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Future Ubiquitous Networks (FUN)

Future Ubiquitous Networks (FUN) has the following expertise in its research group:

  • Aeronautical Communications
  • Mobile, wireless and satellite communications networking
  • IEEE 802.21 Media Independent Handover  framework
  • Radio Resource Management
  • Mobility Management
  • Security
  • Network Management
  • Protocol Design and Implementation
  • Automation and Control

 

  • Assistive Living Technologies
  • Embedded System
  • Wireless Sensor Networks
  • Internet of Things
  • Cloud Computing
  • Mobile Applications
  • Technology Enhanced Learning
  • Middleware
  • Service Oriented Architecture (SOA)

Collaborations

Industries and Research Institutes

  • Airtel ATN
  • European Telecommunications Standards Institute
  • Fraunhofer Institute for Telecommunications
  • Gatehouse
  • German Aerospace Centre (DLR)
  • Inmarsat Global Ltd.
  • Intecs
  • Joint Innovation Laboratory of Advanced Communications and Digital Processing Technologies
  • NLR
  • Selex ES
  • SITA
  • Thales UK
  • Thales Alenia Space
  • Thales France
  • Triagnosys GmbH

Universities

  • Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
  • CNES
  • CNIT
  • CTTC
  • Graz University of Technology
  • ISTI
  • Khalifa University
  • National University of Defense and Technology, Changsha
  • National Technical University of Athens
  • NIIT University (India)
  • University of Bologna
  • Sichuan University
  • TeSA
  • Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
  • Università Degli Studi di Roma "Tor Vergata"
  • University of Aberdeen
  • University of Pisa
  • University of Salzburg
  • University of Surrey
  • Universidad de Vigo

Facilities

In addition to a wide range of software packages provided by the Faculty of Engineering and Informatics which includes OPNET, Matlab, Proteus, a suite of in-house software have been developed. These include:

  • Protocol Adaptation and Radio Resource Management software for heterogeneous networks
  • VHF Data Link mode 2 higher protocols layer software
  • SAW software platform for semantic collaboration between different IoT platforms.
  • AAA platform for the authentication and authorisation of heterogeneous network access control

Aeronautical Communications Research

Future Ubiquitous Networks (FUN) Research Group has gathered a wide range of expertise in aeronautical communications through participation different EU and national projects since the mid-90s, including

  • ABATE - ACTS Broadband Aeronautical Terminal Experiment
  • WirelessCabin - Development and Demonstrator of Wireless Access for Multimedia Services in Aircraft Cabins
  • SANDRA - Seamless Aeronautical Network through Integration of Data links, Radios and Antennas
  • SINCBAC – Secure Integrated Network Communications for Broadband and ATM Connectivity
diagram of aeronautical communications for FUN

SANDRA (2009-2013)

The SANDRA (2009-2013) project focused on the design, implementation and validation of an integrated aeronautical communication system for future Air Traffic Management System based on an open architecture, a common set of interfaces and on well-proven industry standards.

Integration was addressed at four different levels:

  • Service Integration through SOA-based Middleware
  • Network Integration through IP
  • Radio Integration through an Integrated Modular Radio (IMR)
  • Antenna Integration at L/Ku Band

SINCBAC (2013-2014)

SINCBAC aims to derisk a certifiable, resilient and secure network fabric, which will support network traffic of all classifications from safety of flight communications through to high speed broadband, with priority being given to safety services. This approach is highly innovative but necessary to "future proof" the system in respect of mandated evolutions that are not yet fully defined and the ever increasing bandwidth demands of aviation communications.

ABATE (1996-1998)

ABATE was funded under the EU IV framework ACTS programme, focusing on aeronautical satellite communication system design for broadband connectivity at Ka Band for the Europe and North-Atlantic flight routes.

Started with an investigation on aeronautical satellite network planning issues, ABATE was completed with a technology demonstration for aeronautical satellite communication at higher frequencies, providing a firm basis for further industrial developments. 

WirelessCabin (2002-2004)

The WirelessCabin (2002-2004) project aimed at developing an in-cabin communication infrastructure consisting of heterogeneous wireless access networks to provide aircraft passengers and crew members with access to in-flight entertainment, Internet, mobile and personal communications applications and to support virtual private networks.

Passengers are able to access different services through state-of-the-art wireless technologies  including UMTS, WLAN and Bluetooth in the cabin. Communications with the outside world is achieved through an in-cabin service integrator which integrates and transport traffic streams from different access networks over the satellite to the ground network

Major Funded Projects

  • Employing ICT for the Health and Well-Being of Older People – British Council Researcher Links (2016)
  • Satellite and Smart Grid (SITARA) – British Council (2015-2017)
  • HARNet – Innovate UK (2014 – 2015)
  • SINCBAC  – Innovate UK (2012 – 2014)
  • Designing and Performance Evaluating Satellite Network Layer Protocols - China Scholarship Council (CSC)
  • SANDRA – EU (2009 – 2013)
  • E-Portfolio Tools in Education - Royal Academy of Engineering (National STEM programme)
  • CASAGRAS2 – EU (2010 - 2012)
  • Satellite Network of Excellence (SatNEx) I, II & III – EU, ESA
  • Mosaic Eye Robot Control – UK Royal Society (2007)
  • Highspeed Wireless Data Link – UK Filtronic (2007)
  • SOA based Network Management -  UK EPSRC CNA (2006-2010)
  • Broadband to Trains – ESA/DLR (2007 – 2008)
  • Flood Incidents Remote Monitoring – UK EPSRC, DTI, Yorkshire Water
  • Inmarsat BGAN Radio Resource Management – ESA, Inmarsat (2005 - 2010)
  • Village E-Science for Life (VESEL) – EPSRC 
  • Centre of Industrial Collaboration in Wireless Technologies  (Wireless CIC) - Yorkshire Forward 
  • WirelessCabin – EU FP5 (2002 – 2004)
  • Fast Internet for Fast Train Hosts (Fifth) – EU FP5 (2002 – 2004)
  • Multi-Segment System for Ubiquitous Access to Internet Services and Demonstrator (SUITED) – EU FP5 (2000 – 2002) 

Major Achievements

  • Design and development of an IEEE802.21 MIH-based mobility management framework for handover between heterogeneous mobile, wireless and satellite networks
  • Design and implementation of a radio resource management unifying platform for efficient resource utilisation over Software Defined Radio-based heterogeneous radio links
  • Design and implementation of a load balancing framework for heterogeneous mobile, wireless and satellite networks using AI and fuzzy logic
  • Design and implementation of call admission control and scheduling using fuzzy logic for the Inmarsat Broadband Global Area Network
  • Design and implementation of a distributed information middleware platform utilising web services and cloud computing technology for air traffic management and Internet of Things applications
  • Design and development of a AAA mechanism for secure multicast
  • Design and implementation of a semantic collaboration framework for cloud
  • Design and implementation of a biological inspired snake-based and mosaic-eye assisted distributed algorithm for autonomous robotic navigation
  • Design and implementation of an eye/gaze tracking algorithm for robotic control
  • Design and development of intelligent algorithms for wireless control of a hexapod robot
  • Design and development of a multi-sensor wireless vibrotactile biofeedback embedded system for faster amputee rehabilitation.