UGent IBCN

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The INTEC Broadband Communication Networks research group (IBCN –
www.ibcn.intec.ugent.be) is a leading telecommunications and software
research group based in Ghent, Belgium, belonging to the Department of
Information Technology (INTEC) of the Ghent University

The INTEC Broadband Communication Networks research group (IBCN – www.ibcn.intec.ugent.be) is a leading telecommunications and software research group based in Ghent, Belgium, belonging to the Department of Information Technology (INTEC) of the Ghent University (UGent). IBCN is also a research group of IBBT, the Interdisciplinary institute for BroadBand Technology. IBBT is an internationally recognized multidisciplinary ICT research centre (looking at technological, legal, business and sociological aspects) and enables accelerated development and exploitation of new ICT products and services in strategic sectors in Flanders.

IBCN was established in 1992 and currently counts around 100 members, including 10 professors and 9 post-docs. The group has participated in numerous European Research Projects in the ACTS- and IST-framework and is currently involved in several IST FP6 and FP7 projects. IBCN is frequently partnering with local ICT industry on a wide range of research and development topics. The IBCN group also takes part in national and Flemish research programs. The research has resulted in 35 PhDs and more than 550 publications in international journals and conference proceedings.

The IBCN group is largely responsible for the education in networking and software engineering in the Faculty of Engineering of the Ghent University.

The IBCN research group is heavily involved in iLab.t (Technology Center), the technical part of the experimental infrastructure of IBBT, and contains an extensive set of user devices, network technologies, and advanced testing and measurement equipment, as well as adequate connectivity. The floor space covers around 500m2, with approx. 80 racks, or 3300 units, which is about 2/3 of the maximum capacity. There are 550+ Linux nodes, and various technologies like IP, Ethernet and DSL are used. In addition to a wired testbed, the Technology Center also includes a significant wireless testbed and Wireless Sensor Lab, Virtual Wall emulation facilities, an operational GRID network … The iLab.t Technology Center can be accessed externally through remote login facilities and this under policy conditions.

IBCN contact: piet.demeester@intec.ugent.be – IBCN web: www.ibcn.intec.ugent.be

IBCN research and competences

IBCN’s current research scope extends from networks to applications. The wide range of research topics can be sorted in following domains:

  • Complex network architectures and protocols. This includes Fixed Multilayer Networks (access/metro/core), Home Networks, Grid Computing, Virtual Private Ad-Hoc Networks (VPANs) and Personal Networks, Multimedia Transport and Storage. Considered technologies cover IP/(G)MPLS/Ethernet/Optical, Optical packet, burst and circuit switching, Carrier grade Ethernet, …
  • Emerging mobile and wireless networks. This includes Wireless Mesh Networks, Wireless Sensor and Actuator Networks, and Wireless Access for Fast Moving Users. The research covers a wide range of technologies such as WiFi (IEEE 802.11), Bluetooth (IEEE 802.15.1), ZigBee (IEEE 802.15.4), WiMAX (IEEE 802.16), RFID, GSM, GPRS, UMTS, and Satellite.
  • Innovative service delivery architectures & software applications. IBCN’s research is structured around the following areas: Network & Service Management, Context-awareness, Ehealth, iDTV, and Thin Clients, and Machine learning, Autonomous Software Agents, Reflective Exploration, Experimental Design. Technologies include J2EE, JAIN/SLEE, SIP Servlets, … for service management, OSGi for software lifecycle management of remote devices, etc.

In the broad range of research domains mentioned above, the IBCN group combines theoretical top-down research and development with validation, experimentation and proof-of-concept. As such, the group has developed the following set of competences across its research domains:

  • Design and development of innovative protocols and algorithms and network architectures. An example is the MEHROM (Micromobility support with Efficient Handoff & Route Optimization Mechanisms) protocol for fast handoff with low packet loss and path optimisation.
  • Network-level simulation and validation. The defined and developed protocols, algorithms and network architectures are rigorously simulated and validated using a range of techniques: operations research techniques, such as linear programming and heuristics; simulation (NS based, OPNET based, proprietary in-house developed as e.g. the in-house developed Advanced network-aware Grid Simulator to emulate the behaviour of Grid management components); techno-economic analysis; and performance analysis.
  • IBCN’s competence of validation, experimentation and proof-of-concept is guaranteed through an extensive set of prototyping, emulation, and testbed evaluation & exploitation technologies and practices, like: Click prototyping; combined simulation and emulation techniques (NS - Click); several testbeds; operational exploitation of the BEgrid node.

Competences: Policy & Market | Networks of the future | Advanced software technologies | Multimedia & Interfaces
Projects: ARMADA | COPLINTHO | E-PAPER | FIPA | GEOBIPS | MCDP | T-CASE | ASCIT | CICK | CROSLOCIS | DASHGOV | ICONNECT | MONIT | MULTIGOV | WBA | ADME | IM3 | MADUF | MULTITRANS | SPAMM | TRAINS | ADAMO | HERITAGE 2.0 | GEISHA | TRANSECARE | VIDEO Q-SAC | PECMAN | DEUS | TELECLASSING | IFIP | COCONUT | QOE | VIN | ECOC 2008 | De onderzoeker - Data News | NextGenITS | WTEplus | Erfgoed 2.0 demodag: ontdek de erfgoedsite Herkenrode op je pda (in Dutch) | IBBT-IBCN tutorial on techno-economic research during Globecom 2009 | IEEE ANTS 2009 Best Paper Award for IBBT researchers | SODA project wins prize for contributing to the web of objects
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