21
stant availability could not be supported
detection of light, the management of
technology platform. With these, we can
without the underlying photonics net-
light through guidance, manipulation,
help to ensure a strong, successful and
work technology. Another example of the
and amplification, and, most importantly,
globally competitive European phot-
comfort photonic technology provides
its utilisation for the benefit of mankind.»
onics industry, based on excellent and
us: can you remember the times when
responsive research, for the benefit and
the non-erasable memory of a computer
Photonics is omni-present in our eve-
wellbeing of everyone. Photonics will be
was the floppy disc with a total capacity
ryday life: from the cameras on mobile
the technology of the 21st century, and
of 1.4 MByte? Nowadays, this is hardly
phones to LED lighting, photovoltaics,
this is an area where the efforts of the
sufficient to store a typical document we
lasers (which are used everywhere from
Commission can make a real difference!
PHOTONICS21 TECHNOLOGY
PLATFORM
P
hotonics21 was founded in Decem-
the area of Photonics. In 2009 there were
of Photonics21 is to simulate greater and
ber 2005, based on an industry-
over 1400 members from 49 countries and
more effective investment in research and
led initiative encouraged by the
together they represent the entire photonics
development, to accelerate innovation and
European Commission in 2004. It brings
sector, including industrialists, researchers,
to eliminate barriers to the deployment and
together the key stakeholders in Europe in
academics and policy makers. The purpose
growth of new Photonic technologies.
18
Photonics
ing and Quality; WG3-Life Science and
of Education and Research. Photonics21
Health; WG4-Lighting and Displays;
had taken the initiative to continously
WG5-Security, Metrology and Sensors;
monitor the markets to cover all of
WG6-Components and Systems; WG7-
Europe. The results are very revealing
Research Education and Training.
about the position of photonics and provide reflections in the latest SRA
Each Working Group is responsible
for updating the relevant section of the
More information on:
Strategic Research Agenda, as well as
http://www.photonics21.org/
Through a vision shared with industrial
giving recommendations to the public
and public actors, it has the critical mass
authorities and identifying opportuni-
necessary for visionary and industri-
ties for cooperation, mutual support and
ally relevant R&D in photonic compo-
joint activities. Strategic research topics
nents, systems and applications. One of
as well as relevant markets are continu-
the main tools for creating this shared
ously monitored.
vision is the Strategic Research Agenda, presenting medium to long term
In December 2007 the study ‘Photonics
objectives for R&D in Photonics. The
in Europe: Economic Impact’ was pub-
activities of Photonics21 are organised
lished. This study was based on a survey
according to Working Groups. These
of the photonics market in Germany,
are: WG1-Information and Commu-
carried out by Optech Consulting at the
nication; WG2-Industrial Manufactur-
request of the German Federal Ministry
PLUGGING THE ‘GREEN GAP’
TINY LASERS FOR MINIPROJECTORS
L
aser diodes, widely used in de-
where high brightness is required, such
energy-efficient enough to be integrat-
vices such as barcode readers,
as for light projection.
ed into portable devices such as laptop
CD players and laser pointers,
computers or even mobile phones.
miss out on the green part of the light
There is a growing commercial inter-
spectrum (the so-called ‘green gap’),
est in using new laser technology that
Novel compact high-brightness la-
an obstacle which has proven to be dif-
generates high-brightness light across
sers which meet these requirements
ficult to overcome using conventional
the full range of colors including green
and are suitable for mass produc-
technology. They are also unsuitable
and to make light projectors small and
tion are now within reach, thanks to
the pioneering results achieved in the
NATAL project. The breakthrough
results of the project closely relate to
advances in novel nano-structured
laser materials, paving the road for
commercial high-brightness miniature
laser diodes that enable compact digital
projectors and a host of other potential
applications in industry, medicine and
scientific research.
More information on:
http://www.orc.tut.fi/natal.html
PHOTONICS4LIFE AND THE VISION
FOR TOMORROW’S HEALTH CARE
B
offers
some
the aim of creating the critical mass
invasive diagnosis, therapy and point-
powerful
tools
needed in order to unleash the true
of-care diagnosis and optical micro-
which have the potential
potential of biophotonics. The research
manipulation and therapy.
of transforming the fields of health
activities of Photonics4Life include
care and life sciences. The poten-
photonic technologies for the analysis
More information on:
tial includes very early and accurate
of cell processes, non- and minimally
www.photonics4life.eu
iophotonics
uniquely
detection of diseases allowing prevention or treatment with greatly increase
success rates, faster detection through
point-of-care diagnosis, more effective
personalized treatment, and ultimately deeper understanding of the very
origins and mechanisms of diseases.
The network of excellence Photonics4Life has brought together top experts in the field of Biophotonics with
20
Photonics
NEMO  A ONESTOP SHOP FOR ALL
YOUR MICROOPTICAL SOLUTIONS
M
icro-optics is a term which
of a journey of four-and-a-half years.
and will continue to play a role in en-
covers a range of micro-
In this time it has brought together
gaging European industry to offer a
scale optical structures
over 30 top European players in mi-
competitive edge in this very global
and components such as micro-lenses,
cro-optics who cover the full chain
market.
wave-guides and gratings. Micro-op-
of expertise and capabilities needed
tics plays an essential role in a large
in this area. NEMO has successfully
More information on:
range of applications from sensing to
demonstrated its ability to provide the
www.micro-optics.org/
displays and communications.
full range of services and capabilities
in a wide range of research and indus-
The Network of Excellence on Micro-
trial projects. Although NEMO has
Optics, NEMO has reached the end
reached its end, activities will live on
POLYCOM: A NEW
PLASTIC OPTICAL
FIBRE TECHNOLOGY
P
lastic optical fibre (POF) for
stricting their use to sending data over
derlies it is extensive... and its develop-
data transmission is often de-
short distances at relatively low speeds.
ment beyond the current state of the
scribed as the “consumer” ver-
As a result, POF networks have mostly
art could benefit a wide range of sec-
sion of glass optical fibre, the kind that
been used as an alternative to copper
tors over the coming years,” explains
makes up the long-distance trunk routes
wires for short-distance – or so-called
Guglielmo Lanzani, a researcher at Mi-
of telecommunications networks.
last-mile – data transmission.
lan Technical University and coordinator of POLYCOM.
Flexible plastic fibres, with a core diam-
Novel research by the team of POLY-
Source: ICT results article 19/10/09
eter of 1mm and made from polyme-
COM project has helped put POF on
http://cordis.europa.eu/ictresults/index.
thyl methacrylate (PMMA), are cheap
track for use in optical computing,
cfm?section=news&tpl=article&Brows
to produce, easy to install and transmit
ultra-high-speed LANs, new sensing
ingType=Features&ID=90941
light in the visible range as opposed
devices and even clothing that lights
to infrared, making maintenance
up for safety or simply fashion.
easier and safer. But those properties
More information on:
http://www.fisi.polimi.it/polycom/
typically come at the expense of lower
“The range of applications for POF
bandwidth and high attenuation, re-
and the optical technology that un-
OPENING UP THE LAST PART
OF THE SPECTRUM
T
erahertz waves occupy the
and clothes, and since they are non-
tions of many common substances and
part of the spectrum between
ionising they are safer than x-rays.
biological materials.
tween infrared and millimetre waves.
But THz waves can probe the con-
Add these two properties together and
With wavelengths of 0.1-1mm, THz
tent of objects as well as their shapes,
you have a scanner that can not only
waves can be used like light or x-rays
thanks to their ability to respond to
detect a hidden package, but also show
to create detailed images of solid ob-
chemical properties. This is because
what is inside. New European research
jects. They have the useful property
their frequency range of 0.3-3THz
on THz waves could enable applica-
of passing easily through packaging
matches the natural molecular vibra-
tions that include detecting tumours
22
light and radio, specifically be-
Photonics
beneath the skin, a new and powerful
lasers are too bulky for most practical
Source: ICT results article 01/12/08
kind of microscope for biological re-
applications. As a result, THz radia-
http://cordis.europa.eu/ictresults/in-
search, and quality control in semicon-
tion has been comparatively neglected.
dex.cfm?section=news&tpl=article&
ductor and pharmaceutical factories, as
well as smart security scanners.
BrowsingType=Features&ID=90252
The project (ended February 2009)
developed lasers that produce intense
More information on:
According to THz expert Martyn
pulses of near-infrared light lasting
http://www.teranova-ist.org/
Chamberlain, coordinator for TER-
as little as one femtosecond (a thou-
ANOVA project, the difficulty is that
sandth of a trillionth of a second!).
THz radiation is hard to generate, ly-
When these extremely short pulses hit
ing as it does in the “no-man’s land”
a special semiconductor target they
between electronics and optics. Elec-
produce “broadband” THz radiation,
tronic generators cannot yet operate
which has great potential for a range
at frequencies above 0.3THz, Cham-
of new research tools in chemistry,
berlain explains, while traditional THz
biology and basic physics.
IPHOBAC: BREAKTHROUGH FOR
POST4G COMMUNICATIONS
W
hile 4G mobile communications are still under
development, European
researchers are working on a post-4G
technology able to deliver data wirelessly
up to 12.5Gb/s.
The technology – known as ‘millimetre
(mm)-wave’ or microwave photonics
– has commercial applications not just
in telecommunications (access and inhouse networks) but also in instrumentation, radar, security, radio astronomy
and other fields.
Despite the quantum leap in performance
optical and radio frequency technolo-
Source: ICT Results article 05/03/09
made possible by combining the latest
gies, IPHOBAC is the world’s first fully
http://cordis.europa.eu/ictresults/
radio and optics technologies to produce
integrated effort in the field, with a lot
index.cfm?section=news&tpl=article
nm-wave components, it will be a few
of different companies involved. This
&BrowsingType=Features&ID=90438
years before these benefits come closer
has resulted in the three-year project,
to the average EU citizen.
which ended December 2009, already
More information on:
having an impressive list of achieve-
http://www.ist-iphobac.org/
This is thanks to research and develop-
ments to its name.
ment work done by the project IPHOBAC,
which brought together partners from
Project coordinator Andreas Stöhr
both academia and industry with the aim
says that millimetre-wave photonics
of developing a new class of components
is a truly disruptive technology for
and systems for mm-wave applications.
high frequency applications. “It offers
unique capabilities such as ultra-wide
While several companies in Japan and
tunability and low-phase noise which
the USA have been working on merging
are not possible with competing technologies, such as electronics.”
24
Photonics
BRIGHTER
SEMICONDUCTOR LASERS
A
European project to develop
This 23-partner integrated project
Brighter has developed state-of-the-
a complete cycle of technolo-
had a €16.2m budget, with EU fund-
art technology and become one of the
gies for a new generation of
ing of €9.7m. It followed on and fur-
leaders in the field,” he adds.
high-brightness semiconductor lasers
ther advanced two earlier projects
promised to transform the healthcare,
Ultrabright and Bright. “We did not
Source: ICT Results article 18/06/09
telecom and display technology sectors.
start from zero. Many of the partners
http://cordis.europa.eu/ictresults/in-
from earlier projects joined this effort
dex.cfm?section=news&tpl=article&
The semiconductor lasers developed
to develop very high-quality semicon-
BrowsingType=Features&ID=90691
by the Brighter project offer high
ductor lasers for specific, real-world
power and very high efficiency in a
applications,” notes Michel Krakowski,
More information on:
small, relatively low-cost package,
coordinator of the Brighter project.
http://www.ist-brighter.eu/
and they have direct applications in
cancer treatment and imaging, high-
“There are many semiconductor la-
bandwidth fibre-optic communica-
sers and many application fields, but
tions, laser-based projectors, heads-
certainly for lasers in the spectral
up-displays, and even TV screens.
range between 355nm up to 1060nm,
Embedded
4
A patient undergoing photodynamic therapy ans studied with a first functional
model of the fluorescence imaging system developed within the BRIGHTER project.
EMBEDDED SYSTEMS
AND CONTROL
J
ensuring that systems are predictable,
dependable and secure http://cordis.
europa.eu/fp7/ict/esd/
- Computing Systems incorporate mul-
ust imagine the following. You
tiple processing elements and must be
arrive home late after a hard day’s
programmable, versatile and adaptable
work to find your favourite music
to fit the needs of a broad range of ap-
playing, a relaxing bath running and a
plications http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/
delicious dinner cooking in the oven: all
ict/computing/
as if by magic. What a wonderful idea,
- Networked Embedded Systems and
Control Systems focus on cooperating
but how did it happen?
Embedded systems are the invisible elec-
objects, where the integration of comput-
Another scenario: it’s a warm, sunny day
tronics and software that bring intelligence
ing, communication and sensing can lead
and you’re driving along a deserted road
to everyday objects, devices and processes.
to autonomous and robust distributed sys-
in the middle of the countryside. Whilst
They are special-purpose computer systems
tems; on middleware for seamless con-
driving you start to feel a little drowsy,
designed to perform one or a small number
nectivity and interaction; and on control
your car drifts towards the middle of the
of dedicated functions in environments of-
of large scale, complex distributed systems
road, crossing the solid white line, and
ten constrained by real-time performance
http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/ict/necs/
then a beeping noise wakes you up just
requirements, resource consumption, cost,
in time to allow you to correct the trajec-
safety and security.
tory yourself, otherwise the car takes over
control thereby avoiding an accident.
The European Commission has also participated in setting up ARTEMIS, the Joint
Cars, cameras, toys, household appliances,
Technology Initiative (JTI) for Advanced
cell phones, MP3 players, aircraft, industrial
Research and Technology for EMbedded
Both these situations are perfectly plau-
machines and medical equipment are all
Intelligence and Systems.
sible scenarios not so far away from
every day examples of where embedded
reality, thanks to state-of-the-art em-
systems are currently used.
bedded systems solutions. But what are
embedded systems?
JTIs are public-private partnerships at European level which address strategic areas
Aiming at promoting European leader-
where research and innovation are essential
ship, increasing productivity and improv-
to European competitiveness. The legal
ing competitiveness leading to growth and
structure that will implement this vision
job creation, the Commission supports re-
in embedded system is the ARTEMIS Joint
search in embedded technologies in three
Undertaking (JU).
main technical domains:
26
- Embedded System Design refers to
This community body brings together
methods and tools for increasing the pro-
21 EU Member States, Norway, the Eu-
ductivity of system development while
ropean Commission and industry repre-
Embedded
sented by the ARTEMISIA association,
actors, thus producing a R&D volume
the association of R&D actors in the field
exceeding €200 million.
of Embedded Systems.
The funded projects will address the develBuilding on the Strategic Research Agenda
opment of embedded electronic and soft-
developed by the European Technology
ware systems in areas of major industrial,
Platform, ARTEMIS aims to help European
economic and societal impact, such as enrd
industry consolidate and reinforce its world
and it has already launched its 3 call for
ergy efficiency, smart homes and buildings,
leadership in embedded computing tech-
Research & Development project propos-
sustainable cities, automotive and avionic
nologies. The economic impact in terms of
als in February 2010. As a result of the
safety, health systems and security.
jobs and growth is expected to exceed €100
2009 Call, ARTEMIS decided to allocate
billion over the next ten years.
€105 million of public funding to 13 in-
The ARTEMIS-JU website:
dustrial R&D projects. This amount will
www.artemis-ju.eu
‘The ARTEMIS Joint Undertaking has
be matched by more than €100 million of
The ARTEMISIA website:
been granted autonomy on 26/10/2009
own resources by industry and research
www.artemisia-association.eu
FLYING
WITH THE
WIND…
The AEOLUS project
turbines in a wind farm to increase the
research and develop
energy performance while reducing the
models that allow
mechanical loads. The result is lifetime
real-time predictions
energy efficiency. The usefulness of the
of flows from a set of
techniques is validated through a case
spatially distributed sensor measure-
study and by physical experiments on a
key socio-economic challenge
ments. The results are applied to off-
scaled wind power farm.
for Europe is: how to deal with
shore wind farm installations. In these
climate change, while meeting
installations, the turbines are affected
rapidly increasing demand for energy and
by the wind but they also change the
ensuring security of supply? Wind energy
wind field within the farm through the
can be a significant part of the answer.
control. How do we allocate the wind
The new frontier of the wind industry is
resources optimally between the indi-
large-scale offshore wind farms. While
vidual turbines?
A
promising, considerable research and development tasks remain to be carried out
The AEOLUS project will research and
before it reaches its full potential in terms
develop the foundations for understand-
of the efficient, stable, safe, predictable
ing how the wind resource may dynami-
More information on :
and controllable supply of energy.
cally be shared among individual wind
www.ict-aeolus.eu.
BUILDING EXCELLENCE…
T
he ArtistDesign Network of Ex-
sign of joint, multi-organizational,
in the USA: (NSF, NASA, SRI, Boe-
cellence (NoE) is the visible re-
multi-disciplinary research and de-
ing, Honeywell, Windriver, Carnegie
sult of the ongoing integration
velopment (R&D) work in Embedded
Mellon, Vanderbilt, Berkeley, UPenn,
System Design.
UNC Chapel Hill, UIUC, etc) and in
of the European research community
in Embedded Systems Design.
- the integration of the state of the art
Asia (Tsinghua University, Chinese
knowledge into the Embedded Sys-
Academy of Sciences, Seoul National
The central objective for the ArtistDe-
tem Design European education, pro-
University, East China Normal Uni-
sign NoE is to build on existing struc-
moting approaches and techniques
versity, etc).
tures and links to become a virtual Cent-
which are well adapted to meeting
er of Excellence in Embedded Systems
current and future industrial needs.
Design. More concretely, the expected
ArtistDesign NoE also has a very strong
tradition of Summer Schools, Graduate
results of the ArtistDesign NoE are:
The NoE has a very dynamic Inter-
- the integration of the academic re-
national Collaboration programme,
search creating a context, an infra-
interacting at top levels with the best
More information on:
structure and a culture for the de-
research centers and industrial partners
www.artist-embedded.org/
HELPING
OTHERS…
U
Courses, and major workshops.
nmanned helicopters could
aged or disrupted, which makes getting
soon be a key part of emer-
medical and relief supplies to survivors
gency relief operations, as
extremely difficult.
well as bringing a new dimension to
filmmaking, thanks to some innova-
When such disasters happen in remote
tive work done by the AWARE project.
areas with little in the way of communications or transport infrastructure to
When natural disasters happen one of the
start with, the problem is exacerbated.
first casualties is often the communica-
28
tions network. As a result, rapid response
A solution for both the communica-
crews can be working virtually blind, cut
tions and delivery of supplies prob-
off from each other and the victims they
lems is now being researched within
are trying to help. Where there are trans-
the AWARE project, which comprises
port arteries, such as roads, rivers and
academic and commercial partners
railways, they are also very often dam-
from five European countries.
Embedded
middleware and functionality required
More information on:
for the cooperation among unmanned
www.aware-project.net
aerial vehicles, such as autonomous helicopters, and a ground sensor-actuator
The AWARE project successfully tested
wireless network, including mobile nodes
the first integrated platform providing the
carried by people and vehicles.
MAKING IT EASIER…
• Automotive demonstrator: a traffic jam
assistance, heading control, door control
M
odern, co-operating em-
plications of different criticality to be
and adaptive lighting system were inte-
bedded systems are diffi-
put on a smaller number of control
grated on top of the new middleware.
cult to develop, and very
units. This was achieved by providing
• Industrial control demonstrator: a
difficult to test and maintain because
an enabling dependable middleware
system to suppress critical vibrations
they are designed and manufactured
technology based on time-triggered
in nano-imprinting machines which is
by different parties.
core services which guarantee a set of
business critical.
properties for safety of the system.
DECOS project aims at fighting this
• Aerospace demonstrator: all-electronic
airplane flap control instead of mechani-
complexity by designing an integrated
The project created a prototype tool-
architecture which allows several ap-
chain and test-bench, guiding the
cal coupling and synchronization.
complete process, from model to de-
More information on:
ployment. The package includes valida-
• www.decos.at
tion and certification support, as well
• http://cordis.europa.eu/ictresults/
as hardware and software components
popup.cfm?section=news&tpl=articl
and basic software building blocks.
e&ID=89689&AutoPrint=True
DECOS applied its results to three vital
application fields:
MAKING NEGOTIATIONS…
A
na, a tourist visiting Santander
to the mobile indicating what exact
mobile phones send the names of their
reaches for her mobile phone
place, the photo is taken from. The
owners so that they are saved in the pho-
to take a photograph of her
streetlights from the corner also speak
to and thus all this data is available when
friends at the beach. At the same time
with the headphone transmitting tourist
checking the photo album back at home.
several satellites are transmitting data
information about the area. Her friends’
All this happens instantly after pressing
The FRESCOR project applies habits
from human society within the computers of the digital systems. Each part
of a program that is executed in the
computer must negotiate a contract in
which it indicates the resources of the
system that is going to need, and the
flexibility that it can tolerate to improve
the quality of this answer. The system
the camera button, and while her friends
But, what we still need to develop are
will accept or not this contract accord-
listen to music, answer telephone calls or
the methods to allow us join all these
ing to the resources available, and will
are doing some other pictures themselves.
applications and to manage the com-
check the fulfilment of its terms should
plexity that this union implies. This
it be accepted.
We currently have the technology for our
is precisely the aim of the FRESCOR
mobile phones, cars, bus-stops, etc., that
project - to develop new techniques to
More information on:
constituted the environment in which we
manage the complexity of the future
www.frescor.org
live, to do all these things separately.
digital systems.
DEVELOPING NEW INDUSTRIAL
AUTOMATION SYSTEMS...
S
ince manufacturing plays a vital
tems, exploiting the Service Oriented
role in economy and society, re-
Architecture (SoA) paradigm both at
maining fundamental to creating
the device and at the application level.
stable employment, the adoption of manufacturing innovations is needed in order
The SOCRADES project is creating
to promote performance improvement of
a service-oriented ecosystem, where
European manufacturing processes.
networked systems are composed
building blocks to consolidate the
of wired/wireless smart devices that
prototypes.
In this context, the primary objec-
interact with the physical and the
tive of the SOCRADES project is
enterprise environment. Its major
Videos of the new demonstrator and the
to develop a design, execution and
achievements are prototypes on the
latest demonstrations of SOCRADES
management platform for next gen-
device level service platform and the
project are now available at:
eration industrial automation sys-
exploitation of the released software
www.socrades.eu/Home/default.html
30
Embedded
RAISING AWARENESS…
M
The objectives of HiPEAC are:
- To create a visible and integrated com-
ore and more, the super-
The emergence of multiple, heterogene-
munity of researchers on these topics
computer market, the
ous and interconnected processing ele-
which will be capable of influencing
commodity
market
ments on a single chip require a radical
the domain in the coming years;
(including laptops and other consum-
change in computing architectures and
er electronics such as mobile phone,
programming paradigms.
PDAs and navigation systems), and the
- To identify, raise awareness and then
steer academic research efforts to industry relevant or fundamental sci-
embedded market are interconnected.
The goal of the High Performance and Em-
entific issues;
Increasingly, the same components are
bedded Architecture and Compilation Net-
- To stimulate cooperation between re-
used in all of these systems, creating
work of Excellence (HiPEAC) is to build a
searchers from the processor architec-
new business opportunities for the
strong community capable of conducting
ture and the compiler domains.
European computer industry.
the necessary research efforts to meet the
high and increasing demand for comput-
More information on:
ing power in all embedded applications.
HiPEAC website www.hipeac.net
MASTERING SYSTEMS COMPLEXITY…
T
he SPEEDS project is a pioneer-
In industrial practice, components of lar-
ing new approach to systems
ger systems are developed by different
engineering by providing better
teams and using different tools, always
integration and cooperation of avionics
following the “best in class” approach for
and automotive electronic applications,
the respective component. The main prob-
data format for their specific purposes.
leading to a groundbreaking evolution
lems are data exchange between the vari-
This unique capability of HRC facilitates
in embedded systems design.
ous tools and keeping the system model
the exchange of models across tools and
consistent during the developing process.
application domains.
SPEEDS has defined a new generation of
Today’s tool integration and chain of devel-
end-to-end methodologies, processes and
opment tasks is controlled by file exchange
More information on:
supporting tools for embedded systems
and standard office communication.
www.speeds.eu.com
design that not only addresses but also dramatically reduces and boosts design reuse.
SPEEDS developed an appropriate
heterogeneous rich component model
– called HRC -which provides a uniform
concept across all layers and views, hence
all tools of a tool chain are able to use this
Transport
ICT FOR TRANSPORT
I
Nowadays, ICT-for-Transport’s focus
on road safety is complemented by
n the area of «Information and
the box, the driver is informed about
research in environmental aspects
Communication Technologies
it. In case of no reaction, a visual or
of road traffic: Reductions in fuel
(ICT) for Transport», we contract,
acoustic warning goes off. If there is still
consumption and CO2 emissions by
fund and monitor research projects
no reaction, the system brakes by itself
means of ICT are being explored. The
exploring ICT applications for mostly
and thus avoids or strongly mitigates
electric car will become a new centre of
road transport. For a number of years
the impact.
attention in the very near future.
been road safety. A textbook example of
Without European research funding,
More information on:
an ICT road safety project is PReVENT.
smart cruise control, which is adapt-
eSafety website:
It developed, among other applications,
ing to traffic flow, would not yet be on
http://ec.europa.eu/esafety
a radar sensor to detect obstacles on
the market. Systems that help avoid
Intelligent Car website:
the road, e.g. a big box lost by a truck.
collisions would not be as advanced
http://ec.europa.eu/intelligentcar .
As soon as the on-board sensors detect
as they are today.
already, the focus of our projects has
THE INTELLIGENT CAR INITIATIVE
RAISING AWARENESS OF ICT FOR
SMARTER, SAFER AND CLEANER VEHICLES
I
n the framework of i2010,
To accomplish its overall mission, in
2) to give guidance to research efforts so
the Intelligent Car Initiative
particular a quicker deployment of
that the most promising technologies
was launched in February
‘intelligent’ road safety systems, the
profit from European research funds;
2006 to serve one overall purpose:
initiative’s goals have been three-fold:
3) to raise awareness among consumers,
to use modern Information and
1) to coordinate and promote the work
drivers, car dealers etc. of the benefits of
Communication Technologies (ICTs)
of all stakeholders working in the
these modern, ICT-based applications
to make road transport safer and
field of road safety, e.g. motor clubs,
for road traffic.
cleaner.
emergency services, car manufacturers
and many more;
Under the Intelligent Car Initiative, the
emergency call service eCall has been
developed and will soon be available
on the market. Research funds worth
Intelligent Car Initiative
32
more than €150 m have been spent
in a more targeted and integrated
Transport
way. World-wide media attention for
about the benefits of the most
More information on:
European road safety research was
promising systems, e.g. Electronic
http://ec.europa.eu/intelligentcar
raised by two big ‘Intelligent Car’
Stability Control (ESC), through the
events. Furthermore, consumers,
Initiative’s offspring eSafetyAware!
drivers and others have been informed
and its campaign eSafetyChallenge!.
eCALL: CRASHED CARS CALL 112
I
n a nutshell, eCall is a mobile phone
the rescue services. The single most
and by 40% in urban areas. Time saved
fixed at a safe place in a car. It is
important data is the exact geographic
translates into lives saved! Estimates say
connected with the sensors that set
location of the accident scene. It is fixed
that eCall will save 2,500 lives in Europe
off the air bags. As soon as the airbags
by means of both satellite positioning
annually, when all cars have it onboard.
inflate in a serious accident, the mobile
systems and GSM networks.
phone automatically call the nearest
eCall should be available as an option
emergency calls centre wherever you
The exact knowledge of the crash site
for new cars soon. eCall will function all
are in Europe. It uses the European-
enables the rescue services to react much
over the European Union plus Iceland,
wide emergency number 112. In the
quicker. Studies suggest that response time
Norway and Switzerland. Recently, Russia
call, it sends off a set of data useful for
will be reduced by 50% in rural settings
also expressed an interest in eCall.
eCall: The crashed car calls 112!
The eCall alert
and rescue chain
ICT FOR CLEAN &
EFFICIENT MOBILITY
T
he concentration of greenhouse
road transport has to take its share in the
gases in the atmosphere is ris-
reduction of greenhouse gases.
ing, leading to higher temper-
ness of and acceptance for eco-driving;
• More options for drivers to buy for their
cars eco-driving feedback, reporting and
analysis tools;
• Research and development in traffic
management and control systems using e.g. CO2 emission parameters when
atures on the earth, rising sea levels,
Information and Communication Tech-
shifts in climate zones etc. In brief, it
nologies (ICT) have a high potential to
leads to ‘Climate Change’!
help reduce motor traffic’s CO2 footprint.
recommending preferable routes;
• Digital maps showing the fuel consumption profile of alternate routes;
In November 2008, eSafety’s working group
• Research in the environmental benefits
We must keep climate change under con-
‘ICT for Clean & Efficient Mobility’ spelled
of ride-sharing, car-sharing and multi-
trol: the average temperature must not go
out this potential in its final report: up to
modality (= the combined use of dif-
up more than 2 ºC by 2100. This can be
25% of automotive CO2 could be saved.
ferent means of transport for one trip);
achieved by cutting greenhouse gas emis-
• Less empty mileage (trucks running
sions. Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is the most
The report recommends the following
without cargo) and higher load factors
important greenhouse gas. It is the end
priority actions:
in freight transport.
product of all combustion processes, includ-
• Research in how information on a fuel-
ing the burning of fuel in vehicle engines.
efficient driving style (‘eco-driving’) could
More information on:
be given to the driver automatically using
http://ec.europa.eu/information_
on-board and off-board services;
society/activities/esafety/forum/ict_
In 2005, 19.7% of all European CO2 emissions came from road traffic. Therefore,
• Multi-media campaigns to create aware-
clean_mob/index_en.htm
SPARC  REPLACING MECHANICS
WITH ELECTRONICS IN CARS
T
ime is a critical factor in many
port of air (brakes) or oil (steering wheel)
(so-called actuators), the latter sitting at
traffic accidents. Fractions of a
pressure, wich means that it takes time
the spot where the action is needed. For
second can make the difference
to transmit the braking impulse from the
instance, in SPARC the brake pedal was
brake pedal to the wheel.
connected with the brakes by a simple
between life and death. Imagine vehicles, where the brakes would react to the
pedal with virtually no delay.
electric cable. The brake itself was an
The idea put forward by EU-funded
electric motor sitting on the axle next
research project SPARC was to replace
to the wheel. Due to the nature of elec-
Today’s heavy-goods vehicles are operat-
some of these mechanical parts by elec-
tronics, the electronic brake signal arrives
ed by mechanical systems, with the sup-
tronic connections and electric devices
much quicker at the brake than the air
34
Transport
INSAFES
DRIVER INFORMATION SYSTEMS
TAKING THE TRAFFIC SITUATION
INTO ACCOUNT
faster than the mechanical brake disks,
A
the driver when he is driving. Some of
blind spot. The system also helps him
too. Precious time can be saved, contrib-
these systems are under development,
to keep the lane, and it provides infor-
uting to road safety.
others are already deployed in cars.
mation about hazards via short range
pressure (pneumatic signal) of current
systems, and the brake actuator works
BS, ESP, FCW, BSW, LDW, all
vehicle. It assists the driver in maintain-
these strange abbreviations
ing a safe speed and distance, warns him
stand for systems that assist
of lateral events and incidents in his
communication.
As human error is almost always the
The purpose of these systems is to make
cause of road accidents, the SPARC sys-
our driving safer and easier. But will cars
If an accident is unavoidable, INSAFES
tem also analyses and combines the in-
equipped with more and more of them
helps the driver brake more efficiently. It
formation from different sources in (e.g.
really increase our safety? How will these
also presets the safety belts and airbags
the driver’s commands, or on-board sen-
systems work together? Will alarms pop
so that they are functioning optimally
sors) and calculates the safe path in paral-
up all the time, and contradictory mes-
in the crash.
lel to the driver’s steering. The system can
sages confuse the driver?
thus support the driver in making safe
driving decisions or, in critical situations,
These questions have been addressed by
such as driver inattention, overrule the
INSAFES, a PReVENT subproject. Sev-
driver’s input to avoid an accident.
eral assistance systems were integrated
with the aim to provide the driver with
SPARC’s systems were successfully in-
consistent output including timely mes-
tegrated into a heavy-goods truck and,
sages/alarms. The information is given
to show their flexibility, into a small
to the driver only when he has free
passenger car.
capacities to deal with it. For instance,
less important messages are only put
More information on:
through in ‘normal’ traffic situations,
http://www.transport-research.info/
but blocked in difficult situations such
An overtaking vehicle and its INSAFES
web/projects/project_details.cfm?id=3
as driving on a roundabout etc.
dashboard representation to the driver
%2Fsearch%2Ecfm&referer=searchstr
The INSAFES system is capable of con-
More information on :
ing%2Asparc
stantly monitoring the area around the
http://www.prevent-ip.org/insafes
6021&backlink=%2Fweb%2Fcommon
INTERSAFE  INCREASED
SAFETY AT INTERSECTIONS
A
re you aware that 30 % of all
INTERSAFE, another EU-funded project
fatal and serious accidents oc-
from the PReVENT family, is dealing
cur at intersections?
with such complex traffic situations in
The INTERSAFE turning assistant at work
order to warn the driver in time of any
Drivers get a better picture of the rele-
Did you ever feel uneasy, when ap-
potential danger. INTERSAFE uses mod-
vant part of the traffic situation. Thus,
proaching an intersection especially in
ern sensors which are integrated both
it is possible to avoid critical situations
an unknown city: trying to concentrate
into the road infrastructure and the cars.
caused e.g. by red-light running, or by
on the complex traffic situation and, at
These sensors collect data that can mirror
pedestrians hidden behind a parked car
the same time, on finding the way to
the traffic situation at the intersection.
but stepping out into the street.
your destination? Were you really able,
Via ‘car-to-car’ communication, a picture
at any given moment, to be fully aware
of the situation can then be sent to all the
More information on:
of the situation and to react properly?
cars approaching the intersection.
http://www.prevent-ip.org/intersafe
WILLWARN  DRIVERS LOOKING BEYOND
WHAT THEY CAN SEE
Y
ou are driving along a road in the
the driver would have timely information
countryside, when unexpectedly
enabling him to «look» beyond his horizon.
you are confronted with an accident
But how? Here, modern telecommunica-
just behind a curve. As you barely have time
tion technologies kick-in to contribute
to brake, a new accident is unavoidable.
to safer driving by providing the needed
information in time.
An obstacle behind a curve
slippery road sections etc. This information is then sent by the cars or the road
The weather is fairly good, the road is
almost dry. However, the temperature
WILLWARN (Wireless Local Dan-
signs to the oncoming traffic in order to
is quite low, so you are driving at a rea-
ger Warning), an EU-funded research
warn drivers in time. This timely infor-
sonable speed, when, all of the sudden,
project, has shown that short range ra-
mation will then lead to more adapted
you roll over on an icy patch and loose
dio communication between cars can
driving ahead of the dangerous spot, thus
control of your car.
carry the information to those who are
avoiding further accidents and problems.
approaching a dangerous spot. Cars and
Road traffic poses risks every day. How-
roadside equipment cooperate to gather
More information on:
ever risky situations could be avoided, if
information on accidents, traffic jams,
http://www.prevent-ip.org/willwarn
36
Transport
HUMANIST  SUPPORT SYSTEMS
RESPECTING THE DRIVER’S CAPACITIES
sion revolved around human-centered
D
river information and sup-
In order to constantly reap the driver
design of driver support systems, they
port systems, be it classical
support systems’ enormous benefits,
gave it the name ‘HUMANIST’.
ones like the car radio or
namely higher road safety and greater
novelties such as navigation systems,
traffic efficiency, their design and op-
HUMANIST was funded by the Euro-
are to support the driver in his driv-
eration has to take the driver and his
pean Commission until mid 2008. As
ing tasks. They must not distract him
capacities into account: driver sup-
a successful Network of Excellence, it
from concentrating on the roadway
port systems need to be easy to use,
has become self-sustainable and now
and the traffic situation.
intuitive, failsafe, false-alarm-free,
continues its work without further
accepted by the driver, and must not
European funds.
Information and Communication Tech-
overload him with too many alerts.
nologies (ICTs) offer a broad range of
More information on:
new driver support systems: Just think
The competencies to develop driver
of assistants that help you to keep your
support systems that meet these cri-
lane, or applications for safe speed and
teria have always existed in Europe.
safe distance to the car ahead. Any such
However, they were scattered around
systems inform the driver of a poten-
in various countries and numerous
tial danger and warn him, if this dan-
research institutes. To obtain effec-
ger turns into a serious risk. Due to the
tive and meaningful research results
sheer volume of information items and
for Europe’s automotive sector, which
warnings, which traditional and new
produces cars for the European market
systems can jointly give to the driver,
and beyond, it was necessary to inte-
they may become a risk by themselves:
grate these competencies in some way.
There is a threat that they overload the
Therefore, 23 research institutes came
driver with information and thus dis-
together to form a so-called Network
tract him from his core task: driving.
of Excellence. As the network’s mis-
http://www.humanistvce.eu
ISMAEL  SENSORS
ditions, but also to specify the kind of
MULTIPLYING AIRPORT SAFETY
of the measurements was so high, that
vehicle that was sensed. The accuracy
not only aircraft could be distinguished
M
odern airports are equipped
terations of the field caused by aircraft
from service vehicles, but also types of
with a range of technologies
and service vehicles in an airport?
aircraft from each other.
ground, be it aircraft or service vehicles,
The ISMAEL team dug magnetic sensors
The EU-funded ISMAEL project ended
because a precise picture of the traffic
in the ground at the runway entrances
in July 2007. However, activities towards
on the runways and taxiways is a prere-
and taxiways of three European airports:
marketing of the system are ongoing.
quisite for passenger and airport safety.
Frankfurt Rhein-Main, Europe’s sec-
At the moment, the standardization
Standard technologies used for airport
ond-largest airport, the mid-sized Thes-
and certification procedures are un-
monitoring today are ground radar and
salonica airport in Greece, and the small
derway, and negotiations with inter-
surveillance video and infrared cameras.
aerodrome in Saarbrücken, Germany.
ested entrepreneurs are held. Due to
The sensors put into the ground were
the flexibility of the system – it can be
All three technologies have their inher-
extremely cheap, as the project used
used for airports of all sizes – and its
ent limitations: The number of radar
off-the-shelf magnetic heads normally
cheapness, interest in the technology
antennas on a given surface is limited,
used for hard disk readers.
is high. Talks are ongoing with airport
to monitor vehicles on the
as their electromagnetic radiation can
operators worldwide showing a strong
pose a health risk or cause problems of
The projects results exceeded the ex-
interference. Like ground radar, cam-
pectations. Not only was it possible to
eras cannot ‘look’ around corners or
exactly pinpoint the location of vehicles
More information on:
beyond objects. In addition, cameras
in the airport in almost all weather con-
http://www.ismael-project.net
do not work unfailingly in heavy rain
or snowfall, in fog or hard frost.
The prime objective of ISMAEL was to
develop and test an additional airport
safety technology not subject to the
limitations of radar and cameras, and
based on a different natural phenomenon, namely magnetism: The earth is
surrounded by an invisible magnetic
field. Each and every ferro-metallic object slightly alters this magnetic field.
Would it be possible to measure the al-
38
interest in the system.
Transport
FORMULA 1 DRIVERS IN SUPPORT OF
eSAFETY CHALLENGE
Michael Schumacher framed by two campaign mascots
S
even-time Formula 1 World
racing drivers spectacularly illustrated
the benefits of the above mentioned
champion Michael Schumacher
the benefits of Electronic Stability Con-
safety systems.
supported eSafety road safety
trol (ESC) and Warning & Emergency
technologies and highlighted their po-
Braking System, Lane Support, Blind
eSafety Challenge campaign is co-fund-
tential to save lives and mitigate inju-
Spot Monitoring and Speed Alert.
ed by the 39 member organisations of
ries at eSafety Challenge’s first annual
the eSafetyAware! platform, the FIA
event in Vallelunga/Rome, on 8 and 9
The impact of these systems in reducing
Foundation and the European Com-
September 2009.
the number of road deaths in Europe
mission. eSafety Challenge started its
is high. ESC alone would save 4.000
activity in April 2009 and is expected
Schumacher was accompanied by For-
lives annually and avoid more than
to continue its work for at least two
mula 1 drivers Giancarlo Fisichella and
100.000 injuries, were all European
more years.
Heikki Kovalainen, as well as eight-time
cars ESC equipped.
24-hour-Le-Mans champion Tom Kris-
More information on:
tensen and DTM driver Susie Stoddart.
The prime objective of the eSafety Chal-
In a variety of automobiles ranging from
lenge campaign is to inform drivers,
small cars to heavy duty vehicles, the
car dealers, policy makers etc. about
www.eSafetyChallenge.eu
European Commission
I nforma ti on S oc i et y and M ed ia
J142
COMPONENTS AND SYSTEMS RESEARCH
IN EUROPE: 2009-2010
Catalogue number KK-30-10-691-EN-C
Small and Smart: