Presenters:
Hiroshi Sakai, AS Business Partners Co., Ltd,
Josef Faller, Homefiber

Abstract

Home networks
The Internet has grown faster than we expected, and it has changed our daily lives. In addition, broadband has become very popular, and it is thought to bring a boost for applications and services on the Internet. We explain the typical phenomena of the broadband network in Japan. These phenomena bring the chance of renewal of home networks. There are many types of home networking solutions in Japan, which are mainly distributed by consumer electronics manufacturers. There are some new services and applications using broadband networks and home networks, which are focused on supporting our personal life and home life. We introduce a couple of examples of services and applications, including the interaction between mobile phone and TV broadcasting programmes as well as a new type of Video on Demand (VOD).

The new topic of POF
Plastic Optical Fibre (POF) has significant advantages for the home network applications among other physical media. Uniqueness of the POF can be characterized as its user-friendly features, such as simple and easy termination process, usage of visible light source and immunity against electromagnetic interference. Besides these essential requirements, safety and cost sensitiveness are also thought to be critical in residential circumstance. To consider the potential of POF for the home network market opportunity, this presentation reviews the features of POF and proposes optimized solution to the requirements stated above.

Hiroshi Sakai joined Systems Engineering Div., Hitachi Co.,Ltd. in 1973 where brilliant works were achieved in the fields of IT & multimedia. From 1994 Hiroshi Sakai initiated and lead the FTTH-based CATV project and successfully introduced it to the market in 1997. He became General Manager at Systems Engineering Div. In 2002, he moved to Nippon System Development Co., Ltd. as a board director as well as COO, NSD America Inc., having concluded alliances with some US IT companies. From 2006 he acted as the president of IBE Holdings Inc. and is working as Senior Adviser. In 2008 he established a new company, AS Business Partners Co., Ltd. He holds a Master's degree from Keio University (Electric Engineering Dept) and is a certified Professional Engineer in electronics and information technology.

Presenter: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dominic O'Brien, University of Oxford, United Kingdom

Abstract
Gigabit home access networks (HANs) are a pivotal technology to be developed if the European Union (EU) Vision of the Future Internet is to be realised. Consumers will require such HANs to be simple to install, without any new wires. The hOME Gigabit Access (OMEGA) HAN project aims at bridging the gap between home and access network, providing Gbit/s connectivity to users. This presentation will describe the expected progress and the main objectives of Hybrid Wireless Optic (HWO) of which work package number 4 (WP4) within the OMEGA project is comprised. The HWO work aims on combining optical wireless  communications techniques in order to provide robust communication by use of either IRC for Gbit/s line of sight or VLC for broadcast coverage at lower data rates. In addition, an HWO ‘inter-MAC’ layer will be developed to control the channels available. Thus, a complete HWO prototype will be incorporated into the OMEGA platform.

Dr Dominic O'Brien is a Reader in Engineering Science at the University of Oxford, and leads the optical wireless communications group. His research is in the field of optical wireless systems, including integrated transceiver components for high-speed networks, retroreflecting transceivers, optical channel characterisation and aspects of optoelectronic component integration.

Presenter: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ruediger Kays, Chair of the Communication Technology Institute at Dortmund University of Technology

Abstract
This presentation outlines OMEGA’s concept to realize a wireless home network providing gigabit throughput and enabling efficient distribution of electronic media in the home with high quality and reliability. With focus on radio technologies, challenges, market relevance and success criteria will be addressed. Technological limitations and OMEGA’s approach to solve them will be highlighted.

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Rüdiger Kays received his diploma degree in 1981 and his Ph.D. in 1986 at the Dortmund University of Technology. He was then with Grundig, Germany, where he was responsible for the company’s research and advanced development centre. In 1999 he became full professor at the Dortmund University of Technology. His research topics cover signal processing of video information, multimedia and enhanced TV systems and networks for electronic media.

Presenter: Olivier Isson, SPiDCOM technologies, France

Abstract
The challenges related to the development of very high speed power line communication (PLC) systems in the home environment is addressed. The development of such a technology is fundamental to realize the objective of reliably delivering new high speed services in the home environment in a network that integrates in a coordinated fashion also wireless systems. That is, an in-house network with the need of "no new wires". An overview of the state of the art PLC technology is presented, and then Omega vision on application scenarios, and requirements are detailed. The problem related to transmission bandwidth, channel modeling, capacity evaluation is described, as well as the novel advanced transmission technologies that enable reliable high speed transmission. It is then shown that by enhancing current technology bandwidth up to 100 MHz, Gbps transmission is achievable.

Presenter: Andreas Foglar, Infineon, Germany

Abstract
Inter-MAC is an additional sub-layer within the layer 2. It adds features such as auto-configuration, QoS, redundancy, security etc. to the OMEGA network. It provides guaranteed data rates for media streams within the home network. It exploits synergies among various shared media allowing less complex implementation. Inter-MAC includes control and management plane for call setup and configuration.

Andreas Foglar started his career 1986 at Siemens with a diploma in physics. In the Central Labs of the Public Network division he participated in the development of early broadband switches. 1994 Andreas moved to Siemens Semiconductor division where he was responsible for the product definition of broadband ICs. In this time he was active contributor to standardisation in ATM Forum. In 2000 Siemens Semiconductor was carved out of Siemens under the new name Infineon Technologies. At that time Andreas became member of the Steering Group Applications of the Medea+ programme. He participated in the FP6 project MUSE, FP7 OMEGA and was project leader of Medea projects UNIACCESS and PLANETS. As project leader of the Medea+ project PLANETS he provided an IP based QoS solution. Today Andreas is responsible for organising innovation projects and coordinating funding projects within the Access Networks business unit.