Section: Partnerships and Cooperations

European Initiatives

1. COM-MED, COMMunication systems with renewable Energy micro-griD

   • Programm: H2020

   • Duration: October 2016 - October 2019

   • Coordinator: Inria

   • Inria contact: Samir M. Perlaza

   • Summary : A smart micro-grid is a small-scale power-grid system consisting of a number of distributed energy sources and loads which is responsible to ensure power sufficiency in a small area. The effectiveness of a smart micro-grid depends on the proper implementation of a communications and networking system which monitors, controls and manages the grid’s operations. Due to the ever growing worldwide energy consumption, the need of an efficient framework for managing the way power is distributed and utilized has increased. The main objective of the project COM-MED is to study the fundamental interplay between communications and power networks in the context of smart micro-grids and renewable energy sources. On one hand, we study advanced signal processing techniques and communications methods to optimize the operation of smart micro-grid systems. On the other hand, we focus on mobile communications networks with renewable energy base-stations (BSs) and we investigate communications and networking techniques that take into account both data traffic and energy profiles to support high quality-of-service (QoS). The objectives of each technical WP have been assigned in such a way as to ensure that the project’s target is realized during the project’s time period. The theoretical results derived from the WPs 3, 4 and 5 will be tested using the telecommunication network of MTN in Cyprus but also the state-of-the-art equipment of the CITI/Inria research lab in France. The outcome of this project will provide a theoretical framework for the optimal cooperation between communications networks and power networks in the context of smart micro-grids and renewable energy sources. This is in line with the objectives of the call’s theme “Renewable Energy” and is of paramount importance for the Mediterranean area. The consortium of the project has the expertise and the infrastructure to implement the objectives set and to bring the project to a successful end.

2. WindMill, Machine Learning for Wireless Communications

   • Programm: H2020; European Training Network (ETN).

   • Duration: January 2019 - December 2022.

   • Coordinator: Aalborg University, DK

   • Inria contact: Jean-Marie Gorce

   • Summary : With their evolution towards 5G and beyond, wireless communication networks are entering an era of massive connectivity, massive data, and extreme service demands. A promising approach to successfully handle such a magnitude of complexity and data volume is to develop new network management and optimization tools based on machine learning. This is a major shift in the way wireless networks are designed and operated, posing demands for a new type of expertise that requires the combination of engineering, mathematics and computer science disciplines. The ITN project WindMill addresses this need by providing Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) with an expertise integrating wireless communications and machine learning. The project will train 15 ESRs within a consortium of leading international research institutes and companies comprising experts in wireless communications and machine learning. This a very timely project, providing relevant inter-disciplinary training in an area where machine learning represents a meaningful extension of the current methodology used in wireless communication systems. Accordingly, the project will produce a new generation of experts, extremely competitive on the job market, considering the scale by which machine learning will impact the future and empower the individuals that are versed in it. The project will also nurture the sense of responsibility of the ESRs and the other participants through personal engagement in the training program and by promoting teamwork through collaborative joint projects.

• Program: PHC Amadeus 2020

• Title: Towards Rigorous Design of Molecular Communication Systems

• Duration: 1/2020 - 12/2021

• Coordinator: Malcolm Egan (MARACAS)

• Other Partners: Institute of Mathematics and Scientific Computing, University of Graz, Austria; CNRS.

• Abstract: The main aim of this project is to bring together experts in molecular communication (Univ. Lyon, Inria, CNRS) and in chemical reaction-diffusion systems (Univ. Graz) to (i) develop novel design of molecular communication systems using up-to-date mathematical results in chemical reaction-diffusion systems, and (ii) strengthen the mathematical theory about chemical reaction networks arising from designation of communication systems.

• Program: COST

• Title: COST Action CA15104, IRACON Inclusive Radio Communications

• Duration: 3/2016 - 3/2020

• Coordinator: Prof. Claude Oestges, University Catholique de Louvain, Belgium.

• Other Partners: many, see website.

• Abstract: This COST Action aims at scientific breakthroughs by introducing novel design and analysis methods for the 5th-generation (5G) and beyond-5G radio communication networks. Challenges include i) modelling the variety of radio channels that can be envisioned for future inclusive radio, ii) capacity, energy, mobility, latency, scalability at the physical layer and iii) network automation, moving nodes, cloud and virtualisation architectures at the network layer, as well as iv) experimental research addressing Over-the-Air testing, Internet of Things, localization and tracking and new radio access technologies. The group of experts supporting this proposal comes from both academia and industry, from a wide spread of countries all over Europe, with the support of some non-COST institutions and R$\&$D associations and standardisation bodies worldwide. The proposers have also long experience on COST Actions in the Radiocommunications field.