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.
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.