Final Report Summary - EULER (EUropean software defined radio for WireLEss in joint secuRity operations.)
Executive Summary:
EULER collaborative research project gathered main European actors in the domains of radio communications and software to demonstrate how the benefits of Software Defined Radio can be leveraged in order to enhance interoperability and fast deployment in case of major crisis situations needing joint efforts from several countries.
Communication systems used on the field by security organizations are key elements enabling a fast an efficient restoring of security and safety. Large scale events require the cooperation of security organizations from different nations each providing distinct skills and capabilities.
In close collaboration with a strong group of end-users in Europe, EULER proposed a more agile, interoperable, robust communication system supporting a new range of services specifically tailored to the requirements of the end users. In order to achieve these goals, three main components were combined: a reference high-data-rate radio technique, a communication system architecture allowing integration of heterogeneous radio standards, and Software Defined Radio (SDR) as a key enabler.
The key targeted goals were:
Enable enhanced deployability for public safety organizations on a wide area crisis location: groups gathered to operate need their radio systems to coexist and inter-communicate easily, with a short configuration time. EULER provides a reference system architecture enabling faster on-the-field integration of such radio systems.
Enhance the capabilities of wireless communication systems to enable an high-speed communication backbone, opening the door to emerging types of services (such as on-field video, telemedicine, on-field sensors values transmission) but keeping backwards compatibility with legacy PMR ones also. To this end, a new reference high-speed radio waveform is proposed matching the functional, security and operational constraints of field conditions (e.g urban, rural areas, ...).
Provide fully programmable radios via a standardized software interface (Software Defined Radio), allowing to design and develop the system architecture and reference wireless communication waveform in a software-portable manner, bringing the full benefits of such an approach like the reusability components across multiple platforms from different organizations and suppliers.
The EULER consortium dealt with activities of several types. The overarching one consisted in interacting with public-safety organizations to shape and refine operational scenarios and requirements. Analysis, specification and interaction with standardization bodies, were the basis for implementation in the several domains the project was aiming at. These outcomes constitute one of the first European demonstrators of interoperability in a civil crisis situation based on SDR.
Project Context and Objectives:
The approach presented decomposes into the science and technology objectives described hereinafter.
Propose a new high-data-rate waveform supporting the complex requirements of security forces (joint) operations:
This objective is refined into analysis and selection/combination of needed waveform features (modulation algorithms, medium-access control, networking layer, and security features), facing complex requirements: support urban areas, support ad-hoc unplanned deployment geometry, mobility, support high-data-rate demanding applications (e.g video) with quality of service, graceful interfacing with networking standards, addressing security threats.
Relevant scenarios are considered in order to drive the proposal for a suitable high-data-rate waveform. The comprehensive set of features of WiMax and the increasing popularity of this suite of specifications was the basis of a waveform answering P&GS requirements.
A collaboration with the ETSI MESA WG was established by the EULER partners, in order to get cross-information between EULER and MESA actions.
Propose a standard for high-data-rate capable security domain SDR shared in E.U:
A core sub-objective is related to standardised embedded software architecture for Software defined radio. Existing SDR standards use waveform architectural decomposition into components. These components can be allocated within software defined radio hardware, composed of several types of computing devices: general purpose processors (GPP), digital signal processors (DSP), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), Input/Ouput capabilities, and programmable (wideband) analog capabilities (radio-front-end). While basing on the SDR specifications evoked above, and joining the recent European efforts (ESRA) on the topic, further definitions are provided (c.f section on state of the art later in this document) to completely enable decomposition of waveforms and component allocation to DSPs and FPGAs. These aspects are fundamental in allowing the realisation of portable waveforms. Especially when targeting high-data-rate performance, where the core features of the waveform require implementation in high performance DSP and FPGA. A suitable transport layer should be applied to ensure high bandwidth communication between the various components.
In addition, proper account for information assurance requirements is strongly required. The flexibility and re-programmability (e.g downloadable waveforms) offered by SDR gives rise to a new category of threats upon the radio. The appropriate threats assessment will identify the necessary protections for the equipment in P&GS.
Implement high-data-rate capable SDR platforms, including information assurance:
The goal here is threefold:
- To implement the embedded software addressed in the item above on hardware suitable for high-data-rate, and to support the standard end-to-end in the radio set (i.e on GPP, DSP and FPGA). Flexible and portable high data-rate communication can be assured by relying on CORBA wherever possible.
- To implement the platform components (hardware abstractions) for programming and using the flexible radio front-end, and allowing to interact with the radio external interface (Input / Outputs).
- To design the platform by taking into account the security protection profile defined for the SDR platform.
Implement the SDR open business model, with separation of roles between SDR platform and SDR waveform provider:
This objective, although being an organisational one actually maps into an objective related to the maturity and significant coverage of the SDR (ESRA) standard, especially in supporting waveform portability, and also of the surrounding supporting community, providing tools, for instance allowing to adopt model driven development.
SDR platforms, and aspect specifically the purpose of a demonstration in this project.
Collaborative waveform implementation:
The wireless standards of today have become very complex and costly to implement. In order to address these aspects, collaborative implementation of waveforms identified (WiMax profile and Satcom) is proposed. This real challenge of co-development is addressed through the definition of some highly-formalised (functional breakdown and real-time constraints) waveform architecture description, in following the ESRA approach, and in integrating the waveform components inside an ESRA compliant timed simulation environment.
Address interoperability by defining precisely how SDR capabilities can be best integrated in a security (P&GS) communication system architecture:
In order to properly address interoperability, there needs to be a broader view than the core-waveform aspects, i.e also taking into account the relevant layers of the protocol, so as for example to enable connection between the SDR and WiMax handsets. This includes the relevant security authentication mechanisms. Subsequently, interoperability in the context of information exchange can be demonstrated. The project addresses the definition of higher-level open bridging interfaces enabling the true interoperability, interfaces to be implemented in SDR.
Experimentations and return on experience:
The project also intends to evaluate and experiment emerging techniques in waveforms. A feasibility study of satellite waveform, its engineering as an SDR waveform will be carried out. This gives some additional perspective with regard to waveform capabilities complementing the high-data-rate waveform proposal introduced above (in particular access to applications needed for long-range communications).
Project Results:
Project Management:
As it could be expected EULER project management was a real challenge from both technical and management standpoints. The consortium size, different dimension and nature of individual partners together with the technical issues experienced all along the project made WP1 a time consuming and critical workpackage. Key project management issues that needed the revision of the technical annex arisen, leading to the publication of five technical annex versions dealing with a separate issue each. Starting with version 1 (2008, October 14th), unforeseen events, some of them with heavy consequences, impacted the scope of the work and the partners involvement. As examples of those events we can mention issues such as the redistribution of budget from one consortium member to the other (following internal reorganizations forcing a partial withdrawal) or feasibility concerns for technical solutions (for details on the different technical annex versions and elaborated explanations on the EULER management experience please refer to D8.4 Evaluation report for more details).
While an R&D project, EULER was also an intensive engineering one, covering integration activities complex and difficult to manage. This engineering strand of EULER called for powerful, accurate and efficient management tools. In order to reduce travel costs EULER made a massive usage of distant working methods and tried to minimize face-to-face meetings to match travel expenditures restrictions. During the integration phases (primarily the latest period) those mechanisms reached their limits and could difficultly replace interactive meetings during which significant progress achievements were boosted. This aspect rendered complex the overall project management and meeting deadlines. Some of the technical drifts could be directly related to these constraints. As stated in D8.4 EULER consortium believes that the current framework lends itself well for R&D intensive projects requesting a limited amount of close collaborative effort but some improvements, aiming at more classical engineering projects driven by the tight organization requirements that integration and validation activities need, could be possible. As an example of the previous statement and while EULER consortium acknowledges that the current FP7 rules explicitly identify and deal with the potential transfer of resources from a partner to another and the freedom the consortium has to decide on this internally (duly informing the officer afterwards), EULER partners believe that this sort of decision requires negotiations of involved partners and coordinator a process that make decision making slow and difficult for addressing immediate engineering problems.
End Users involvement
Dealing with the end users involvement in an dedicated work package (WP2) served as the input for the remaining work packages and linked the EULER endeavours with external communities potentially interested in the project developments. The end users involvement was organized into three separated tasks.
The procedure to capture requirements and needs: The task basically designed the framework for interaction with end-users. The procedure designed was to follow a questionnaire oriented towards end-users and capable of extracting operational requirements from end-users experience. A first scenario based on a Tsunami was outlined and submitted to the end users. Following the first feedbacks, EULER consortium quickly realized that this scenario was not meaningful enough to trigger end users and a replacement context had to be designed. Thus the tsunami scenario was replaced by a more suitable European scenario: a Katrina-like storm in the Netherlands (proposed March 2010). This new scenario was adaptable with phases that gradually get worse.
The Animation of the pre-committed end-users group:
The list below summarizes all the end users interviewed:
• Spanish MoI – Emergency Radio Systems (SIRDEE) (INDRA, Law Enforcement agency)
• French MoI – Group of Police Cooperation (EADS, Law Enforcement agency)
• ENSOSP - Ecole Nationale des Officiers de Sapeurs-Pompiers (Thales, Fire & Rescue organization)
• French MoD – CELAR (Centre Electronique de l’armement),(Thales, Military research center)
• Protezione Civile Nazionale Italy (Selex Elsag, Civil Protection agency)
• Fondazione Ugo Bordoni (Elsag SI, Italian Civil Protection institution)
• MSB - Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency. (SAAB, Civil Protection agency)
• NPIA - National Policing Improvement Agency, Operational. (EADS Astrium, English Law Enforcement agency)
• NPIA - National Policing Improvement Agency, Technical. (EADS Astrium, English Law Enforcement agency)
• Royal Marechaussee - Gendarmerie, The Netherlands. (TNO, Law Enforcement agency)
• Brandweer - Firebrigade, The Netherlands. (TNO, Fire&Rescue organization)
• Danish Coastal Surveillance Administration (JRCC). (Saab, Law Enforcement agency)
The primary issue within this task was the difficulty to liaise with the pre comitted End Users group. The end-users were basically too busy or were not able to provide us with liaison person capable of grasping the EULER project, interested in the initiative or with enough technical background to discuss. It was also a challenge to get acceptance from the end-user to participate to the workshops even if travel expenditures were covered by the partners. Current economical context somehow impacted public institutions budget adding still more reluctance to their commitment for participating.
The Requirements from end-users were gathered by means of an iterative process, repeated twice. After the questionnaire design (in the previous task) at European level, the questions were submitted to each individual end-user by the contact partner. First set of requirements were thus obtained and harmonized. The questionnaire was re-designed following the first input and submitted again to the end-users. The final requirements set harmonization was carried out with the second iteration results.
Additionally, we compared the results of the questionnaire with other results from other project activities where the EULER partners were involved, namely:
• EC JRC Workshop on Interoperable communications for Safety and Security in 2010.
• HELP workshop in October 2011.
• EC JRC Workshop on SDR standardization in November 2011.
• CEPT FM49 input matrix from the Law Enforcement working Group (LEWG).
All the results of the questionnaires provide a good match.
The Harmonisation of end-users needs and dissemination of results
The harmonisation process on the whole set of inputs and information collected highlighted the following needs:
• Radio Frequency coverage and traffic capacity,
• End users were worried about lack of QoS guarantees,
• Interference immunity
• Reliability/Availability/Robustness
• Authentication/Access Control/ Confidentiality/Integrity
• Power efficiency
• Most important applications: Speech, QoS, Preemptions & Priorities, Database Access
• Least important: Bulk file transfer, VideoConferencing, Instant Messaging
• Easy and fast deployment, Coexistence with existing systems, Interoperability, Mobility
P&GS communication system architecture
WP3 was devoted to the overall system architectural design according to the requirements collected in end-users workpackage. This workpackage covered a wide range of activities.
Wireless systems techniques
The state of the art of relevant wireless technologies was examined in detail. These technologies included, Long Term Evolution (LTE), WiMAX and TETRA. The outputs of the analysis performed were correlated with the WP2 technical requirements outputs. The potential usage of these components in EULER was considered. These considerations in turn leaded to a set of recommendations for implementation of such components (to be undertaken in WP4, WP5 and WP6). For each technical requirement identified and classified five categories were created: Network architecture, services, security, PHY/MAC, other features.
General design
Design focused, this task aimed at the overarching EULER system design. With the inputs not only from WP2, but also from the previous task (in the form of the D3.1) and other similar projects (MESA, EMTEL, WINTSEC), a set of expected system features was outlined. The set features included:
• Expected services:
o Voice services: Standard call services, Direct mode, Recording
o Wideband data services : Instant messaging, RT location update
o High availability
• PS networks specificities
o Broadband data services : Data flows, Video applications, Enhanced services
o Rapidly deployable and ad-hoc features
o Interoperability with existing PMR networks
• System of systems architecture
• Considerations about deployment and configuration
The system general design was carried out following different phases:
• logical components design phase
• logical architecture design phase
• physical architecture design phase
• instantiation phase
Finally the General design task also performed a security analysis, including threat analysis for SDR, WiMAX public saftety constraints and EULER high-level architecture and the correspondings security measures to remedy these threats.
Added value services for end-users
The task was planned as mainly based on the analysis of the past projects. Some suggestions, requirements, features were investigated as highlighted by other EULER working documents.(D2.3) as examples we can mention:
• User-services identified in the analysis of past projects (D3.1)
• In-depth TReq-OpReq analysis and translation in order to well identify and classify services
System interfaces for control and bridging
The task undertook the definition and specification of the interfaces identified in the general design to allow the management of the network (supervision and maintenance), the QoS, the bridging achieved for Tetra/Tetrapol/Broad Band/Public Telephony network.
Waveform and Spectrum management specification
A significant number of activities were performed during this task:
• SOTA : Spectrum access in current mobile wireless networks
o License-Exempt Wimax system
o Wifi system
• EULER PMR broadband network description
o Relay station definition
o Spectrum definition
• Specification of corresponding API
• Application to existing broadband networks
o IEEE 802.16m LTE
• Simulation of the spectrum sharing in an EULER network
• Security threats analysis in the frame of spectrum management feature
Software defined radio standard and platforms
These activities were performed within WP4. This work package may be considered the most engineering oriented work package. Key issues of the EULER project were experienced within this work package. Despite the key issues, some of them critical, encountered when running WP4 EULER can claim a significant number of achievements:
• EULER has promoted SDR as a key solution to achieve the interoperability and portability goals
• EULER is an SDR proof of concept. The Euler waveform (EWF) was designed and developed with no specific assumption on the target platform. The EWF was developed in a collaborative way. Decomposed into three modules (MAC,SEC,PHY).
• WP4 results fully enforced the SDR business model: Separation of Platform and Waveform, and third party component providers.
These achievements were realized through the following tasks
ESRA recommendations extensions and maturation
The initial goals of this task (the revision and update of the set of recommendations and specifications generated by the WINTSEC project) were revised, since ESRA could be considered as partly obsolete (due to recent advances in the SDR arena - ESSOR, JTRS status, SCA next ).
Platform tests, benchmarking and certification procedures
A new software release integrated with Spectra CX v3.2 was produced. “SCA Test” automated test generation capability was added to Spectra CX model driven tool chain. It enabled SCA compliance test generation and target test execution environment. It was able to automatically generate test code for a component’s LifeCycle, PortSupplier, PropertySet, ResourceFactory, Resource and Device interfaces.
SDR platform set up
Addressing the development and integration of the SDR platforms Software development only, SDR hardware was ready before the project (spectrum signal SDR4000 and Thales IPBB). The RF from another task was integrated within this task scope. The operating environment (OE) was designed achieving true SDR-SCA platforms in terms of architecture and middleware. Two different platform solutions were provided:
• (TCS-IPBB) SCA compliant DSP ORB-less platform supporting MHAL communications layer
• (PRI-SDR4000) SCA compliant Full CORBA platform
The added value produced by this task was that two different approaches of SCA-SDR were followed and the waveform portability was exercised on top of these platforms with different OE views and architectures both recommended by SCA.
• (AUK-Proteus), provided and additional SATCOM platform. The original SDR platform intended for waveform porting as well was replaced by an external SATCOM link.
Radio Front End design, production, test and delivery
This task was key for the workpackage by providing a common front-end to be coupled to two distinct platforms. The electrical and mechanical interface was designed taken into account the specifications of TCS and Prismtech platforms.
Operating Environment
This task was intended to design and agree upon a common Operating Environment architecture mostly based on WINTSEC concepts. The WINTSEC decomposition of Operating Environment into Functional Environment and Execution Environment was elaborated to include Platform devices and Platform services on the functional environment part, and OS abstraction, Middleware, Reconfiguration infrastructure, Operating System, Board Support Package on the excecution side.
Platform components
During this task common (SCA) software components that provide services to WF or other application were defined:
• FaultManagement and Configuration service: implemented for Linux based full CORBA supported SDR4000 platform
• FaultManagement service: Monitors tests running on SW or HW components of a SDR platform with standard SCA interfaces - POST (Power On Self Test), IBIT (Initiated Build In Test), CBIT (Continuous Build In Test).
• Configuration Service provides interfaces for configuration of platform and waveform resources with the help of presets. The preset is an entity of one or more given property values to one or more components providing CF::Resource interface.
• SystemControl service: A software component to manage user profiles and account information’s was defined and specified. It controls the access rights to Configuration service module and through that the use of platform components CF::PropertySet::configure operation.
Information security for SDR
The task identified some security features providing response to the security threats established in task T4.1. Basic assessment security functions and recommendations, covering both architecture and implementation guidelines. These actions, whilst favorable provide some possibility for undermining an SDR system. Two significant contributions were made:
o technical/security aspects of Radio and Software Engineering,
o Alignment with the Commercial Attributes for the development of cost based on perceived supply and demand.
EWF integration on SDR platforms
These family of tasks performed the porting of the EWF on the two candidate platforms: SDR4000 and IPBB. The integration on the targets benefited from the validation accomplished on the Simulation environment. The integration was done remotely accessing the target platforms and in few face-to-face meetings. The T4.8 was divided into two subtasks each addressing individual platforms and related to individual deliverables (see below on deliverable results)
o T 4.8-1 waveform integration on SDR IPBB (platform 1):
o T 4.8-2 waveform integration on SDR SDR4000 (platform 2)
SAT multiple waveform integration and bridging between SDR1 platform and SDR4
Computer network connectivity between the IPBB and the Proteus SDR system was achieved within this task. This was easily reached thanks to the routing capabilities of Proteus and IP connection features from both IPBB and Proteus. This integration was therefore quickly completed and provided to WP6 for the overall demo network.
Waveforms and related components
A fundamental workpackage, WP5, targeted the EWF design. It proposed a high-data-rate waveform supporting the complex requirements of security forces (joint) operations. WP5 also implemented the SDR open business model, with separation of roles between SDR platform and SDR waveform providers. The main tasks of this workpackage were:
Provision of ESRA simulation environment
The main task input was OASIS, a simulation framework enabling the separated components integration and further validation prior to the target integration in the SDR platforms.
“EULER High-data rate waveform architecture”
T5.2 was devoted to the design of the waveform architecture. This design was done in collaboration with three partners involved each tacking one different layer. Physical layer for TCS, MAC layer for SELEX-Elsag and Security for INDRA. The full design was compiled in D5.2.
“Core EULER HDR waveform components”
Following the design of the waveform, each independent partner was wholly responsible of the internal design and implementation of the software modules. This tasks was thus dedicated to the independent implementation of the software waveform layers.
“Second (Sat) SDR waveform feasibility study”
The main EWF was examined in front of the requirements stemming from a satcom usage. The main conclusion EULER got here, are as follows:
ESWF key distinguishing characteristics:
o Physical layer: Dupplexing mode HFDD, Cell radius parameter fixed according to differential delay, Larger ranging window, Reduction of gross-throughput depending on maximum differential delay, Mobility capabilities verified accordingly (now a cell is a beam spot)
o Security sublayer: PKMv2 configuration and operation parameters (timers) are adjusted to the satellite link delay.
o MAC layer: ARQ mechanisms are avoided as much as possible (recommended FEC or hybrid ARQ). Readjustment of QoS parameters for the scheduling services
“EULER HDR waveform spectrum management component”
This task allowed to implement a software component enabling the optimal use of the RF spectrum, initially by sensing and then through authorised transmission.
“Management components”
It completed the provision of agents that will be able to be coordinated by a top level Fault Management Application providing fault notification and management features to EULER users.
“Application layer components provision”
This task included the provision of components for VoIP, video, call management. The voice service support for SIP or H.323 protocols suited for interoperability was made available. The video stream transport means were also provided.
Integrated wireless communication system
Integration workpackage pursued two main goals.
o Gather and integrate all the necessary equipments to obtain an infrastructure of heterogeneous wireless networks, Achieve end-to-end interoperability, Feasibility of a high-data rate waveform
o Give technical and engineering support to maintain the SDR/COTS based wireless network during the performance of the WP7 use cases and demonstrations
The Main tasks and achievements were
Overall infrastructure engineering and integration
The goal was to establish an infrastructure of heterogeneous wireless networks through the integration of different elements. An integration plan was issued at the beginning of WP6 as an internal deliverable to detail the methodology to be followed by the integrators. It also defined EULER integration steps/phases thereby for each integration step it was scheduled the location, time, participants, needed equipments and activities to perform.
Meticulous integration methodology was designed and thoroughly followed in WP6
o Detailed planning available from the beginning of WP6
o Clear identification of the material to be integrated
o All integration tests and results collected
Support to integration:
The coordination of the integration was implemented throughout this task. D6.1 compiled the different steps.
The main results of the integration activities can be summarized as follows:
An Integration report
This document summarized the main results of the system integration procedure. The following independent phases were identified and carried out.
INT 1.1: TETRA COTS-SDR1 Integration
o Integration of TETRA COTS with SDR1
o Tests:
o Communication between simulated TETRA network and SDR1
o Performance and reliability test between SDR1 and TETRA link
o Communication between real TETRA and SDR1
INT 1.2: WiMAX COTS-SATCOM integration
o Integration of WiMAX COTS with the SATCOM infrastructure (link between SDR4-SDR4’)
o Tests:
o Stand-alone WiMAX COTS test
o Performance and reliability test on the SATCOM bridge
o Communication with 1 WiMAX network and the SATCOM link
o Communication between 2 WiMAX network through SATCOM bridge
INT 2.1: Communication of EWF BS and SS
o SDR1 porting SS EWF and SDR1' porting BS EWF are integrated to communicate each other
o Tests:
o BS-SS network entry and data exchange with real MAC&SEC and dummy PHY
o BS-SS network entry and data exchange with real PHY and dummy MAC in Baseband
o BS-SS network entry and data exchange with real MAC&PHY in Baseband
o BS-SS network entry and data exchange with real PHY and dummy MAC in RF
o BS-SS network entry and data exchange with real MAC&PHY in RF
INT 2.2: Validation of EWF SS and BS
• A Test Procedure is used to validate SDR1 (IPBB porting EWF SS), SDR1' (IPBB porting EWF BS) and SDR2 (SDR4000 porting EWF BS) behaviours and their intercommunication.
• Tests:
o Early pre-tests: Individual verification of EWF characteristics fulfilment
o Parameter tests: Fulfilment of basic features and parameters in the RF radio link
INT 3.1: Subsystems & services integration
• Integration of all previous subsystems and application of services to the EULER integration scenario
• Tests:
o DHCP
o Domain Name resolution
o Network tests
o Web browsing
o SIP audio/video communication
o H.323 audio communication
o Instant messaging
o Multimedia Web services
INT 3.2: Integration Wrap-up
• This integration task validated the integration performed towards EULER demonstration (WP7) and harmonized the Integration Report contents to correctly close WP6 execution.
Demonstration workpackage
WP7 was intended to enable a feature rich demonstration at the end of the project. It basically used WP6 outputs to build the demonstration prototype. Main tasks results were:
“Definition of demonstration scenarios”
WP7 closely cooperated with WP6 for the final demonstration prototype definition and how to showcase the vignettes from D7.1. The vignettes from D7.1 were mapped to the demonstration platform functionalities.
“Systems and Terminal Interoperability demonstration”.
Many rehearsals were completed to guarantee success of this “flagship” demonstration.
The demo was showcased with success during the final review and the workshop. Especial attention was paid to the synchronization of all the partners playing the demo. Different roles were allocated:
o Normal day operations, with police cars using TETRA communications and dispatch center with IP technology on the other side of the backbone. Together with voice between TETRA and IP, added value applications like data transmission were showcased.
o First phases of the Katrina in the Netherlands crisis, involving TETRA to WiMAX communications and video on demand streaming distribution from the applications server to whole network for broadcasting information.
o The crisis grows up, new teams from another country enter into the area, beyond line of sight SATCOM capabilities are used.
“High-data-rate Security waveform portability demonstration”.
Leaded by SELEX this demonstration provided a complete summary of all the porting efforts undertaken during EULER. By means of a number of slides the “story” of the portability challenged was told with support from tools and platforms that highlighted the design methodology for the first and the running software for the latter.
Potential Impact:
EULER consortium puts its expectations high in terms of project results impact. The successful demonstration performed at the end of the project attracted significant interest from the audience and many questions were asked about the project and future developments in the area or related to the project.
EULER made full usage of military SDR standards, more specifically SCA. These standards were the basis for specifications, development, implementation and integrations. In other words the whole project life was sequenced in accordance with the SCA vision of SDR. It has to be highlighted that EULER is a unique project as it fully follows the SDR-SCA approaches and business model. The clear separation of waveform and platform promoted by SCA was the cornerstone for the portability exercise performed during EULER. It is true that this exercise was not entirely completed but many and important results were achieved. EULER was a proof of concept for the SDR vision and also exposed the though points and limitations that this concept still has to hammer down. It is expected that other initiatives in the field may benefit from the lessons learned by EULER. Whereas it is true that the clear frontier set between platform and waveform eased and speeded-up the integration of waveforms on platforms, EULER also reveals some lack of maturity that makes this task still very labour intensive and prone to errors.
EULER can claim a big progress beyond the state of the art regarding middleware technologies developed to address and remedy the aforementioned technological issues (basically low-level performance issues, such as memory and data bandwidth or real-time latency). Two consortium members put enormous efforts on architectural development for the operating environment software infrastructure that enables SDR promises such as reconfigurability and fast porting of waveforms.
The project has also proven the feasibility of the SDR business model. This has been achieved not only by the separation of platform and waveforms concerns paradigm but also by the separated design of waveform layers, carried out independently by individual partners. By defining collaboratively interfaces and accurate specifications of expected behaviours on both sides, the waveform may be implemented in parallel with success.
From a system point of view, the role that SDR enabled equipment may play for public-safety fast deployment scenarios was demonstrated. SDR could be the bridge among different first respondent technologies. It is expected that the validation of the technology showcased by EULER will foster the innovation on the field and facilitate the integration of these technologies in new PPDR hardware.
One issue raised during the final review was the standardization of SDR technology for the public safety industry. There are still important differences in terms of requirements between military applications from which the SDR-SCA specifications were written and the public safety applications. It is obvious that important steps have to be done before a convergence between these two distinct industries but EULER has demonstrated that the much of the requirements are the same and the project could be considered as an outstanding example paving the way towards a common vision for both industries.
The impact of EULER is expected to be increased by the wide visibility the project offered to the external users community. Involved in the project from the very beginning, end-users did participate to the requirements definition and helped in shaping the public safety vision for SDR.
Throughout the project, every possible opportunity was utilized to promote the issues addressed and raised by the project. These opportunities included professional magazines, scientific conferences and publications as well as events organized by relevant standardization bodies. In the following are a complete list of publications from the EULER project and a list of presentations given by EULER personnel in various related events. Note that the final demonstration event is included in the list of presentations. Finally there are two lists of direct contributions to the standardization bodies and documents.
List of publications:
1) Bruno Calvet, Les Technologies De Demain Au Service Des Secours, LIREC 9 (Lettre D’Information Sur Les Risques et Crises) newsletter published by INHESJ (Institut National des Hautes Etudes de Sécurité et de la Justice), 2010
2) T. Bräysy, J. Lehtomäki, B. Calvet, S. Delmas and C. Moy, Cognitive techniques for finding spectrum for public safety services, Proc. of MCC 2010 Conference Wroclaw Poland, 2010
3) Bruno Calvet, Nouveaux besoins de communication pour les services d’urgence et de sécurité, Forum ATENA, (an association composed of companies and persons working in the field of information technologies and communication), 2010
4) Raul Dopico Lopez, Interoperabilidad Entre Las Fuerzas De Seguridad Durante Operaciones Conjuntas De Emergencia, Spanish magazine USECNETWORK, 2010
5) O. Picchi, T. Sturman, F. Vergari, T. Bräysy, R. Dopico, G. Baldini, M. Luise, E. Bolzan and J. Diez Ruiz, EULER - The first pan-European SDR-based public safety communications platform project, SDR Forum 2010 (Wireless Innovation Forum and Product Exhibition), 2010
6) G. Baldini, T. Sturman, A. R. Biswas, R. Leschhorn, G. Gódor and M. Street, Security Aspects in Software Defined Radio and Cognitive Networks: A Survey and A Way Ahead, IEEE Communications Surveys and Tutorials, Accepted for publication, 2011
7) Bruno Calvet, Euler article in “Soldats du Feu magazine” (French firewighters’ professional magazine), 2011
8) Andrew Foster, Utilising the Latest IP Technology for FPGAs to Achieve SDR Architectural Consistency, Proc. of SDR´11 – WinnComm –Europe, 2011
9) Alejandro Sanchez and Eric Nicollet, Transceiver Facility implementation for a WiMAX-like waveform, Proc. of SDR´11 – WinnComm –Europe, 2011
10) F. Vergari and G. Baldini, Reconfigurable radio system in public safety: New generation public safety ICT, Proc. of SDR´11 – WinnComm –Europe, 2011
11) J. Vartiainen, J. Lehtomäki, T. Bräysy and K. Umebayashi, Spectrum Sensing in Public Safety Applications: The 2-D LAD ACC Method, Proc. of CrownCom 2011, Japan, May 31- June 3, 2011
12) G. Baldini, O. Picchi, M. Luise, T. A. Struman, F. Vergari, C. Moy, T. Bräysy and R. Dopico, The EULER Project: Application of Software Defined Radio in Joint Security Operations, IEEE Communications Magazine Vol. 49, No. 10, pp. 55 – 62, October, 2011
13) T. Sturman, C. Staples, M. Bowyer, S. Delmas A. Sanchez, R. Leschhorn, O. Picchi and T. Bräysy, Employing Software Defined Radios for International Public Safety, Proc. of SDR Karlsruhe workshop, Accepted for publications, March 2012
List of presentations:
1) April 24, 2009, Fabricio Vergari (SEL) and Gianmarco Baldini (JRC): Presentation in 2009 European Reconfigurable Radio Technologies Workshop and Product Exposition, Madrid, Spain. Title of the presentation: “Security aspects of reconfigurable radio technologies for public safety”.
2) October 28.-30. 2009, Fabrizio Vergari (Selex) presented standardization of SDR technology for both military and public safety usage in SDR Europe meeting in Paris, France.
3) November 17.-18. 2009, Timo Bräysy (CWC) presented Euler views on public safety communications in EDA SDR conference in Tuusula, Finland.
4) November 18.-19. 2009, Bruno Calvet (TCF). PSCE Forum included an exhibition of FP7 security projects and Euler stand and poster was presented among others. Brussels, Belgium.
5) November 26., 2009, Combined Euler WP2/WP8 workshop was organized in conjunction with Civil Protection Forum. Workshop was organized by Dimitrios Symeonidis (WP2, JRC) and Timo Bräysy (WP8, CWC). Euler project and vision were presented to representatives of dedicated end-users.
6) March 4.-5. 2010, Euler was included in a presentation delivered by TNO representative in 4th ESCI 2010, European Security Conference Initiative in Zugspitze, Germany.
7) March 11.-12. 2010, Euler contribution was given by Mr Baldini (JRC) to the presentation in ECO (European Communications Office) Workshop on Public Protection and Disaster Relief (PPDR) in Mainz, Germany.
8) May 4.-6. 2010, Eric Nicollet (TCF) presented Euler in ETSI TC Reconfigurable Radio System WG4 workshop in Athens, Greece
9) June 21.-23. 2010, Eric Nicollet (TCF): Presentation of Euler Transceiver implementation was given during 2010 European Reconfigurable Radio Technologies Workshop, Mainz, 21-23 June 2010 in Mainz, Germany
10) 2010 June 23.-25.Eric Nicollet (TCF): Presentation of Euler project in general was given during 2010 European Reconfigurable Radio Technologies Workshop, Mainz, 21-23 June 2010
11) June 28.-29. 2010, Olivier Sagnes (TCF) presented Euler in JRC ISPRA Interoperability workshop in Ispra, Italy. The title of the presentation was “Use of SDR to support interoperability”.
12) June 22.-24. 2011, B. Calvet (TCF) gave a project presentation “European Software Defined Radio for Wireless in joint security operations” in SDR´11 – WinnComm –Europe, Brussels, Belgium.
13) October 10, 2011, O.Sagnes (TCF) participated JRC ISPRA workshop on “Platforms and Networks for Interoperable and Efficient Public Safety Communications” and in his presentation Euler was one of the projects working towards the mentioned theme. Workshop was organized in Ispra, Italy.
14) November 17.-18. 2011, F. Vergari (Selex) participated JRC Ispra workshop on Software Defined Radio and Cognitive Radio standardization. His presentation addressed SDR and EULER related experiences. Workshop was organized in Ispra, Italy.
15) March 29. March, Euler public demonstration and 2nd WP2/WP8 end user workshop was organized in The Hague, The Netherlands in the TNO premises.
Direct contributions to Wireless Innovation Forum standardization body:
Ruediger Leschhorn (RS) acted as Chair of the SCA Test and Certification Work Group and a Vice-chair of the forum
Eric Nicollet (TCF) acted as a Chair of the Transceiver System Interface Task Group (TSI-TG). Nicollet ws also a vice-chair in « Coordinating Committee on International SCA Standards ». Moreover, Rudiger Leschhorn (RS) was a member of this committee.
December 2009. Raul Dopico Lopez (IND) and Taj Sturman (Astrium) attended SDRForum’09 conference in Washington . Connections to PS-SIG (Public Safety – Special Interest Group) created PS-SIG were essential to the Euler. Chair is Fred Frantz.
November 30. – December 3, 2010. Ottavio Picchi (Univ. of Pisa) presented Euler in the no. 1 reconfigurable radio event this year: SDR’10 !
June 22.-24. 2011. Five Euler related presentations were given in Wireless Innovation Forum European Conference in Brussels:
• Stephane Pontin (TCF), Transceiver Facility implementation for a WiMAX-like waveform
• Laurent Poyart (TCF), Component based approach for SDR waveform development on DSP targets
• Fabrizio Vergari (Selex), Reconfigurable radio system in public safety: New generation public safety ICT
• Andrew Foster (PRI) , Utilising the Latest IP Technology for FPGAs to Achieve SDR Architectural Consistency
• Bruno Calvet (TCF) European software defined radio for wireless in joint security operations. This general Euler presentation was an invited presentation by Rafael Aguado Munoz from Wireless Innovation Forum
Fall 2011. F. Vergari (Selex) contributed to a joint work group between WIF SATCOM Special Interest Group and Public Safety SIG, User Requirements Committee. SIG chaired by Daniel M. Devasirvatham (SAIC, US). Note the extremely positive reaction to Euler work received from DMD.
March 15., 2012. F. Casalino (Selex) presented Euler in a WIF Workshop “Disaster Recovery Communications” in San Diego. Title of the presentation is “EULER: European experience on radio communications re-establishment during crisis and coverage extension” The presentation was invited due to active dissemination by F. Vergari (Selex) towards WIF
2010-2011. The Transceiver System Interface Task Group (TSI-TG) will continue work on revisions to the "Transceiver Facility Specification. Euler implementation is used as a reference. Eric Nicollet (TCF) chairs the Task Group
Direct contributions to ETSI standardization body:
G. Baldini (JRC) acted as ETSI RRS WG4 working group chairman (Reconfigurable Radio Systems, Working Group 4 (WG4) deals specifically with public safety.
F. Vergari (Selex) contributed to ETSI RRS technical report: Reconfigurable Radio Systems (RRS); User requirements for public safety. ETSI RRS WG4, ETSI TR 102 734 v0.0.9
F. Vergari (Selex) contributed to ETSI RRS technical report: Reconfigurable Radio Systems (RRS); System Aspects for Public Safety. Reference to Euler included. (ETSI RRS WG4, ETSI TR 102 733 v0.0.11)
F. Vergari (Selex) contributed to ETSI RRS technical report: Reconfigurable Radio Systems (RRS); Business and Cost considerations of Software Defined Radio/Cognitive Radio in the Public Safety Domain. Reference to Euler included. (ETSI RRS WG4, ETSI TR 103 064 v0.0.8)
List of Websites:
http://www.euler-project.eu/
EULER collaborative research project gathered main European actors in the domains of radio communications and software to demonstrate how the benefits of Software Defined Radio can be leveraged in order to enhance interoperability and fast deployment in case of major crisis situations needing joint efforts from several countries.
Communication systems used on the field by security organizations are key elements enabling a fast an efficient restoring of security and safety. Large scale events require the cooperation of security organizations from different nations each providing distinct skills and capabilities.
In close collaboration with a strong group of end-users in Europe, EULER proposed a more agile, interoperable, robust communication system supporting a new range of services specifically tailored to the requirements of the end users. In order to achieve these goals, three main components were combined: a reference high-data-rate radio technique, a communication system architecture allowing integration of heterogeneous radio standards, and Software Defined Radio (SDR) as a key enabler.
The key targeted goals were:
Enable enhanced deployability for public safety organizations on a wide area crisis location: groups gathered to operate need their radio systems to coexist and inter-communicate easily, with a short configuration time. EULER provides a reference system architecture enabling faster on-the-field integration of such radio systems.
Enhance the capabilities of wireless communication systems to enable an high-speed communication backbone, opening the door to emerging types of services (such as on-field video, telemedicine, on-field sensors values transmission) but keeping backwards compatibility with legacy PMR ones also. To this end, a new reference high-speed radio waveform is proposed matching the functional, security and operational constraints of field conditions (e.g urban, rural areas, ...).
Provide fully programmable radios via a standardized software interface (Software Defined Radio), allowing to design and develop the system architecture and reference wireless communication waveform in a software-portable manner, bringing the full benefits of such an approach like the reusability components across multiple platforms from different organizations and suppliers.
The EULER consortium dealt with activities of several types. The overarching one consisted in interacting with public-safety organizations to shape and refine operational scenarios and requirements. Analysis, specification and interaction with standardization bodies, were the basis for implementation in the several domains the project was aiming at. These outcomes constitute one of the first European demonstrators of interoperability in a civil crisis situation based on SDR.
Project Context and Objectives:
The approach presented decomposes into the science and technology objectives described hereinafter.
Propose a new high-data-rate waveform supporting the complex requirements of security forces (joint) operations:
This objective is refined into analysis and selection/combination of needed waveform features (modulation algorithms, medium-access control, networking layer, and security features), facing complex requirements: support urban areas, support ad-hoc unplanned deployment geometry, mobility, support high-data-rate demanding applications (e.g video) with quality of service, graceful interfacing with networking standards, addressing security threats.
Relevant scenarios are considered in order to drive the proposal for a suitable high-data-rate waveform. The comprehensive set of features of WiMax and the increasing popularity of this suite of specifications was the basis of a waveform answering P&GS requirements.
A collaboration with the ETSI MESA WG was established by the EULER partners, in order to get cross-information between EULER and MESA actions.
Propose a standard for high-data-rate capable security domain SDR shared in E.U:
A core sub-objective is related to standardised embedded software architecture for Software defined radio. Existing SDR standards use waveform architectural decomposition into components. These components can be allocated within software defined radio hardware, composed of several types of computing devices: general purpose processors (GPP), digital signal processors (DSP), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), Input/Ouput capabilities, and programmable (wideband) analog capabilities (radio-front-end). While basing on the SDR specifications evoked above, and joining the recent European efforts (ESRA) on the topic, further definitions are provided (c.f section on state of the art later in this document) to completely enable decomposition of waveforms and component allocation to DSPs and FPGAs. These aspects are fundamental in allowing the realisation of portable waveforms. Especially when targeting high-data-rate performance, where the core features of the waveform require implementation in high performance DSP and FPGA. A suitable transport layer should be applied to ensure high bandwidth communication between the various components.
In addition, proper account for information assurance requirements is strongly required. The flexibility and re-programmability (e.g downloadable waveforms) offered by SDR gives rise to a new category of threats upon the radio. The appropriate threats assessment will identify the necessary protections for the equipment in P&GS.
Implement high-data-rate capable SDR platforms, including information assurance:
The goal here is threefold:
- To implement the embedded software addressed in the item above on hardware suitable for high-data-rate, and to support the standard end-to-end in the radio set (i.e on GPP, DSP and FPGA). Flexible and portable high data-rate communication can be assured by relying on CORBA wherever possible.
- To implement the platform components (hardware abstractions) for programming and using the flexible radio front-end, and allowing to interact with the radio external interface (Input / Outputs).
- To design the platform by taking into account the security protection profile defined for the SDR platform.
Implement the SDR open business model, with separation of roles between SDR platform and SDR waveform provider:
This objective, although being an organisational one actually maps into an objective related to the maturity and significant coverage of the SDR (ESRA) standard, especially in supporting waveform portability, and also of the surrounding supporting community, providing tools, for instance allowing to adopt model driven development.
SDR platforms, and aspect specifically the purpose of a demonstration in this project.
Collaborative waveform implementation:
The wireless standards of today have become very complex and costly to implement. In order to address these aspects, collaborative implementation of waveforms identified (WiMax profile and Satcom) is proposed. This real challenge of co-development is addressed through the definition of some highly-formalised (functional breakdown and real-time constraints) waveform architecture description, in following the ESRA approach, and in integrating the waveform components inside an ESRA compliant timed simulation environment.
Address interoperability by defining precisely how SDR capabilities can be best integrated in a security (P&GS) communication system architecture:
In order to properly address interoperability, there needs to be a broader view than the core-waveform aspects, i.e also taking into account the relevant layers of the protocol, so as for example to enable connection between the SDR and WiMax handsets. This includes the relevant security authentication mechanisms. Subsequently, interoperability in the context of information exchange can be demonstrated. The project addresses the definition of higher-level open bridging interfaces enabling the true interoperability, interfaces to be implemented in SDR.
Experimentations and return on experience:
The project also intends to evaluate and experiment emerging techniques in waveforms. A feasibility study of satellite waveform, its engineering as an SDR waveform will be carried out. This gives some additional perspective with regard to waveform capabilities complementing the high-data-rate waveform proposal introduced above (in particular access to applications needed for long-range communications).
Project Results:
Project Management:
As it could be expected EULER project management was a real challenge from both technical and management standpoints. The consortium size, different dimension and nature of individual partners together with the technical issues experienced all along the project made WP1 a time consuming and critical workpackage. Key project management issues that needed the revision of the technical annex arisen, leading to the publication of five technical annex versions dealing with a separate issue each. Starting with version 1 (2008, October 14th), unforeseen events, some of them with heavy consequences, impacted the scope of the work and the partners involvement. As examples of those events we can mention issues such as the redistribution of budget from one consortium member to the other (following internal reorganizations forcing a partial withdrawal) or feasibility concerns for technical solutions (for details on the different technical annex versions and elaborated explanations on the EULER management experience please refer to D8.4 Evaluation report for more details).
While an R&D project, EULER was also an intensive engineering one, covering integration activities complex and difficult to manage. This engineering strand of EULER called for powerful, accurate and efficient management tools. In order to reduce travel costs EULER made a massive usage of distant working methods and tried to minimize face-to-face meetings to match travel expenditures restrictions. During the integration phases (primarily the latest period) those mechanisms reached their limits and could difficultly replace interactive meetings during which significant progress achievements were boosted. This aspect rendered complex the overall project management and meeting deadlines. Some of the technical drifts could be directly related to these constraints. As stated in D8.4 EULER consortium believes that the current framework lends itself well for R&D intensive projects requesting a limited amount of close collaborative effort but some improvements, aiming at more classical engineering projects driven by the tight organization requirements that integration and validation activities need, could be possible. As an example of the previous statement and while EULER consortium acknowledges that the current FP7 rules explicitly identify and deal with the potential transfer of resources from a partner to another and the freedom the consortium has to decide on this internally (duly informing the officer afterwards), EULER partners believe that this sort of decision requires negotiations of involved partners and coordinator a process that make decision making slow and difficult for addressing immediate engineering problems.
End Users involvement
Dealing with the end users involvement in an dedicated work package (WP2) served as the input for the remaining work packages and linked the EULER endeavours with external communities potentially interested in the project developments. The end users involvement was organized into three separated tasks.
The procedure to capture requirements and needs: The task basically designed the framework for interaction with end-users. The procedure designed was to follow a questionnaire oriented towards end-users and capable of extracting operational requirements from end-users experience. A first scenario based on a Tsunami was outlined and submitted to the end users. Following the first feedbacks, EULER consortium quickly realized that this scenario was not meaningful enough to trigger end users and a replacement context had to be designed. Thus the tsunami scenario was replaced by a more suitable European scenario: a Katrina-like storm in the Netherlands (proposed March 2010). This new scenario was adaptable with phases that gradually get worse.
The Animation of the pre-committed end-users group:
The list below summarizes all the end users interviewed:
• Spanish MoI – Emergency Radio Systems (SIRDEE) (INDRA, Law Enforcement agency)
• French MoI – Group of Police Cooperation (EADS, Law Enforcement agency)
• ENSOSP - Ecole Nationale des Officiers de Sapeurs-Pompiers (Thales, Fire & Rescue organization)
• French MoD – CELAR (Centre Electronique de l’armement),(Thales, Military research center)
• Protezione Civile Nazionale Italy (Selex Elsag, Civil Protection agency)
• Fondazione Ugo Bordoni (Elsag SI, Italian Civil Protection institution)
• MSB - Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency. (SAAB, Civil Protection agency)
• NPIA - National Policing Improvement Agency, Operational. (EADS Astrium, English Law Enforcement agency)
• NPIA - National Policing Improvement Agency, Technical. (EADS Astrium, English Law Enforcement agency)
• Royal Marechaussee - Gendarmerie, The Netherlands. (TNO, Law Enforcement agency)
• Brandweer - Firebrigade, The Netherlands. (TNO, Fire&Rescue organization)
• Danish Coastal Surveillance Administration (JRCC). (Saab, Law Enforcement agency)
The primary issue within this task was the difficulty to liaise with the pre comitted End Users group. The end-users were basically too busy or were not able to provide us with liaison person capable of grasping the EULER project, interested in the initiative or with enough technical background to discuss. It was also a challenge to get acceptance from the end-user to participate to the workshops even if travel expenditures were covered by the partners. Current economical context somehow impacted public institutions budget adding still more reluctance to their commitment for participating.
The Requirements from end-users were gathered by means of an iterative process, repeated twice. After the questionnaire design (in the previous task) at European level, the questions were submitted to each individual end-user by the contact partner. First set of requirements were thus obtained and harmonized. The questionnaire was re-designed following the first input and submitted again to the end-users. The final requirements set harmonization was carried out with the second iteration results.
Additionally, we compared the results of the questionnaire with other results from other project activities where the EULER partners were involved, namely:
• EC JRC Workshop on Interoperable communications for Safety and Security in 2010.
• HELP workshop in October 2011.
• EC JRC Workshop on SDR standardization in November 2011.
• CEPT FM49 input matrix from the Law Enforcement working Group (LEWG).
All the results of the questionnaires provide a good match.
The Harmonisation of end-users needs and dissemination of results
The harmonisation process on the whole set of inputs and information collected highlighted the following needs:
• Radio Frequency coverage and traffic capacity,
• End users were worried about lack of QoS guarantees,
• Interference immunity
• Reliability/Availability/Robustness
• Authentication/Access Control/ Confidentiality/Integrity
• Power efficiency
• Most important applications: Speech, QoS, Preemptions & Priorities, Database Access
• Least important: Bulk file transfer, VideoConferencing, Instant Messaging
• Easy and fast deployment, Coexistence with existing systems, Interoperability, Mobility
P&GS communication system architecture
WP3 was devoted to the overall system architectural design according to the requirements collected in end-users workpackage. This workpackage covered a wide range of activities.
Wireless systems techniques
The state of the art of relevant wireless technologies was examined in detail. These technologies included, Long Term Evolution (LTE), WiMAX and TETRA. The outputs of the analysis performed were correlated with the WP2 technical requirements outputs. The potential usage of these components in EULER was considered. These considerations in turn leaded to a set of recommendations for implementation of such components (to be undertaken in WP4, WP5 and WP6). For each technical requirement identified and classified five categories were created: Network architecture, services, security, PHY/MAC, other features.
General design
Design focused, this task aimed at the overarching EULER system design. With the inputs not only from WP2, but also from the previous task (in the form of the D3.1) and other similar projects (MESA, EMTEL, WINTSEC), a set of expected system features was outlined. The set features included:
• Expected services:
o Voice services: Standard call services, Direct mode, Recording
o Wideband data services : Instant messaging, RT location update
o High availability
• PS networks specificities
o Broadband data services : Data flows, Video applications, Enhanced services
o Rapidly deployable and ad-hoc features
o Interoperability with existing PMR networks
• System of systems architecture
• Considerations about deployment and configuration
The system general design was carried out following different phases:
• logical components design phase
• logical architecture design phase
• physical architecture design phase
• instantiation phase
Finally the General design task also performed a security analysis, including threat analysis for SDR, WiMAX public saftety constraints and EULER high-level architecture and the correspondings security measures to remedy these threats.
Added value services for end-users
The task was planned as mainly based on the analysis of the past projects. Some suggestions, requirements, features were investigated as highlighted by other EULER working documents.(D2.3) as examples we can mention:
• User-services identified in the analysis of past projects (D3.1)
• In-depth TReq-OpReq analysis and translation in order to well identify and classify services
System interfaces for control and bridging
The task undertook the definition and specification of the interfaces identified in the general design to allow the management of the network (supervision and maintenance), the QoS, the bridging achieved for Tetra/Tetrapol/Broad Band/Public Telephony network.
Waveform and Spectrum management specification
A significant number of activities were performed during this task:
• SOTA : Spectrum access in current mobile wireless networks
o License-Exempt Wimax system
o Wifi system
• EULER PMR broadband network description
o Relay station definition
o Spectrum definition
• Specification of corresponding API
• Application to existing broadband networks
o IEEE 802.16m LTE
• Simulation of the spectrum sharing in an EULER network
• Security threats analysis in the frame of spectrum management feature
Software defined radio standard and platforms
These activities were performed within WP4. This work package may be considered the most engineering oriented work package. Key issues of the EULER project were experienced within this work package. Despite the key issues, some of them critical, encountered when running WP4 EULER can claim a significant number of achievements:
• EULER has promoted SDR as a key solution to achieve the interoperability and portability goals
• EULER is an SDR proof of concept. The Euler waveform (EWF) was designed and developed with no specific assumption on the target platform. The EWF was developed in a collaborative way. Decomposed into three modules (MAC,SEC,PHY).
• WP4 results fully enforced the SDR business model: Separation of Platform and Waveform, and third party component providers.
These achievements were realized through the following tasks
ESRA recommendations extensions and maturation
The initial goals of this task (the revision and update of the set of recommendations and specifications generated by the WINTSEC project) were revised, since ESRA could be considered as partly obsolete (due to recent advances in the SDR arena - ESSOR, JTRS status, SCA next ).
Platform tests, benchmarking and certification procedures
A new software release integrated with Spectra CX v3.2 was produced. “SCA Test” automated test generation capability was added to Spectra CX model driven tool chain. It enabled SCA compliance test generation and target test execution environment. It was able to automatically generate test code for a component’s LifeCycle, PortSupplier, PropertySet, ResourceFactory, Resource and Device interfaces.
SDR platform set up
Addressing the development and integration of the SDR platforms Software development only, SDR hardware was ready before the project (spectrum signal SDR4000 and Thales IPBB). The RF from another task was integrated within this task scope. The operating environment (OE) was designed achieving true SDR-SCA platforms in terms of architecture and middleware. Two different platform solutions were provided:
• (TCS-IPBB) SCA compliant DSP ORB-less platform supporting MHAL communications layer
• (PRI-SDR4000) SCA compliant Full CORBA platform
The added value produced by this task was that two different approaches of SCA-SDR were followed and the waveform portability was exercised on top of these platforms with different OE views and architectures both recommended by SCA.
• (AUK-Proteus), provided and additional SATCOM platform. The original SDR platform intended for waveform porting as well was replaced by an external SATCOM link.
Radio Front End design, production, test and delivery
This task was key for the workpackage by providing a common front-end to be coupled to two distinct platforms. The electrical and mechanical interface was designed taken into account the specifications of TCS and Prismtech platforms.
Operating Environment
This task was intended to design and agree upon a common Operating Environment architecture mostly based on WINTSEC concepts. The WINTSEC decomposition of Operating Environment into Functional Environment and Execution Environment was elaborated to include Platform devices and Platform services on the functional environment part, and OS abstraction, Middleware, Reconfiguration infrastructure, Operating System, Board Support Package on the excecution side.
Platform components
During this task common (SCA) software components that provide services to WF or other application were defined:
• FaultManagement and Configuration service: implemented for Linux based full CORBA supported SDR4000 platform
• FaultManagement service: Monitors tests running on SW or HW components of a SDR platform with standard SCA interfaces - POST (Power On Self Test), IBIT (Initiated Build In Test), CBIT (Continuous Build In Test).
• Configuration Service provides interfaces for configuration of platform and waveform resources with the help of presets. The preset is an entity of one or more given property values to one or more components providing CF::Resource interface.
• SystemControl service: A software component to manage user profiles and account information’s was defined and specified. It controls the access rights to Configuration service module and through that the use of platform components CF::PropertySet::configure operation.
Information security for SDR
The task identified some security features providing response to the security threats established in task T4.1. Basic assessment security functions and recommendations, covering both architecture and implementation guidelines. These actions, whilst favorable provide some possibility for undermining an SDR system. Two significant contributions were made:
o technical/security aspects of Radio and Software Engineering,
o Alignment with the Commercial Attributes for the development of cost based on perceived supply and demand.
EWF integration on SDR platforms
These family of tasks performed the porting of the EWF on the two candidate platforms: SDR4000 and IPBB. The integration on the targets benefited from the validation accomplished on the Simulation environment. The integration was done remotely accessing the target platforms and in few face-to-face meetings. The T4.8 was divided into two subtasks each addressing individual platforms and related to individual deliverables (see below on deliverable results)
o T 4.8-1 waveform integration on SDR IPBB (platform 1):
o T 4.8-2 waveform integration on SDR SDR4000 (platform 2)
SAT multiple waveform integration and bridging between SDR1 platform and SDR4
Computer network connectivity between the IPBB and the Proteus SDR system was achieved within this task. This was easily reached thanks to the routing capabilities of Proteus and IP connection features from both IPBB and Proteus. This integration was therefore quickly completed and provided to WP6 for the overall demo network.
Waveforms and related components
A fundamental workpackage, WP5, targeted the EWF design. It proposed a high-data-rate waveform supporting the complex requirements of security forces (joint) operations. WP5 also implemented the SDR open business model, with separation of roles between SDR platform and SDR waveform providers. The main tasks of this workpackage were:
Provision of ESRA simulation environment
The main task input was OASIS, a simulation framework enabling the separated components integration and further validation prior to the target integration in the SDR platforms.
“EULER High-data rate waveform architecture”
T5.2 was devoted to the design of the waveform architecture. This design was done in collaboration with three partners involved each tacking one different layer. Physical layer for TCS, MAC layer for SELEX-Elsag and Security for INDRA. The full design was compiled in D5.2.
“Core EULER HDR waveform components”
Following the design of the waveform, each independent partner was wholly responsible of the internal design and implementation of the software modules. This tasks was thus dedicated to the independent implementation of the software waveform layers.
“Second (Sat) SDR waveform feasibility study”
The main EWF was examined in front of the requirements stemming from a satcom usage. The main conclusion EULER got here, are as follows:
ESWF key distinguishing characteristics:
o Physical layer: Dupplexing mode HFDD, Cell radius parameter fixed according to differential delay, Larger ranging window, Reduction of gross-throughput depending on maximum differential delay, Mobility capabilities verified accordingly (now a cell is a beam spot)
o Security sublayer: PKMv2 configuration and operation parameters (timers) are adjusted to the satellite link delay.
o MAC layer: ARQ mechanisms are avoided as much as possible (recommended FEC or hybrid ARQ). Readjustment of QoS parameters for the scheduling services
“EULER HDR waveform spectrum management component”
This task allowed to implement a software component enabling the optimal use of the RF spectrum, initially by sensing and then through authorised transmission.
“Management components”
It completed the provision of agents that will be able to be coordinated by a top level Fault Management Application providing fault notification and management features to EULER users.
“Application layer components provision”
This task included the provision of components for VoIP, video, call management. The voice service support for SIP or H.323 protocols suited for interoperability was made available. The video stream transport means were also provided.
Integrated wireless communication system
Integration workpackage pursued two main goals.
o Gather and integrate all the necessary equipments to obtain an infrastructure of heterogeneous wireless networks, Achieve end-to-end interoperability, Feasibility of a high-data rate waveform
o Give technical and engineering support to maintain the SDR/COTS based wireless network during the performance of the WP7 use cases and demonstrations
The Main tasks and achievements were
Overall infrastructure engineering and integration
The goal was to establish an infrastructure of heterogeneous wireless networks through the integration of different elements. An integration plan was issued at the beginning of WP6 as an internal deliverable to detail the methodology to be followed by the integrators. It also defined EULER integration steps/phases thereby for each integration step it was scheduled the location, time, participants, needed equipments and activities to perform.
Meticulous integration methodology was designed and thoroughly followed in WP6
o Detailed planning available from the beginning of WP6
o Clear identification of the material to be integrated
o All integration tests and results collected
Support to integration:
The coordination of the integration was implemented throughout this task. D6.1 compiled the different steps.
The main results of the integration activities can be summarized as follows:
An Integration report
This document summarized the main results of the system integration procedure. The following independent phases were identified and carried out.
INT 1.1: TETRA COTS-SDR1 Integration
o Integration of TETRA COTS with SDR1
o Tests:
o Communication between simulated TETRA network and SDR1
o Performance and reliability test between SDR1 and TETRA link
o Communication between real TETRA and SDR1
INT 1.2: WiMAX COTS-SATCOM integration
o Integration of WiMAX COTS with the SATCOM infrastructure (link between SDR4-SDR4’)
o Tests:
o Stand-alone WiMAX COTS test
o Performance and reliability test on the SATCOM bridge
o Communication with 1 WiMAX network and the SATCOM link
o Communication between 2 WiMAX network through SATCOM bridge
INT 2.1: Communication of EWF BS and SS
o SDR1 porting SS EWF and SDR1' porting BS EWF are integrated to communicate each other
o Tests:
o BS-SS network entry and data exchange with real MAC&SEC and dummy PHY
o BS-SS network entry and data exchange with real PHY and dummy MAC in Baseband
o BS-SS network entry and data exchange with real MAC&PHY in Baseband
o BS-SS network entry and data exchange with real PHY and dummy MAC in RF
o BS-SS network entry and data exchange with real MAC&PHY in RF
INT 2.2: Validation of EWF SS and BS
• A Test Procedure is used to validate SDR1 (IPBB porting EWF SS), SDR1' (IPBB porting EWF BS) and SDR2 (SDR4000 porting EWF BS) behaviours and their intercommunication.
• Tests:
o Early pre-tests: Individual verification of EWF characteristics fulfilment
o Parameter tests: Fulfilment of basic features and parameters in the RF radio link
INT 3.1: Subsystems & services integration
• Integration of all previous subsystems and application of services to the EULER integration scenario
• Tests:
o DHCP
o Domain Name resolution
o Network tests
o Web browsing
o SIP audio/video communication
o H.323 audio communication
o Instant messaging
o Multimedia Web services
INT 3.2: Integration Wrap-up
• This integration task validated the integration performed towards EULER demonstration (WP7) and harmonized the Integration Report contents to correctly close WP6 execution.
Demonstration workpackage
WP7 was intended to enable a feature rich demonstration at the end of the project. It basically used WP6 outputs to build the demonstration prototype. Main tasks results were:
“Definition of demonstration scenarios”
WP7 closely cooperated with WP6 for the final demonstration prototype definition and how to showcase the vignettes from D7.1. The vignettes from D7.1 were mapped to the demonstration platform functionalities.
“Systems and Terminal Interoperability demonstration”.
Many rehearsals were completed to guarantee success of this “flagship” demonstration.
The demo was showcased with success during the final review and the workshop. Especial attention was paid to the synchronization of all the partners playing the demo. Different roles were allocated:
o Normal day operations, with police cars using TETRA communications and dispatch center with IP technology on the other side of the backbone. Together with voice between TETRA and IP, added value applications like data transmission were showcased.
o First phases of the Katrina in the Netherlands crisis, involving TETRA to WiMAX communications and video on demand streaming distribution from the applications server to whole network for broadcasting information.
o The crisis grows up, new teams from another country enter into the area, beyond line of sight SATCOM capabilities are used.
“High-data-rate Security waveform portability demonstration”.
Leaded by SELEX this demonstration provided a complete summary of all the porting efforts undertaken during EULER. By means of a number of slides the “story” of the portability challenged was told with support from tools and platforms that highlighted the design methodology for the first and the running software for the latter.
Potential Impact:
EULER consortium puts its expectations high in terms of project results impact. The successful demonstration performed at the end of the project attracted significant interest from the audience and many questions were asked about the project and future developments in the area or related to the project.
EULER made full usage of military SDR standards, more specifically SCA. These standards were the basis for specifications, development, implementation and integrations. In other words the whole project life was sequenced in accordance with the SCA vision of SDR. It has to be highlighted that EULER is a unique project as it fully follows the SDR-SCA approaches and business model. The clear separation of waveform and platform promoted by SCA was the cornerstone for the portability exercise performed during EULER. It is true that this exercise was not entirely completed but many and important results were achieved. EULER was a proof of concept for the SDR vision and also exposed the though points and limitations that this concept still has to hammer down. It is expected that other initiatives in the field may benefit from the lessons learned by EULER. Whereas it is true that the clear frontier set between platform and waveform eased and speeded-up the integration of waveforms on platforms, EULER also reveals some lack of maturity that makes this task still very labour intensive and prone to errors.
EULER can claim a big progress beyond the state of the art regarding middleware technologies developed to address and remedy the aforementioned technological issues (basically low-level performance issues, such as memory and data bandwidth or real-time latency). Two consortium members put enormous efforts on architectural development for the operating environment software infrastructure that enables SDR promises such as reconfigurability and fast porting of waveforms.
The project has also proven the feasibility of the SDR business model. This has been achieved not only by the separation of platform and waveforms concerns paradigm but also by the separated design of waveform layers, carried out independently by individual partners. By defining collaboratively interfaces and accurate specifications of expected behaviours on both sides, the waveform may be implemented in parallel with success.
From a system point of view, the role that SDR enabled equipment may play for public-safety fast deployment scenarios was demonstrated. SDR could be the bridge among different first respondent technologies. It is expected that the validation of the technology showcased by EULER will foster the innovation on the field and facilitate the integration of these technologies in new PPDR hardware.
One issue raised during the final review was the standardization of SDR technology for the public safety industry. There are still important differences in terms of requirements between military applications from which the SDR-SCA specifications were written and the public safety applications. It is obvious that important steps have to be done before a convergence between these two distinct industries but EULER has demonstrated that the much of the requirements are the same and the project could be considered as an outstanding example paving the way towards a common vision for both industries.
The impact of EULER is expected to be increased by the wide visibility the project offered to the external users community. Involved in the project from the very beginning, end-users did participate to the requirements definition and helped in shaping the public safety vision for SDR.
Throughout the project, every possible opportunity was utilized to promote the issues addressed and raised by the project. These opportunities included professional magazines, scientific conferences and publications as well as events organized by relevant standardization bodies. In the following are a complete list of publications from the EULER project and a list of presentations given by EULER personnel in various related events. Note that the final demonstration event is included in the list of presentations. Finally there are two lists of direct contributions to the standardization bodies and documents.
List of publications:
1) Bruno Calvet, Les Technologies De Demain Au Service Des Secours, LIREC 9 (Lettre D’Information Sur Les Risques et Crises) newsletter published by INHESJ (Institut National des Hautes Etudes de Sécurité et de la Justice), 2010
2) T. Bräysy, J. Lehtomäki, B. Calvet, S. Delmas and C. Moy, Cognitive techniques for finding spectrum for public safety services, Proc. of MCC 2010 Conference Wroclaw Poland, 2010
3) Bruno Calvet, Nouveaux besoins de communication pour les services d’urgence et de sécurité, Forum ATENA, (an association composed of companies and persons working in the field of information technologies and communication), 2010
4) Raul Dopico Lopez, Interoperabilidad Entre Las Fuerzas De Seguridad Durante Operaciones Conjuntas De Emergencia, Spanish magazine USECNETWORK, 2010
5) O. Picchi, T. Sturman, F. Vergari, T. Bräysy, R. Dopico, G. Baldini, M. Luise, E. Bolzan and J. Diez Ruiz, EULER - The first pan-European SDR-based public safety communications platform project, SDR Forum 2010 (Wireless Innovation Forum and Product Exhibition), 2010
6) G. Baldini, T. Sturman, A. R. Biswas, R. Leschhorn, G. Gódor and M. Street, Security Aspects in Software Defined Radio and Cognitive Networks: A Survey and A Way Ahead, IEEE Communications Surveys and Tutorials, Accepted for publication, 2011
7) Bruno Calvet, Euler article in “Soldats du Feu magazine” (French firewighters’ professional magazine), 2011
8) Andrew Foster, Utilising the Latest IP Technology for FPGAs to Achieve SDR Architectural Consistency, Proc. of SDR´11 – WinnComm –Europe, 2011
9) Alejandro Sanchez and Eric Nicollet, Transceiver Facility implementation for a WiMAX-like waveform, Proc. of SDR´11 – WinnComm –Europe, 2011
10) F. Vergari and G. Baldini, Reconfigurable radio system in public safety: New generation public safety ICT, Proc. of SDR´11 – WinnComm –Europe, 2011
11) J. Vartiainen, J. Lehtomäki, T. Bräysy and K. Umebayashi, Spectrum Sensing in Public Safety Applications: The 2-D LAD ACC Method, Proc. of CrownCom 2011, Japan, May 31- June 3, 2011
12) G. Baldini, O. Picchi, M. Luise, T. A. Struman, F. Vergari, C. Moy, T. Bräysy and R. Dopico, The EULER Project: Application of Software Defined Radio in Joint Security Operations, IEEE Communications Magazine Vol. 49, No. 10, pp. 55 – 62, October, 2011
13) T. Sturman, C. Staples, M. Bowyer, S. Delmas A. Sanchez, R. Leschhorn, O. Picchi and T. Bräysy, Employing Software Defined Radios for International Public Safety, Proc. of SDR Karlsruhe workshop, Accepted for publications, March 2012
List of presentations:
1) April 24, 2009, Fabricio Vergari (SEL) and Gianmarco Baldini (JRC): Presentation in 2009 European Reconfigurable Radio Technologies Workshop and Product Exposition, Madrid, Spain. Title of the presentation: “Security aspects of reconfigurable radio technologies for public safety”.
2) October 28.-30. 2009, Fabrizio Vergari (Selex) presented standardization of SDR technology for both military and public safety usage in SDR Europe meeting in Paris, France.
3) November 17.-18. 2009, Timo Bräysy (CWC) presented Euler views on public safety communications in EDA SDR conference in Tuusula, Finland.
4) November 18.-19. 2009, Bruno Calvet (TCF). PSCE Forum included an exhibition of FP7 security projects and Euler stand and poster was presented among others. Brussels, Belgium.
5) November 26., 2009, Combined Euler WP2/WP8 workshop was organized in conjunction with Civil Protection Forum. Workshop was organized by Dimitrios Symeonidis (WP2, JRC) and Timo Bräysy (WP8, CWC). Euler project and vision were presented to representatives of dedicated end-users.
6) March 4.-5. 2010, Euler was included in a presentation delivered by TNO representative in 4th ESCI 2010, European Security Conference Initiative in Zugspitze, Germany.
7) March 11.-12. 2010, Euler contribution was given by Mr Baldini (JRC) to the presentation in ECO (European Communications Office) Workshop on Public Protection and Disaster Relief (PPDR) in Mainz, Germany.
8) May 4.-6. 2010, Eric Nicollet (TCF) presented Euler in ETSI TC Reconfigurable Radio System WG4 workshop in Athens, Greece
9) June 21.-23. 2010, Eric Nicollet (TCF): Presentation of Euler Transceiver implementation was given during 2010 European Reconfigurable Radio Technologies Workshop, Mainz, 21-23 June 2010 in Mainz, Germany
10) 2010 June 23.-25.Eric Nicollet (TCF): Presentation of Euler project in general was given during 2010 European Reconfigurable Radio Technologies Workshop, Mainz, 21-23 June 2010
11) June 28.-29. 2010, Olivier Sagnes (TCF) presented Euler in JRC ISPRA Interoperability workshop in Ispra, Italy. The title of the presentation was “Use of SDR to support interoperability”.
12) June 22.-24. 2011, B. Calvet (TCF) gave a project presentation “European Software Defined Radio for Wireless in joint security operations” in SDR´11 – WinnComm –Europe, Brussels, Belgium.
13) October 10, 2011, O.Sagnes (TCF) participated JRC ISPRA workshop on “Platforms and Networks for Interoperable and Efficient Public Safety Communications” and in his presentation Euler was one of the projects working towards the mentioned theme. Workshop was organized in Ispra, Italy.
14) November 17.-18. 2011, F. Vergari (Selex) participated JRC Ispra workshop on Software Defined Radio and Cognitive Radio standardization. His presentation addressed SDR and EULER related experiences. Workshop was organized in Ispra, Italy.
15) March 29. March, Euler public demonstration and 2nd WP2/WP8 end user workshop was organized in The Hague, The Netherlands in the TNO premises.
Direct contributions to Wireless Innovation Forum standardization body:
Ruediger Leschhorn (RS) acted as Chair of the SCA Test and Certification Work Group and a Vice-chair of the forum
Eric Nicollet (TCF) acted as a Chair of the Transceiver System Interface Task Group (TSI-TG). Nicollet ws also a vice-chair in « Coordinating Committee on International SCA Standards ». Moreover, Rudiger Leschhorn (RS) was a member of this committee.
December 2009. Raul Dopico Lopez (IND) and Taj Sturman (Astrium) attended SDRForum’09 conference in Washington . Connections to PS-SIG (Public Safety – Special Interest Group) created PS-SIG were essential to the Euler. Chair is Fred Frantz.
November 30. – December 3, 2010. Ottavio Picchi (Univ. of Pisa) presented Euler in the no. 1 reconfigurable radio event this year: SDR’10 !
June 22.-24. 2011. Five Euler related presentations were given in Wireless Innovation Forum European Conference in Brussels:
• Stephane Pontin (TCF), Transceiver Facility implementation for a WiMAX-like waveform
• Laurent Poyart (TCF), Component based approach for SDR waveform development on DSP targets
• Fabrizio Vergari (Selex), Reconfigurable radio system in public safety: New generation public safety ICT
• Andrew Foster (PRI) , Utilising the Latest IP Technology for FPGAs to Achieve SDR Architectural Consistency
• Bruno Calvet (TCF) European software defined radio for wireless in joint security operations. This general Euler presentation was an invited presentation by Rafael Aguado Munoz from Wireless Innovation Forum
Fall 2011. F. Vergari (Selex) contributed to a joint work group between WIF SATCOM Special Interest Group and Public Safety SIG, User Requirements Committee. SIG chaired by Daniel M. Devasirvatham (SAIC, US). Note the extremely positive reaction to Euler work received from DMD.
March 15., 2012. F. Casalino (Selex) presented Euler in a WIF Workshop “Disaster Recovery Communications” in San Diego. Title of the presentation is “EULER: European experience on radio communications re-establishment during crisis and coverage extension” The presentation was invited due to active dissemination by F. Vergari (Selex) towards WIF
2010-2011. The Transceiver System Interface Task Group (TSI-TG) will continue work on revisions to the "Transceiver Facility Specification. Euler implementation is used as a reference. Eric Nicollet (TCF) chairs the Task Group
Direct contributions to ETSI standardization body:
G. Baldini (JRC) acted as ETSI RRS WG4 working group chairman (Reconfigurable Radio Systems, Working Group 4 (WG4) deals specifically with public safety.
F. Vergari (Selex) contributed to ETSI RRS technical report: Reconfigurable Radio Systems (RRS); User requirements for public safety. ETSI RRS WG4, ETSI TR 102 734 v0.0.9
F. Vergari (Selex) contributed to ETSI RRS technical report: Reconfigurable Radio Systems (RRS); System Aspects for Public Safety. Reference to Euler included. (ETSI RRS WG4, ETSI TR 102 733 v0.0.11)
F. Vergari (Selex) contributed to ETSI RRS technical report: Reconfigurable Radio Systems (RRS); Business and Cost considerations of Software Defined Radio/Cognitive Radio in the Public Safety Domain. Reference to Euler included. (ETSI RRS WG4, ETSI TR 103 064 v0.0.8)
List of Websites:
http://www.euler-project.eu/