Telecoms, networks, multimedia

Software

Exploration

OLSR protocols, NS-3 platform, IBICOOP middleware... these are just a few examples of Inria start-ups, technologies and skills that are most certainly ones to watch in the telecom, networks and multimedia sector.

Telecoms

OLSR protocol

In a context of saturation of traditional operator networks, self-organised networks offer an interesting solution. The HIPERCOM team has defined an ad hoc protocol that has become a market standard. "The principle involves creating a network with communicating nodes gradually, without using the centralised architectures of operators. This protocol has been used for two years by Luceor, a partner SME that develops emergency networks for firefighters, law enforcement and local authorities".

  • Contact: Amine Hassim - Tel.: +33 (0)1 39 63 55 08

Architecture for on-demand very high speed

It is the old dream of having an "on demand" bandwidth service, without having to pay a subscription to a heavy dedicated infrastructure. This solution also contributes to limiting the saturation of very high-speed networks. "Optimisation techniques on very large networks were the subject of research by Inria as part of the System@tic Paris-Région competitiveness cluster in Saclay. Work resulting in the creation of software and the filing of around twenty patents, which have been licensed exclusively to the start-up Lyatiss".

  • Contacts:Philippe Broun - Tel.: +33 (0)4 76 61 53 86
  • Nicolas Jourdan - Tel.: +33 (0)4 76 61 53 29

NS-3 platform for simulation of very large IP networks

Among Inria's technological assets, these platforms study the behaviour of very large networks, their reaction to traffic overload, and problems of interconnection. They make it possible, among other things, to perform impact studies in connection with the launch of a new service by an operator. "These platforms have been developed by several of our teams, particularly Planete in Sophia Antipolis, which offers its services to French and European SMEs. The platform currently can be used on traditional Wifi protocols or more recent telecom protocols, such as Wimax or LTE.".

  • Contact: Patrice Prez - Tel.: +33 (0)4 92 38 77 12

Inria technologies for sensor networks

With standardisation of various protocols for sensors representing a key issue, Inria is a member of IPSO Alliance (IP Smart Objects), an international association that promotes the IPv6 protocol for sensor networks. It is collaborative work making it possible to meet innovative SMEs in the field of sensor networks or smart grids, SMEs with which we have occasional technology transfer operations thanks to the involvement of several teams (particularly SWING in Lyon).

Software infrastructures for telecoms

IBICOOP middleware

How to distribute an application on different terminals? "IBICOOP middleware is based on open-source software technologies and permits, for example, the distribution of an automobile guidance application on mobile phones like Google, Blackberry or iPhone, using different operating systems." This technology was transferred to AMBIENTIC, a new Inria start-up.

  • Contact: Amine Hassim - Tel.: +33 (0)1 39 63 55 08

Multimedia content

Visual search engines

Developed by the LEAR team in Grenoble, this technology on which Inria has worked for the past decade has been licensed exclusively to the start-up MILPIX. It allows images to be indexed and searched in databases ranging up to several million images. Other similar systems have been developed by the IMEDIA team in Rocquencourt and TEXMEX in Rennes. "This is a promising field to which Inria devotes considerable resources. Much work is being performed by large global players on this subject: Google recently invested in this niche by purchasing an innovative American company specialising in the matter."

  • Contacts:Philippe Broun - Tel.: +33 (0)4 76 61 53 86
  • Nicolas Jourdan - Tel.: +33 (0)4 76 61 53 29

Sound spatialisation

The enrichment of virtual environments with sound has applications for cinema, video games, and digital TV. By hearing the sound as if it came from different places on the screen, players or spectators get the feeling of truly being at the heart of the action. "Three teams are working on the subject, also known as '3D sound': METISS in Rennes, WAM in Grenoble and REVES in Sophia Antipolis. As a result of the work of REVES, a technology has been licensed to Eden Games, a video game development studio (known for Alone in the Dark)". This technology is covered by patent 72.

  • Contact: Patrice Prez - Tel.: +33 (0)4 92 38 77 12

Creation and lighting of virtual scenes and digital landscapes

This work is based on the calculation of complex surfaces and is very useful for creating virtual lighting for video games or digital films. It involves, for example, modifying the light on a tree's leaves to accompany the movement of a virtual player or creating a movement effect. "Starting from there, by simulating the light shining on a tree or plant, it becomes possible to simulate their growth on the screen virtually. This opens the path to applications in the field of the environment." Three teams are at work: EVASION and PERCEPTION in Grenoble and REVES in Sophia-Antipolis.

  • Contacts:Philippe Broun - Tel.: +33 (0)4 76 61 53 86
  • Nicolas Jourdan - Tel.: +33 (0)4 76 61 53 29

Collaborative recommendation engines 

"The idea is, instead of letting users search for information alone on the Web with search engines, to present information to them adapted to their profile through people on their network or having similar tastes or characteristics, which increases confidence in or the value accorded to the information presented." These "2.0" technologies are in high demand by merchant sites. Sophia's AXIS team is a specialist on these subjects; it has created a partnership with Wozaik, a Parisian start-up whose products are expected to be marketed by the end of 2010 (Screen customisation system through automatically updated Web windows).

  • Contact: Patrice Prez - Tel.: +33 (0)4 92 38 77 12

Technologies of the semantic Web

The languages and technologies of the semantic Web are tools for representation of knowledge adapted to the Web environment, making it possible to automatically convert data into information and information into knowledge. "Inria has been involved since the start of the Web in these highly advanced technologies, as a major contributor to W3C, which aims to harmonise the languages and standards of the Web." Particular examples include the WAM and EXMO teams in Grenoble and EDELWEISS in Sophia. The EXMO team works with the SME MONDECA, which markets tools for managing complex knowledge structures (terminologies, ontologies, etc.).

  • Contacts:Philippe Broun - Tel.: +33 (0)4 76 61 53 86
  • Nicolas Jourdan - Tel.: +33 (0)4 76 61 53 29

Keywords: Protocole OLSR Luceor Multimédia Télécoms Networks Plateforme NS-3 Intergiciel IBICOOP

Top

Inria Headquarters and research centres

Direct links

Social