The mission statement of NOMAD is the research, specification, development and demonstration of middleware capable of seamlessly integrating available and future heterogeneous and homogenous network technologies (i.e. UMTS, HiperLAN2) as well as Internet-compatible, multi-hop ad-hoc networks into a single integrated network platform. Highly innovative technologies like mobility between devices and new algorithms for parallel usage of multiple access interfaces, will be an essential part of NOMAD. Further, NOMAD will support transparent service discovery and provision over integrated networks by the means of an intelligent service location and configuration middleware mechanism. It will enable users to locate resources and services within their physical and network environment regardless of the underlying network technology. Special focus of the service discovery process will be the integration of user profiles and positioning systems information.

Expected Results

 Development of a prototype for integrated network platform which will incorporate a series of modern wireless and wirelined access technologies.  The bearer networks will be based on  UMTS, GPRS, and IEEE 802.11b.  The usage of industry standards is imperative to ensure highest compatibility and industry acceptance.

 Development of facilities for the transparent discovery and provision of services on an integrated platform. This includes the necessary protocol extensions and the implementation of middleware capable of providing a supportive intelligent environment for transparent discovery, configuration and provision of user-centric and mobility aware services on an integrated network platform. This includes one-step access and buying (the user says what he wants and he gets it), personalized configuration of products and services and transparent configuration of composite service packages.

 Development of a mobile client based on standard hardware, network protocols and Internet web-technology (WWW) in order to ensure maximum compatibility to industry standards, thus avoiding waste of resources. Main features will be rich content provision, integration of positioning functionality (GPS) and user profiling.