Overview of the Communication Networks and Services

Research (CNSR) Project

A multi-institute proposal to

the Atlantic Innovation Fund

by Dalhousie University

Memorial University of NewfoundlandSaint Francis Xavier University

University College of Cape BretonUniversité de Moncton

University of New BrunswickIndustrial Partners

Contact:Dr. Brad Nickerson, University of New Brunswick, bgn@unb.ca

Dr. Z. David Chen, Dalhousie University, z.chen@dal.ca

CNSR Project Vision

Atlantic Canada is a globally competitive centre of excellence for research in communication networks and services.

CNSR Project Mission

To successfully carry out industrially significant research, development and education in the area of communication networks and services, thus contributing to the growth of globally competitive communication network and services companies in the Atlantic Canada region.

AIF Objectives1. increase activity in and to build capacity for innovation,

research and development (R&D) which leads to technologies, products, processes or services which contribute to economic growth in Atlantic Canada;

2. increase the capacity for commercialization of R&D outputs;

3. strengthen the region’s innovation capacity by supporting research, development, and commercialization partnerships and alliances among private sector firms, universities, research institutions and other organizations in the Atlantic system of innovation, and to increase their critical mass; and

4. maximize benefits from the national R&D programs.

AIF Essential Criteria

Each proposal must:a) be compatible with the AIF purpose and objectives;b) be scientifically and/or technically sound;c) demonstrate management capability to successfully

undertake the project;d) demonstrate significant economic benefits for Atlantic

Canada;e) address ultimate commercialization potential of project;f) support new or improved technologies or new

applications of technologies;g) have adequate financing for the duration of the project;h) be incremental; andi) support one or more strategic sectors or technologies.

AIF Desirable Criteria

Key considerations in the evaluation of proposals under AIF:a) includes private sector participation (for institutional

proposals);b) fills a gap in the Atlantic system of innovation;c) improves innovation capacity of the private sector;d) is pan-Atlantic in scope;e) builds critical mass through networks/cooperation of

existing and/or additional talent (researchers);f) leverages funding from other public and private sector

sources;g) attracts new firms, institutions and researchers to Atlantic

Canada;h) builds on research excellence; andi) fosters national and international affiliations.

Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Reference

Model for Communication Networks

L1

L5

L3

L4

L6

L7

L2

CNSR Project

Physical

optical networkingsmart antennascommunication transceivers

Systems

wireless personal communication systems

wireless telemetryInternet routingdata, transport, network

layers

Services

Internet computinginformation securitysoftware agents

Subproject A Subproject D Subproject G Subproject X

CNSR Project Activities

(1) research projects in communication networks,

(2) research projects in communication network services,

(3) education in communication networks and services, and

(4) dissemination of communication networks and services knowledge.

Pan-Atlantic CollaborationUniversity of New Brunswick (both Fredericton and Saint John campuses)

Faculty of Computer Science (including related centers and laboratories)Department of Electrical and Computer EngineeringBiomedical Engineering InstituteLawForestry and Environmental ManagementCivil Engineering

Dalhousie UniversityFaculty of Engineering (Electrical and computer, Civil, including related centers and laboratories) Computer Science Faculty of Medicine

Memorial University of NewfoundlandComputer ScienceElectrical and Computer Engineering

Université de MonctonDepartment d’informatique

Saint Francis Xavier UniversityComputer Science

University College of Cape Breton

Industrial Partners(including the potential partners)

Telecommunication Applications Research Alliance (NS)Seimac Ltd. (NS)ComDev Wireless (NB)MTT/Aliant (NS/NB/Newfoundland)InnovatiaMetOcean Ltd. (NS)Orion Electronics (NS)Waterfront Development Corporation (NS)Bank of Nova ScotiaVisionMD (NB)A Bound (NB)Stora Enso (NS)Sun MicrosystemsAtlantic AgriFood Associates (NB)HDI Inc. (NS)Valley Machine (NB)Bayer-Canada Inc.Impact Blue (NB)PRIVA-C (NB)CGI (NB)GEODAT Information Services (NB)CARIS (NB)

Management Structure under ConsiderationAdvisory Board

Representatives from Industry, Academia and Government

Optical networking subprojects

Internet routing

subprojects

Internet computing subprojects

Project Manager Administrative Office

Physical Layers Theme Leader (D.

Chen)

Systems Theme Leader (J. Dedourek)

Services Theme Leader (B. Nickerson)

Budgets and AccountingPublications and web siteEvents and ConferencesCommunicationsReportingPublic Relations

Smart antenna subprojects

Communication transceiver subprojects

Wireless personal

communication systems (PCS)

subprojects

Wireless telemetry

subprojectsInformation

security subprojects

Software agent subprojects

Data, transport, network layers

subprojects

Schedule

August 3, 2001: meeting of all major players in Moncton, including industrial partners, to discuss how the final proposal will be written.

August 30, 2001: deadline for the deadline for receipt of 1st draft of applications (12 copies) to the UNB Office of Research Services (ORS) for preliminary review and forwarding to UNB Review Committee members.

September 21 (Friday) - deadline for receipt of ALL "categories" of applications (4 copies) to ORS for final review, endorsement and submission to ACOA (Moncton) by September 28.