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Industrie
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TNO-rapport
0100307980
Meerjarenprogramma 2018-2021
Topsector HTSM / ICT
Activiteitenplan 2018
Datum 1 oktober 2017
Auteur(s) Dr. ir. Anne Fleur van Veenstra, Drs. Henk-Jan Vink
Autorisatie A.J.A. Stokking
Managing Director Industry
Regievoerend Departement Ministerie EZ
Financierend Departement Ministerie EZ
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Contents
1 VP ICT ....................................................................................................................... 3 1.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................ 3 1.2 Summary ................................................................................................................... 3 1.3 Description ................................................................................................................. 4 1.4 External Connections................................................................................................. 8 1.5 Developments ............................................................................................................ 9 1.6 Activity Plan 2018 .................................................................................................... 10
2 Voorstel bij aanvullend budget – VP ESI & VP ICT ............................................ 12
3 Signature ................................................................................................................ 15
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1 VP ICT
Contactpersoon TNO: Henk-Jan Vink, Anne Fleur van Veenstra
Contactpersoon Overheid: René Penning de Vries
1.1 Introduction
TNO has a strong tradition in ICT research, mainly in the field of (mobile) networks.
The past years, TNO’s ICT research has established a leading position in the field
of Big Data, becoming a board member of the EU cPPP Big Data Value Association
(BVDA), and in the field of Cybersecurity. Today, new technologies are developed
to be applied to many different domains, such as Blockchain and Quantum
technologies. Since ICT is a major driver of innovation in almost every sector in
society, the ambition of the Information & Communication Technology Unit is to
guide national stakeholders in their digital transformation that takes place. The VP
ICT knowledge program covers this wide range of innovations in ICT. Specifically, it
focuses on eight core topics: Networks, Quantum, Blockchain, Cybersecurity,
Adaptive IoT, Advanced Analytics, Media Content Delivery, and Digital Policy.
The Meerjarenplan 2018-2021 presents the topics that the VP ICT knowledge
program aims to develop over the next years. An executive summary is provided to
allow for a quick scanning of the most important objectives of the program.
Subsequently, the eight topics that are covered by the VP ICT are elaborated,
followed by a description of how they aligns with external developments, such as
the formulation of Societal Challenges and the identification of Key Technologies
within the National Science Agenda Routes. Not unsurprisingly, ICT is important for
all of them. A description is provided of the changes that have taken place in the VP
ICT Meerjarenplan 2018-2021 compared to the previous Meerjarenplan. Since
developments in ICT take place at high speed, some major changes have been
made in the program since the development of the previous Meerjarenplan. Finally,
detailed plans are provided for the objectives of the VP ICT for 2018.
1.2 Summary
TNO’s Information & Communication Technology
Unit aims to guide industrial and societal
stakeholders in the digitization of their business
or domain. In order to do so, the VP ICT
knowledge program focuses on eight core topics
(see Figure).
Until 2021, the main goals for these eight topics
are:
• Networks: internationally leading the
development of the 5G standard, by setting up (pre)5G Fieldlabs for proof of
concepts, investigating the development of radar technology for 5G antennae,
and by developing Network Softwarization facilities. For 2018, the main
objective is to set up the 5Groningen 5G Fieldlab for precision farming.
• Quantum technology: frontrunner in developing post-quantum cryptographic
solutions. For 2018, a main objective is to set up collaboration with CWI.
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• Blockchain: nationally leading blockchain developments by setting up a
Blockchain Lab, a Rapid Prototyping Facility, in 2018, with a special focus on
federated distributed ledgers. We also aim to get a better understanding of the
implications of distributed ledger technology.
• Cybersecurity: developing innovative cybersecurity concepts for the financial
sector, such as risk based operations, Critical Infrastructure Protection,
automated security technology and smart Dark Web attribution solutions. The
SRP Cybersecurity will continue in 2018.
• Adaptive IoT: shaping IoT ecosystems in specific domains, such as Smart
Industry by developing technologies for adaptive data processing in complex
decentralized systems and for automated software development. In 2018, focus
is on technology development for adaptive data ecosystems.
• Advanced Analytics: shaping data ecosystems in specific domains by
developing privacy respecting analytics and explainable, transparent and
human aware AI. Applying these privacy respecting tooling in the Healthcare
domain is an objective for 2018.
• Media Content Delivery: expanding TNO’s leading international position in
orchestration technologies for multi-source media streams over hybrid networks
towards multiple devices and locations to create a fully immersive and social VR
experience. In 2018, these technologies will be applied to the domain of smart
cities.
• Digital Policy: setting up a national digital Policy Lab with key academic and
governmental partners, aiming at policy experimentation using new
technologies and data sources. The objective for 2018 is to create the Policy
Lab methodology.
In relation to the above mentioned goals, the VP ICT actively engages in
stakeholder management on the national (via COMMIT2DATA, the National
Science Agenda Big Data Route, and the B3C Dutch Blockchain Coalition) and the
European level (via the Big Data Value Association (BVDA), 5G (5GPPP), IoT
(AIOTI) and Cybersecurity contractual Public Private Partnerships, cPPPs) with
academic partners and partners from industry. Until 2021, our objective is to
consolidate this role. Furthermore, we aim to maintain our leading position in ICT
standardization and within industry fora, such as within ETSI, 3GPP, ISO, IETF,
HbbTV, and Broadband forum.
1.3 Description
A digital transformation is taking place in every sector of society as a result of data
driven innovations, artificial intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things (IoT). Data
and algorithms become increasingly pervasive and data driven innovations are
important determinants of economic success and societal impact. At the same time,
the distinction between the physical and the virtual world is blurring, giving rise to
cyber-physical systems. For all of these developments, secure, adaptive and robust
transmission of data is paramount. Challenges include the development of adaptive
architectures and systems, creating data interoperability and security, developing
explainable, transparent and human aware algorithms, and realizing complex
systems that are able to make sense of large amounts of data, especially from the
ever increasing share of (live) video content.
These challenges take place in all sectors of society. And at the same time,
businesses as well as societal stakeholders are faced with having to reinvent their
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business models based on data and the emergence of dominant platforms. Law
and policies that are able to sustain economic benefits and mitigate negative
effects, such as privacy infringement, are necessary. Sectors that have the specific
attention of the VP ICT are Telecom Providers, Government, Media, Financials and
Smart Industry with a focus on Agriculture. Information and communication
technology (ICT) is thus an area of innovation in itself as well as a key enabler for
innovation. To guide these developments, the VP ICT focuses on eight core topics:
Networks, Quantum, Blockchain, Cybersecurity, Adaptive IoT, Advanced Analytics,
Media Content Delivery, and Digital Policy.
Networks
For sustaining connectivity,
high quality, secure and
reliable networks are
essential. Until 2021, the
main objective in the area of
Networks is to be a
frontrunner in 5G (see
inset), via 5G Fieldlabs. 5G
offers opportunities for
different sectors, such as
self-driving vehicles,
precision farming, more
mobile and immersive
media consumption, and
Smart Industry. By setting
up 5G Fieldlabs for these
areas, TNO aims to
advance the technology and
support these sectors in
their transformation at the
same time. A related
objective is to become
leading in the development of mmW antennae (beamforming) for 5G, aimed at
telecom vendors, in collaboration with TNO’s Radar research group, as well as in
front end design (antennae and chipset).
TNO’s Information & Communication Technology Unit has a long history in
operating and managing secure and reliable mobile and fixed access to networks,
to ensure the manageability of the increased complexity of these networks that
need to work across operators (domains) and vendors (platforms). The next step is
the softwarization and virtualization (SDN/NFV) of these networks that is necessary
for realizing greater network capacity. Network Function Virtualization (NFV) is
virtualization of networks by using common IT infrastructure, architectures and
(virtualization) functionalities for telecom networks. In Software Defined Networking
(SDN) network functionalities become programmable and open for other (third)
party applications, which provides both innovation opportunities and security
threats. A related topic is Information Centric Networking (ICN) (as opposed to the
current host centric paradigm) which should lead to more efficient, scalable and
robust connections. In both areas, TNO aims to develop cutting-edge knowledge.
Quantum technology
A major breakthrough in computing capacity will take place as a result of the
development of quantum computing. For example, current information security and
cryptography will become obsolete when computing power increases. TNO is
founding partner of the QuTech research center for quantum computing and
5G mobile communication standard
5G is the next generation standard for mobile
communication. It will reconcile contrasting design
parameters such as high bandwidth, ultralow latency and
massive-machine type communication (see Figure).
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quantum internet. One of the main aims of QuTech is to build a quantum computer.
For this quantum computer to operate properly, other aspects, such as network and
security algorithms need to be developed as well. Until 2021, the quantum
technology topic within the VP ICT focuses mainly on one of these aspects: (post)
quantum cryptography. This is concerned with the investigation of the effect of
quantum computing on existing cryptography and the development of processing
intensive mathematical methodologies that are also reliable in the quantum era.
While the main focus is on (post) quantum cryptography, other topics that are
essential for quantum computing, such as quantum information processing, and
quantum communication and networks, will also be investigated to see where TNO
may be able develop a knowledge position.
Blockchain
Blockchain
refers to
distributed
ledger
technology (see
inset). As a
relatively new
technology,
many aspects
still require
further
research. The
VP ICT focuses
on six aspects
of blockchain:
business
models and
governance,
identity and
access
management,
smart contracts
interactions and
security,
performance and scalability, interoperability and standards, and policy, ethics and
regulation. TNO aims to become nationally leading in this area by setting up a
Blockchain Lab, a Rapid Prototyping Facility for developing proofs of concept that
also take into account the implications of the use of distributed ledger technology.
The VP ICT has a special focus on federated distributed ledgers. This means that
rather than current isolated blockchain developments, aspects such as
standardization, interoperability, and security will be developed. Nationally, TNO is
involved in setting up the Blockchain Competence Centre (BC3). This research
agenda combines the development of technical competencies such as in the field of
security, and developing strategic capabilities related to the wider societal impact of
distributed ledger technologies, for instance on government and on social
innovation.
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity is an ongoing concern for protecting our vital infrastructures.
Technology development in this area is shared with the Roadmap Cybersecurity
and Resilience within the Defence and Safety Unit of TNO. The technologies
developed in this area can be well applied in commercial settings (and vice versa).
The commercial application of cybersecurity technologies is the focus of this topic of
Blockchain - distributed ledger technology
Blockchain, or distributed ledger technology, was developed as the
underlying technology of the Bitcoin cryptocurrency. It is a distributed
consensus mechanism, meaning that it is a way to technologically,
uniquely track transactions in a network. Its potential applications are
manifold, including online trading, digitization of (governmental)
registries, data sharing between in (industrial) partnerships, and
tracking items across supply chains.
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the VP ICT. Within the program innovative cybersecurity concepts for the financial
sector, such as risk based operations, Critical Infrastructure Protection, automated
security technology and smart Dark Web attribution solutions, are developed. A
main instrument for achieving these objectives is via the Shared Research Program
(SPR) Cybersecurity.
Adaptive IoT
Adaptive IoT refers to the development of data and IoT ecosystems that allow for
data-driven innovations. In order to facilitate valuable or serendipitous combinations
of data sources or allow for very fast data processing in large complex
decentralized systems, several aspects need to be covered. Firstly, technological
innovations are necessary that allow, for example, ‘data locality’, which means
sharing and transmitting the analytical models rather than (large) datasets, or ‘on-
the-fly-changes’ to datasets while the process of data analysis within such a
decentralized system is hardly, if at all, interrupted. Secondly, data interoperability
needs to be achieved, also by realizing ontologies and reference architectures that
allow for technical compatibility and interpretation of the data. And thirdly, new
business models are necessary that allow for these innovations to not only
technically but also business-wise succeed. The main way of developing adaptive
IoT is to set up Fieldlabs that develop data innovations for specific application
areas, such Smart Industry Fieldlabs, in which all these aspects converge.
Advanced Analytics
The Advanced Analytics line of work encompasses
technologies and methodologies from areas such as
Big data, Machine Learning, and AI. It mainly
focuses on enabling data-driven innovations by
developing privacy preserving architectures and
tooling and explainable, transparent and human-
aware AI. Within this topic of the VP ICT focus is on
developing information security and privacy
respecting tooling, policies and technologies where
the end user is in control of his own attributes, and
shaping data ecosystems in which these tools are
central. Applications not only include environments
in which privacy is great importance such as in
Healthcare, but also in competitive environments
where companies do not want others to get access
to their commercially sensitive data, such as in Logistics or Smart Industry. A
technology that is central to these developments is homomorphic encryption (see
inset) that allows sharing outcomes of data processing, without having to share the
data itself. A second line of work within this topic is social sensing, which aims to
measure brain activity in in different settings, in order to attempt to gain insight into
emotion measurements for practical applications.
Media Content Delivery
The ever increasing consumption of video content, which takes up a large part (up
to 80%) of the existing bandwidth for telecommunications, gives rise to the Media
Content Delivery topic. Especially the expected growth of Virtual Reality (VR)
devices and applications is expected to increase this percentage further. Central
objective of this topic to orchestrate multi-source media streams over hybrid
networks towards multiple devices and locations images in such a way as to allow
for a fully immersive audiovisual media experience in professional or in
entertainment environments. TNO has an outstanding international position in this
field with a leading role in international standardization and a substantial IP portfolio
(with our partner KPN).
Homomorphic encryption
Homomorphic encryption
allows for data processing
(computing) without having to
decrypt and encrypt data
before and after processing.
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Digital Policy
The digital policy topic encompasses
TNO’s work on digital policy, often
concerning foresighting activities on the
implications of digital technologies on the
economy and on society. Focus areas
include big data, privacy, blockchain,
algorithms and AI, platform economy, and
public sector services and innovation. This
topic also encompasses developing
innovation and valorization strategies and
business models, for example for Smart
Industry. A related and specific objective
within this topic is developing data driven
policy making within the Policy Lab (see
inset). The objective is to remain a
frontrunner in public sector innovation in
the Netherlands, supporting national and
local governments in improving their policy
making by incorporating new technologies
and data sources.
Stakeholder management and
standardization
An important objective of the VP ICT is to
support all the above mentioned developments via actively engaging in stakeholder
management and standardization. Firstly, this takes place on engaging in national
and international R&D&I programs, such as Horizon 2020, several COST Actions
(networking activities sponsored by the European Commission), COMMIT2DATA,
the National Science Agenda Big Data Route. Secondly, several part-time
professors are associated with the program, connecting to relevant Dutch
universities (Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Universiteit Twente, Universiteit van
Amsterdam, Technische Universiteit Delft, Universiteit Leiden, CWI). Thirdly, TNO
is represented on board-level in advisory for a and contractual Public Private
Partnerships (cPPPs), including the Big Data Value Association BVDA, the 5GPPP,
ECP, and the PI.lab, and actively participates in the AIOTI and Cybersecurity
cPPPs. Fourthly, TNO has a long track record in contributing to the development of
standards, actively connecting with standardization groups and industry fora such
as ETSI, 3GPP, ISO, IETF, HbbTV, NEM, and Broadband forum.
1.4 External Connections
The VP ICT encompasses a major part of TNO’s knowledge development related to
the Key technology ICT. The main value created by ICT is in its application to in a
domain. This is explicitly mentioned by all eight Societal Challenges in their
strategic two-pagers; linking to other Key technologies and the Societal Challenges
is, therefore, of importance. TNO is member of the ICT Key technology team and
actively connects with, for example, the Societal Challenges Health, Safe and
Secure Society, Energy and Mobility. Within the National Science Agenda, ICT is a
key technology in many of the Routes, for example in Energy transition, Health,
Logistics and Transportation, Sensing and detection and Smart Industry. ICT is
especially at the core of the route Responsible Data, in which TNO is involved and
a ‘Startimpuls’ project was granted.
Policy Lab approach
Developing better policies by
incorporating new technologies and data
sources in different phases of the policy
cycle: for predicting developments,
developing experiments, and policy
implementation and monitoring.
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1.5 Developments
Developments in the field of ICT are characterized by a high velocity. Rather than
long-term development plans, proof of concepts are developed quickly and tested in
real life in order to advance their developments. Also, new ICT-based technologies
emerge quickly. Therefore, although some constant factors remain, the VP ICT plan
for 2018-2021 differs from the previous VP ICT plan (2015-2018). The main
constants are TNO’s excellent knowledge position in the field of Networks,
Cybersecurity, Big Data, Media Content Delivery, and Digital Policy. For each of
these topics, the main difference between the VP ICT plan 2015-2018 and the plan
for 2018-2021 is that within these topics we focus on the next generation of
technologies. Another main constant is our focus on complex multi-stakeholder
collaborations, such as in (but not limited to) the field of Adaptive IoT and Adaptive
Analytics.
Within the field of Networks most attention is now given to 5G developments as the
new generation of mobile communications. Furthermore network softwarization is
an ongoing process that is more prominent than in the previous VP ICT plan. In the
field of Cybersecurity, innovative solutions such as risk based operations, Critical
Infrastructure Protection, automated security technology and smart Dark Web
attribution are developed. Within the field of Advanced Analytics a main difference
is that focus is not only on Big Data but also on newer generations of data driven
innovations, such as explainable, transparent and human aware Artificial
Intelligence. The main focus of the solutions developed in this field is General Data
Protection Regulation (GDPR) inspired: privacy and transparency. For Media
Content Delivery, VR and immersive audiovisual media have become prominent
topics. Digital Policy is focusing not only on the next generation of public sector
innovation, where a shift is taking place from open data provisioning to the process
of policy making itself by the Policy Lab, but also focuses more widely on the
societal implications of new technologies such as Blockchain.
The most imminent change is that for the VP ICT plan 2015-2018 still a division was
made between the infrastructure related topics such as Networks and Media
Content Delivery and the topics that were mainly related to information and
information processing, such as Big Data, Privacy, and Digital Policy. This
distinction will become less clear in the future, which is reflected in the VP ICT plan
2018-2021. Influenced by of developments such as SDN/NFV, networks will
become increasingly softwarized and the impact of algorithms on society can hardly
be overestimated. Another distinction that is blurred is that with the adoption of the
GDPR Privacy has become such an integral part of Advanced Analytics that it is no
longer a distinct topic, but rather an aspect that always needs to be taken into
account. The e-Identity aspect of the Privacy and e-ID topic was already less
prominent since the adoption of new e-ID systems is stalled.
The second major difference between the two plans are the new topics that have
emerged: Quantum Technology and Blockchain. Regarding Quantum Technology,
the QuTech research center was founded in 2015, which makes this an emergent
topic for the VP ICT. And while Bitcoin has been around for a few years, 2016 can
be seen as the year in which Blockchain gained substantial attention. Therefore,
these technologies became part of the VP plan 2018-2021.
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1.6 Activity Plan 2018
For each of the eight topics, within the context of the VP ICT, specific results are
defined for 2018.
Networks
TNO will mainly develop its 5G activities in in the 5Groningen Fieldlab that was
established in 2017. This Fieldlab is focused on developing proof of concepts and
pilots in different sectors with innovations on mobile access, with specific focus on
precision farming. Research within the 5Groningen Fieldlab in 2018 focuses on two
main technological developments: SDN/Slicing and Virtualization/Mobile Edge
Computing (MEC). Other 5G Fieldlabs that we are involved in are the 5G Fieldlab
Automated Driving, in which automatic driving with 5G technology will be piloted,
and the 5G Fieldlab for live events in the Amsterdam Arena. Furthermore, in the
area of 5G two H2020 projects have started in 2017: Sat5G and Clear5G,
concerned with integrating Satellite into 5G and creating a 5G wireless network for
Smart Industry respectively. In the field of Network Softwarization, several research
infrastructures will be developed, in order to gain hands-on experience with these
technologies.
Quantum Technology
In the field of quantum technology, research on (post) quantum cryptography will
continue, as well as research following the world-wide developments in quantum
information processing and quantum communication and networks, identifying
opportunities for TNO to create a knowledge position in the field of quantum
technology. The VP ICT intends to build a closer relation with CWI in this field.
Blockchain
The main activity in the field of Blockchain in 2018 is the setup of a Blockchain Lab,
a Rapid Prototyping Facility that also takes into account the implications of the use
of distributed ledger technology. This facility can be used to develop proof of
concepts of blockchain activities across TNO. Within the context of the Blockchain
Competence Centre (BC3), TNO will continue to shape a national Blockchain
research agenda. Furthermore, based on this research agenda the VP ICT will also
continue to shape national ecosystems, such as the Techruption in Heerlen, as well
as other Fieldlabs that allow for experimentation and development of blockchain
applications, for example in the field of Smart Industry.
Cybersecurity
The Shared Research Program Cybersecurity will continue in 2018, focusing on
developing innovative cybersecurity solutions for the financial sector.
Adaptive IoT
TNO has gained a good position in setting up complex multi-stakeholder data and
IoT ecosystems. In 2018 the VP ICT will develop at least two technologies that can
be of great importance for the efficiency and effectiveness of such systems: ‘data
locality’ and ‘on-the-fly-changes’. Data locality refers to a technology that shares the
analytical models rather than (large) datasets. ‘On-the-fly-changes’ is concerned
with implementing changes to datasets while the process of data analysis within
such a decentralized system is hardly, if at all, interrupted. Having a stronger focus
on technology development in addition to shaping these data and IoT ecosystems,
should allow us to gain a stronger position in this field. Ongoing activities are the
development of a Smart Industry data sharing infrastructure in the Productive Ecsel
project. A related activity that will start in 2018 is the development of an automated
software testing facility within the TESTOMAT ITEA project.
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Advanced Analytics
The privacy respecting architecture and tooling that have been developed over the
last few years, based on homomorphic encryption (such as the TrustTester data
validation technology and the PRANAdata privacy respecting architecture) have
gained considerable attention and will continue to be developed in several projects.
Two prominent examples are the National Science Agenda Big Data Route Start
Impulse project, aimed to develop guidelines for responsible data sharing, and the
H2020 Lighthouse project Big Medilytics, aimed at realizing cost savings in
Healthcare using Big Data. Within the work on social sensing and measurement of
emotions, the Quantified Consumer project will continue, measuring consumers’
emotions to specific triggers. Furthermore, in this line of work emotion
measurement of school classes with children with aggressive behavior will be
carried out, within the National Science Agenda Youth Route.
Media Content Delivery
Within the Media Content Delivery topic, the most important trend that is addressed
is VR. A first project aimed at expanding TNO’s leading international position in this
field is the MOS2S ITEA project, which will develop and test media orchestration
technologies and solutions in a smart city environment. A second is the VRTogether
H2020 project which will continue to develop TNO’s media orchestration
technologies for VR. A related activity that will commence in 2018 is an
investigation of the requirements for Tactile Internet. In addition to sound and
images, it will become possible to transfer touch and feeling across the internet, for
example when operating an exoskeleton.
Digital Policy
Knowledge development within the Digital Policy topic in 2018 focuses in three
areas. A first group works on the societal, economic and policy implications of
digital technologies and innovations, such as in the coordination action on Big Data
in Europe BVDe H2020 project, and in the TOOP H2020 Large Scale Pilot aiming to
creating seamless service delivery via the ‘Once Only Principle’ between EU
governments. A second group is concerned with innovation and business models,
mainly in the area of Smart Industry. The I4MS project is concerned with the
development of methodologies for digital innovation policy, such as the Digital
Innovation Hubs envisaged by the European Commission. The third development is
setting up the Policy Lab joint innovation environment for incorporating new digital
technologies and data sources into policy making. An important objective for 2018
is to develop a methodology for the Policy Lab.
Stakeholder management and standardization
The main objective for 2018 is to consolidate TNO’s role in international research
communities, cPPPs, standardization and business fora. The COST Actions
IRACON, on radio communication for 5G, RECODIS, on Cybersecurity, will
continue in 2018.
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2 Voorstel bij aanvullend budget – VP ESI & VP ICT
Tijdens het opstellen van dit meerjarenplan 2018-2021 was er nog geen duidelijkheid over eventueel nieuw onderzoek- en innovatiebeleid van het nieuwe kabinet. Als er binnen dit beleid ruimte is voor additionele financiering voor toegepast onderzoek, ziet TNO kansen om de kennisontwikkeling zoals beschreven in dit rapport te versnellen en te intensiveren.
Voor het geval dat er inderdaad extra budget beschikbaar zou komen hebben het
VP ESI en het VP ICT – de twee VP’s die vallen onder de huidige Roadmap
Networked Information en de nieuwe Unit Information & Communciation technology
– gezamenlijk een viertal onderwerpen opgesteld op basis van het Meerjarenplan
die geïntensiveerd zouden kunnen worden vanaf 2018.
Het eerste voorstel (en prioriteit voor NI/DI) is om het tekort aan SMO binnen het
VP ESI, dat is ontstaan als gevolg van afspraken ten tijde van de overname van
ESI, af te dekken. Dit past ook in de TNO strategie om meer in te zetten op Joint
Innovation Centers (JICs).
De andere drie voorstellen komen vanuit het VP ICT en betreffen investeringen in
(virtuele) onderzoeksfaciliteiten, waarvoor een substantiële uren inspanning
noodzakelijk is. In deze faciliteiten wordt hands-on kennis opgebouwd met 5G,
SDN/NFV en Blockchain waar in meerdere projecten (kennisprojecten én
commerciële projecten) gebruik gemaakt van kan worden. Deze voorstellen zijn in
lijn met de prioriteiten/intensiveringen die vanuit het Topteam ICT worden
aangegeven in het innovatiecontract 2018/2019. Deze prioriteiten zijn:
• versterken van de Basis (huidige financiële middelen): Big Data en
Cybersecurity, alsmede voorbereidend werk op AI, Blockchain, 5G; en
• als er sprake is van groei van de middelen: bovenstaand, maar gelijk
doorpakken op AI, Blockchain en 5G. Daarnaast oppakken ‘QuSoft’ valorisatie
en System Software Engineering.
1. Financiering VP ESI (VP ESI)
Ten tijde van de overname van ESI is een aantal afspraken gemaakt over de
financiering van de voortzetting van Embedded Systems onderzoek, recent
aangevuld met afspraken tussen de ESI partnerraad, TKI HTSM en TNO. Gezien
het belang dat TNO hecht aan het opzetten van JICs, is het voorstel ook dat
eventuele additionele Rijksbijdrage wordt ingezet op ESI onderzoek. De activiteiten
van het VP ESI zijn beschreven in het VP Meerjarenplan 2018-2021 van de
Topsector HTSM.
2. 5G Lab (VP ICT)
5G is de volgende standaard in mobiele communicatie die niet alleen een ultra lage
latency moet hebben, maar waar ook verschillende ‘verticals’ (domeinen als media,
automotive, smart cities en hun sensornetwerken) gebruik van gaan maken, vaak
met hoge eisen aan het netwerk (denk aan zelfrijdende auto’s). TNO doet
onderzoek naar hoe een dergelijke standaard eruit moet komen te zien, specifiek
naar wat dit betekent voor de radiocommunicatie en voor de netwerkarchitectuur.
Hiertoe heeft TNO al het Hi5 platform gebouwd, een Open5GCore die, voor zover
bekend, de meest geavanceerde 5G proefomgeving is die beschikbaar is in de
markt. Dit platform heeft uitbreiding nodig om 5G mogelijk te maken, en in het
bijzonder voor het onderwerp slicing. Slicing maakt 5G netwerken flexibel zodat ze
in verschillende omstandigheden kunnen functioneren en ze voldoen aan de eisen
van de verschillende verticals (zie Figure 1). Slicing is gerelateerd aan Software
Defined Networking (SDN). Het doel is om slicing te ontwikkelen over het Hi5
TNO-rapport | 0100307980 13 / 15
platform en om te onderzoeken hoe slicing en SDN samenhangen en elkaar
beïnvloeden. De resultaten beïnvloeden het proces van standaardisatie binnen
3GPP. Belangrijkste toepassingsdomeinen zijn de telecomaanbieders en de
verschillende verticals.
Figure 1: Possible 5G network slices structure.
3. Software Defined Networking (SDN)/Network Function Virtualization (NFV)
Cloud Lab
Om de doelstellingen voor 5G te behalen, vindt ‘softwarisering’ van
telecommunicatienetwerken plaats. Hoewel er veel proofs of concept zijn
uitgevoerd, behalen de meeste nog niet het gewenste niveau van
programmeerbaarheid, flexibiliteit, veiligheid en kwaliteit dat wel mogelijk zou
moeten zijn met SDN en NFV technologieën. Automatisch netwerk management,
orkestratie, monitoring en een standaard architectuur zijn nodig om de volgende
generatie netwerken operationeel te krijgen en de verschillende doelstellingen van
5G te realiseren. Daarom is het SDN/NFV Cloud Lab een belangrijke toevoeging
aan de faciliteiten op het gebied van 5G, zoals het Hi5 platform. Ontwikkeling van
het SDN/NFV Cloud Lab richt zich primair op twee aspecten: 1) bepalen welke
specificaties de hardware moet krijgen en 2) welke management en orkestratie
frameworks zijn nodig of moeten worden ontwikkeld voor een telco platform waarop
TNO 5G innovatieprojecten kan uitvoeren. Doel is dan ook het ontwikkelen en
opzetten van een 5G SDN/NFV Cloud Lab, dat TNO in staat stelt om
innovatieprojecten uit te voeren en aspecten van netwerk softwarisering te
realiseren die noodzakelijk zijn voor 5G. Het SDN/NFFV Cloud Lab moet
interoperabel zijn met 5G en SDN/NFV Labs van andere organisaties zoals
Fraunhofer FOKUS, KPN en Telefonica. Het SDN/NFV Cloud Lab biedt dus
belangrijke kansen voor toepassing in de (inter)nationale telecom operator markt
zoals het ETIC multi-operator samenwerkingsverband en voor TNO om mee te
doen aan internationale (EU) onderzoeksprojecten als FIRE en H2020.
4. Blockchain Lab
Blockchain, of distributed ledger technologie, is ontwikkeld als de onderliggende
technologie van de Bitcoin cryptocurrency. Het kan gezien worden als
gedistribueerd consensus mechanisme, wat betekent dat het gebruikt kan worden
om via technologie transacties op eenduidige wijze vast te leggen. Er zijn veel
mogelijke toepassingsgebieden, zoals voor online transacties, digitalisering van
(overheids)registers, uitwisselen van commercieel gevoelige gegevens en het
tracken van producten in toeleveringsketens. Omdat het een relatief nieuwe
technologie betreft, is er nog veel onderzoek nodig, bijvoorbeeld naar identiteit- en
access management, interacties tussen smart contracts en veiligheid, performance
TNO-rapport | 0100307980 14 / 15
en stabiliteit en interoperabiliteit en standaarden. Op dit moment doet TNO
projecten op het gebied van Blockchain voor al deze verschillende toepassingen en
binnen verschillende domeinen. Deze projecten moeten kunnen voortbouwen op
een stevige kennisbasis. Daarvoor wordt deze Blockchain Rapid Protyping facility
opgezet. Het opzetten van het Blockchain Lab moet bijdragen aan TNO’s leidende
positie binnen Nederland. Het omvat een up-to-date technische Blockchain
architectuur en een demo faciliteit waarin lopende projecten worden gevisualiseerd.
Het toepassingsgebied is zeer breed: TNO werkt op het gebied van Blockchain o.a.
samen met banken, verzekeringsmaatschappijen, ziekenhuizen en
overheidspartijen.
Indien het nieuwe kabinet in de komende jaren additionele financiële ruimte creëert voor het toegepast onderzoek, zal TNO het programma actualiseren en aangeven welke onderwerpen, met inachtneming van de aanwijzingen van de overheid, zullen worden versterkt.