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TNO-rapport

0100307980

Meerjarenprogramma 2018-2021

Topsector HTSM / ICT

Activiteitenplan 2018

Datum 1 oktober 2017

Auteur(s) Dr. ir. Anne Fleur van Veenstra, Drs. Henk-Jan Vink

Autorisatie A.J.A. Stokking

Managing Director Industry

Regievoerend Departement Ministerie EZ

Financierend Departement Ministerie EZ

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Contents

1 VP ICT ....................................................................................................................... 3 1.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................ 3 1.2 Summary ................................................................................................................... 3 1.3 Description ................................................................................................................. 4 1.4 External Connections................................................................................................. 8 1.5 Developments ............................................................................................................ 9 1.6 Activity Plan 2018 .................................................................................................... 10

2 Voorstel bij aanvullend budget – VP ESI & VP ICT ............................................ 12

3 Signature ................................................................................................................ 15

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1 VP ICT

Contactpersoon TNO: Henk-Jan Vink, Anne Fleur van Veenstra

Contactpersoon Overheid: René Penning de Vries

1.1 Introduction

TNO has a strong tradition in ICT research, mainly in the field of (mobile) networks.

The past years, TNO’s ICT research has established a leading position in the field

of Big Data, becoming a board member of the EU cPPP Big Data Value Association

(BVDA), and in the field of Cybersecurity. Today, new technologies are developed

to be applied to many different domains, such as Blockchain and Quantum

technologies. Since ICT is a major driver of innovation in almost every sector in

society, the ambition of the Information & Communication Technology Unit is to

guide national stakeholders in their digital transformation that takes place. The VP

ICT knowledge program covers this wide range of innovations in ICT. Specifically, it

focuses on eight core topics: Networks, Quantum, Blockchain, Cybersecurity,

Adaptive IoT, Advanced Analytics, Media Content Delivery, and Digital Policy.

The Meerjarenplan 2018-2021 presents the topics that the VP ICT knowledge

program aims to develop over the next years. An executive summary is provided to

allow for a quick scanning of the most important objectives of the program.

Subsequently, the eight topics that are covered by the VP ICT are elaborated,

followed by a description of how they aligns with external developments, such as

the formulation of Societal Challenges and the identification of Key Technologies

within the National Science Agenda Routes. Not unsurprisingly, ICT is important for

all of them. A description is provided of the changes that have taken place in the VP

ICT Meerjarenplan 2018-2021 compared to the previous Meerjarenplan. Since

developments in ICT take place at high speed, some major changes have been

made in the program since the development of the previous Meerjarenplan. Finally,

detailed plans are provided for the objectives of the VP ICT for 2018.

1.2 Summary

TNO’s Information & Communication Technology

Unit aims to guide industrial and societal

stakeholders in the digitization of their business

or domain. In order to do so, the VP ICT

knowledge program focuses on eight core topics

(see Figure).

Until 2021, the main goals for these eight topics

are:

• Networks: internationally leading the

development of the 5G standard, by setting up (pre)5G Fieldlabs for proof of

concepts, investigating the development of radar technology for 5G antennae,

and by developing Network Softwarization facilities. For 2018, the main

objective is to set up the 5Groningen 5G Fieldlab for precision farming.

• Quantum technology: frontrunner in developing post-quantum cryptographic

solutions. For 2018, a main objective is to set up collaboration with CWI.

TNO-rapport | 0100307980 4 / 15

• Blockchain: nationally leading blockchain developments by setting up a

Blockchain Lab, a Rapid Prototyping Facility, in 2018, with a special focus on

federated distributed ledgers. We also aim to get a better understanding of the

implications of distributed ledger technology.

• Cybersecurity: developing innovative cybersecurity concepts for the financial

sector, such as risk based operations, Critical Infrastructure Protection,

automated security technology and smart Dark Web attribution solutions. The

SRP Cybersecurity will continue in 2018.

• Adaptive IoT: shaping IoT ecosystems in specific domains, such as Smart

Industry by developing technologies for adaptive data processing in complex

decentralized systems and for automated software development. In 2018, focus

is on technology development for adaptive data ecosystems.

• Advanced Analytics: shaping data ecosystems in specific domains by

developing privacy respecting analytics and explainable, transparent and

human aware AI. Applying these privacy respecting tooling in the Healthcare

domain is an objective for 2018.

• Media Content Delivery: expanding TNO’s leading international position in

orchestration technologies for multi-source media streams over hybrid networks

towards multiple devices and locations to create a fully immersive and social VR

experience. In 2018, these technologies will be applied to the domain of smart

cities.

• Digital Policy: setting up a national digital Policy Lab with key academic and

governmental partners, aiming at policy experimentation using new

technologies and data sources. The objective for 2018 is to create the Policy

Lab methodology.

In relation to the above mentioned goals, the VP ICT actively engages in

stakeholder management on the national (via COMMIT2DATA, the National

Science Agenda Big Data Route, and the B3C Dutch Blockchain Coalition) and the

European level (via the Big Data Value Association (BVDA), 5G (5GPPP), IoT

(AIOTI) and Cybersecurity contractual Public Private Partnerships, cPPPs) with

academic partners and partners from industry. Until 2021, our objective is to

consolidate this role. Furthermore, we aim to maintain our leading position in ICT

standardization and within industry fora, such as within ETSI, 3GPP, ISO, IETF,

HbbTV, and Broadband forum.

1.3 Description

A digital transformation is taking place in every sector of society as a result of data

driven innovations, artificial intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things (IoT). Data

and algorithms become increasingly pervasive and data driven innovations are

important determinants of economic success and societal impact. At the same time,

the distinction between the physical and the virtual world is blurring, giving rise to

cyber-physical systems. For all of these developments, secure, adaptive and robust

transmission of data is paramount. Challenges include the development of adaptive

architectures and systems, creating data interoperability and security, developing

explainable, transparent and human aware algorithms, and realizing complex

systems that are able to make sense of large amounts of data, especially from the

ever increasing share of (live) video content.

These challenges take place in all sectors of society. And at the same time,

businesses as well as societal stakeholders are faced with having to reinvent their

TNO-rapport | 0100307980 5 / 15

business models based on data and the emergence of dominant platforms. Law

and policies that are able to sustain economic benefits and mitigate negative

effects, such as privacy infringement, are necessary. Sectors that have the specific

attention of the VP ICT are Telecom Providers, Government, Media, Financials and

Smart Industry with a focus on Agriculture. Information and communication

technology (ICT) is thus an area of innovation in itself as well as a key enabler for

innovation. To guide these developments, the VP ICT focuses on eight core topics:

Networks, Quantum, Blockchain, Cybersecurity, Adaptive IoT, Advanced Analytics,

Media Content Delivery, and Digital Policy.

Networks

For sustaining connectivity,

high quality, secure and

reliable networks are

essential. Until 2021, the

main objective in the area of

Networks is to be a

frontrunner in 5G (see

inset), via 5G Fieldlabs. 5G

offers opportunities for

different sectors, such as

self-driving vehicles,

precision farming, more

mobile and immersive

media consumption, and

Smart Industry. By setting

up 5G Fieldlabs for these

areas, TNO aims to

advance the technology and

support these sectors in

their transformation at the

same time. A related

objective is to become

leading in the development of mmW antennae (beamforming) for 5G, aimed at

telecom vendors, in collaboration with TNO’s Radar research group, as well as in

front end design (antennae and chipset).

TNO’s Information & Communication Technology Unit has a long history in

operating and managing secure and reliable mobile and fixed access to networks,

to ensure the manageability of the increased complexity of these networks that

need to work across operators (domains) and vendors (platforms). The next step is

the softwarization and virtualization (SDN/NFV) of these networks that is necessary

for realizing greater network capacity. Network Function Virtualization (NFV) is

virtualization of networks by using common IT infrastructure, architectures and

(virtualization) functionalities for telecom networks. In Software Defined Networking

(SDN) network functionalities become programmable and open for other (third)

party applications, which provides both innovation opportunities and security

threats. A related topic is Information Centric Networking (ICN) (as opposed to the

current host centric paradigm) which should lead to more efficient, scalable and

robust connections. In both areas, TNO aims to develop cutting-edge knowledge.

Quantum technology

A major breakthrough in computing capacity will take place as a result of the

development of quantum computing. For example, current information security and

cryptography will become obsolete when computing power increases. TNO is

founding partner of the QuTech research center for quantum computing and

5G mobile communication standard

5G is the next generation standard for mobile

communication. It will reconcile contrasting design

parameters such as high bandwidth, ultralow latency and

massive-machine type communication (see Figure).

TNO-rapport | 0100307980 6 / 15

quantum internet. One of the main aims of QuTech is to build a quantum computer.

For this quantum computer to operate properly, other aspects, such as network and

security algorithms need to be developed as well. Until 2021, the quantum

technology topic within the VP ICT focuses mainly on one of these aspects: (post)

quantum cryptography. This is concerned with the investigation of the effect of

quantum computing on existing cryptography and the development of processing

intensive mathematical methodologies that are also reliable in the quantum era.

While the main focus is on (post) quantum cryptography, other topics that are

essential for quantum computing, such as quantum information processing, and

quantum communication and networks, will also be investigated to see where TNO

may be able develop a knowledge position.

Blockchain

Blockchain

refers to

distributed

ledger

technology (see

inset). As a

relatively new

technology,

many aspects

still require

further

research. The

VP ICT focuses

on six aspects

of blockchain:

business

models and

governance,

identity and

access

management,

smart contracts

interactions and

security,

performance and scalability, interoperability and standards, and policy, ethics and

regulation. TNO aims to become nationally leading in this area by setting up a

Blockchain Lab, a Rapid Prototyping Facility for developing proofs of concept that

also take into account the implications of the use of distributed ledger technology.

The VP ICT has a special focus on federated distributed ledgers. This means that

rather than current isolated blockchain developments, aspects such as

standardization, interoperability, and security will be developed. Nationally, TNO is

involved in setting up the Blockchain Competence Centre (BC3). This research

agenda combines the development of technical competencies such as in the field of

security, and developing strategic capabilities related to the wider societal impact of

distributed ledger technologies, for instance on government and on social

innovation.

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is an ongoing concern for protecting our vital infrastructures.

Technology development in this area is shared with the Roadmap Cybersecurity

and Resilience within the Defence and Safety Unit of TNO. The technologies

developed in this area can be well applied in commercial settings (and vice versa).

The commercial application of cybersecurity technologies is the focus of this topic of

Blockchain - distributed ledger technology

Blockchain, or distributed ledger technology, was developed as the

underlying technology of the Bitcoin cryptocurrency. It is a distributed

consensus mechanism, meaning that it is a way to technologically,

uniquely track transactions in a network. Its potential applications are

manifold, including online trading, digitization of (governmental)

registries, data sharing between in (industrial) partnerships, and

tracking items across supply chains.

TNO-rapport | 0100307980 7 / 15

the VP ICT. Within the program innovative cybersecurity concepts for the financial

sector, such as risk based operations, Critical Infrastructure Protection, automated

security technology and smart Dark Web attribution solutions, are developed. A

main instrument for achieving these objectives is via the Shared Research Program

(SPR) Cybersecurity.

Adaptive IoT

Adaptive IoT refers to the development of data and IoT ecosystems that allow for

data-driven innovations. In order to facilitate valuable or serendipitous combinations

of data sources or allow for very fast data processing in large complex

decentralized systems, several aspects need to be covered. Firstly, technological

innovations are necessary that allow, for example, ‘data locality’, which means

sharing and transmitting the analytical models rather than (large) datasets, or ‘on-

the-fly-changes’ to datasets while the process of data analysis within such a

decentralized system is hardly, if at all, interrupted. Secondly, data interoperability

needs to be achieved, also by realizing ontologies and reference architectures that

allow for technical compatibility and interpretation of the data. And thirdly, new

business models are necessary that allow for these innovations to not only

technically but also business-wise succeed. The main way of developing adaptive

IoT is to set up Fieldlabs that develop data innovations for specific application

areas, such Smart Industry Fieldlabs, in which all these aspects converge.

Advanced Analytics

The Advanced Analytics line of work encompasses

technologies and methodologies from areas such as

Big data, Machine Learning, and AI. It mainly

focuses on enabling data-driven innovations by

developing privacy preserving architectures and

tooling and explainable, transparent and human-

aware AI. Within this topic of the VP ICT focus is on

developing information security and privacy

respecting tooling, policies and technologies where

the end user is in control of his own attributes, and

shaping data ecosystems in which these tools are

central. Applications not only include environments

in which privacy is great importance such as in

Healthcare, but also in competitive environments

where companies do not want others to get access

to their commercially sensitive data, such as in Logistics or Smart Industry. A

technology that is central to these developments is homomorphic encryption (see

inset) that allows sharing outcomes of data processing, without having to share the

data itself. A second line of work within this topic is social sensing, which aims to

measure brain activity in in different settings, in order to attempt to gain insight into

emotion measurements for practical applications.

Media Content Delivery

The ever increasing consumption of video content, which takes up a large part (up

to 80%) of the existing bandwidth for telecommunications, gives rise to the Media

Content Delivery topic. Especially the expected growth of Virtual Reality (VR)

devices and applications is expected to increase this percentage further. Central

objective of this topic to orchestrate multi-source media streams over hybrid

networks towards multiple devices and locations images in such a way as to allow

for a fully immersive audiovisual media experience in professional or in

entertainment environments. TNO has an outstanding international position in this

field with a leading role in international standardization and a substantial IP portfolio

(with our partner KPN).

Homomorphic encryption

Homomorphic encryption

allows for data processing

(computing) without having to

decrypt and encrypt data

before and after processing.

TNO-rapport | 0100307980 8 / 15

Digital Policy

The digital policy topic encompasses

TNO’s work on digital policy, often

concerning foresighting activities on the

implications of digital technologies on the

economy and on society. Focus areas

include big data, privacy, blockchain,

algorithms and AI, platform economy, and

public sector services and innovation. This

topic also encompasses developing

innovation and valorization strategies and

business models, for example for Smart

Industry. A related and specific objective

within this topic is developing data driven

policy making within the Policy Lab (see

inset). The objective is to remain a

frontrunner in public sector innovation in

the Netherlands, supporting national and

local governments in improving their policy

making by incorporating new technologies

and data sources.

Stakeholder management and

standardization

An important objective of the VP ICT is to

support all the above mentioned developments via actively engaging in stakeholder

management and standardization. Firstly, this takes place on engaging in national

and international R&D&I programs, such as Horizon 2020, several COST Actions

(networking activities sponsored by the European Commission), COMMIT2DATA,

the National Science Agenda Big Data Route. Secondly, several part-time

professors are associated with the program, connecting to relevant Dutch

universities (Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Universiteit Twente, Universiteit van

Amsterdam, Technische Universiteit Delft, Universiteit Leiden, CWI). Thirdly, TNO

is represented on board-level in advisory for a and contractual Public Private

Partnerships (cPPPs), including the Big Data Value Association BVDA, the 5GPPP,

ECP, and the PI.lab, and actively participates in the AIOTI and Cybersecurity

cPPPs. Fourthly, TNO has a long track record in contributing to the development of

standards, actively connecting with standardization groups and industry fora such

as ETSI, 3GPP, ISO, IETF, HbbTV, NEM, and Broadband forum.

1.4 External Connections

The VP ICT encompasses a major part of TNO’s knowledge development related to

the Key technology ICT. The main value created by ICT is in its application to in a

domain. This is explicitly mentioned by all eight Societal Challenges in their

strategic two-pagers; linking to other Key technologies and the Societal Challenges

is, therefore, of importance. TNO is member of the ICT Key technology team and

actively connects with, for example, the Societal Challenges Health, Safe and

Secure Society, Energy and Mobility. Within the National Science Agenda, ICT is a

key technology in many of the Routes, for example in Energy transition, Health,

Logistics and Transportation, Sensing and detection and Smart Industry. ICT is

especially at the core of the route Responsible Data, in which TNO is involved and

a ‘Startimpuls’ project was granted.

Policy Lab approach

Developing better policies by

incorporating new technologies and data

sources in different phases of the policy

cycle: for predicting developments,

developing experiments, and policy

implementation and monitoring.

TNO-rapport | 0100307980 9 / 15

1.5 Developments

Developments in the field of ICT are characterized by a high velocity. Rather than

long-term development plans, proof of concepts are developed quickly and tested in

real life in order to advance their developments. Also, new ICT-based technologies

emerge quickly. Therefore, although some constant factors remain, the VP ICT plan

for 2018-2021 differs from the previous VP ICT plan (2015-2018). The main

constants are TNO’s excellent knowledge position in the field of Networks,

Cybersecurity, Big Data, Media Content Delivery, and Digital Policy. For each of

these topics, the main difference between the VP ICT plan 2015-2018 and the plan

for 2018-2021 is that within these topics we focus on the next generation of

technologies. Another main constant is our focus on complex multi-stakeholder

collaborations, such as in (but not limited to) the field of Adaptive IoT and Adaptive

Analytics.

Within the field of Networks most attention is now given to 5G developments as the

new generation of mobile communications. Furthermore network softwarization is

an ongoing process that is more prominent than in the previous VP ICT plan. In the

field of Cybersecurity, innovative solutions such as risk based operations, Critical

Infrastructure Protection, automated security technology and smart Dark Web

attribution are developed. Within the field of Advanced Analytics a main difference

is that focus is not only on Big Data but also on newer generations of data driven

innovations, such as explainable, transparent and human aware Artificial

Intelligence. The main focus of the solutions developed in this field is General Data

Protection Regulation (GDPR) inspired: privacy and transparency. For Media

Content Delivery, VR and immersive audiovisual media have become prominent

topics. Digital Policy is focusing not only on the next generation of public sector

innovation, where a shift is taking place from open data provisioning to the process

of policy making itself by the Policy Lab, but also focuses more widely on the

societal implications of new technologies such as Blockchain.

The most imminent change is that for the VP ICT plan 2015-2018 still a division was

made between the infrastructure related topics such as Networks and Media

Content Delivery and the topics that were mainly related to information and

information processing, such as Big Data, Privacy, and Digital Policy. This

distinction will become less clear in the future, which is reflected in the VP ICT plan

2018-2021. Influenced by of developments such as SDN/NFV, networks will

become increasingly softwarized and the impact of algorithms on society can hardly

be overestimated. Another distinction that is blurred is that with the adoption of the

GDPR Privacy has become such an integral part of Advanced Analytics that it is no

longer a distinct topic, but rather an aspect that always needs to be taken into

account. The e-Identity aspect of the Privacy and e-ID topic was already less

prominent since the adoption of new e-ID systems is stalled.

The second major difference between the two plans are the new topics that have

emerged: Quantum Technology and Blockchain. Regarding Quantum Technology,

the QuTech research center was founded in 2015, which makes this an emergent

topic for the VP ICT. And while Bitcoin has been around for a few years, 2016 can

be seen as the year in which Blockchain gained substantial attention. Therefore,

these technologies became part of the VP plan 2018-2021.

TNO-rapport | 0100307980 10 / 15

1.6 Activity Plan 2018

For each of the eight topics, within the context of the VP ICT, specific results are

defined for 2018.

Networks

TNO will mainly develop its 5G activities in in the 5Groningen Fieldlab that was

established in 2017. This Fieldlab is focused on developing proof of concepts and

pilots in different sectors with innovations on mobile access, with specific focus on

precision farming. Research within the 5Groningen Fieldlab in 2018 focuses on two

main technological developments: SDN/Slicing and Virtualization/Mobile Edge

Computing (MEC). Other 5G Fieldlabs that we are involved in are the 5G Fieldlab

Automated Driving, in which automatic driving with 5G technology will be piloted,

and the 5G Fieldlab for live events in the Amsterdam Arena. Furthermore, in the

area of 5G two H2020 projects have started in 2017: Sat5G and Clear5G,

concerned with integrating Satellite into 5G and creating a 5G wireless network for

Smart Industry respectively. In the field of Network Softwarization, several research

infrastructures will be developed, in order to gain hands-on experience with these

technologies.

Quantum Technology

In the field of quantum technology, research on (post) quantum cryptography will

continue, as well as research following the world-wide developments in quantum

information processing and quantum communication and networks, identifying

opportunities for TNO to create a knowledge position in the field of quantum

technology. The VP ICT intends to build a closer relation with CWI in this field.

Blockchain

The main activity in the field of Blockchain in 2018 is the setup of a Blockchain Lab,

a Rapid Prototyping Facility that also takes into account the implications of the use

of distributed ledger technology. This facility can be used to develop proof of

concepts of blockchain activities across TNO. Within the context of the Blockchain

Competence Centre (BC3), TNO will continue to shape a national Blockchain

research agenda. Furthermore, based on this research agenda the VP ICT will also

continue to shape national ecosystems, such as the Techruption in Heerlen, as well

as other Fieldlabs that allow for experimentation and development of blockchain

applications, for example in the field of Smart Industry.

Cybersecurity

The Shared Research Program Cybersecurity will continue in 2018, focusing on

developing innovative cybersecurity solutions for the financial sector.

Adaptive IoT

TNO has gained a good position in setting up complex multi-stakeholder data and

IoT ecosystems. In 2018 the VP ICT will develop at least two technologies that can

be of great importance for the efficiency and effectiveness of such systems: ‘data

locality’ and ‘on-the-fly-changes’. Data locality refers to a technology that shares the

analytical models rather than (large) datasets. ‘On-the-fly-changes’ is concerned

with implementing changes to datasets while the process of data analysis within

such a decentralized system is hardly, if at all, interrupted. Having a stronger focus

on technology development in addition to shaping these data and IoT ecosystems,

should allow us to gain a stronger position in this field. Ongoing activities are the

development of a Smart Industry data sharing infrastructure in the Productive Ecsel

project. A related activity that will start in 2018 is the development of an automated

software testing facility within the TESTOMAT ITEA project.

TNO-rapport | 0100307980 11 / 15

Advanced Analytics

The privacy respecting architecture and tooling that have been developed over the

last few years, based on homomorphic encryption (such as the TrustTester data

validation technology and the PRANAdata privacy respecting architecture) have

gained considerable attention and will continue to be developed in several projects.

Two prominent examples are the National Science Agenda Big Data Route Start

Impulse project, aimed to develop guidelines for responsible data sharing, and the

H2020 Lighthouse project Big Medilytics, aimed at realizing cost savings in

Healthcare using Big Data. Within the work on social sensing and measurement of

emotions, the Quantified Consumer project will continue, measuring consumers’

emotions to specific triggers. Furthermore, in this line of work emotion

measurement of school classes with children with aggressive behavior will be

carried out, within the National Science Agenda Youth Route.

Media Content Delivery

Within the Media Content Delivery topic, the most important trend that is addressed

is VR. A first project aimed at expanding TNO’s leading international position in this

field is the MOS2S ITEA project, which will develop and test media orchestration

technologies and solutions in a smart city environment. A second is the VRTogether

H2020 project which will continue to develop TNO’s media orchestration

technologies for VR. A related activity that will commence in 2018 is an

investigation of the requirements for Tactile Internet. In addition to sound and

images, it will become possible to transfer touch and feeling across the internet, for

example when operating an exoskeleton.

Digital Policy

Knowledge development within the Digital Policy topic in 2018 focuses in three

areas. A first group works on the societal, economic and policy implications of

digital technologies and innovations, such as in the coordination action on Big Data

in Europe BVDe H2020 project, and in the TOOP H2020 Large Scale Pilot aiming to

creating seamless service delivery via the ‘Once Only Principle’ between EU

governments. A second group is concerned with innovation and business models,

mainly in the area of Smart Industry. The I4MS project is concerned with the

development of methodologies for digital innovation policy, such as the Digital

Innovation Hubs envisaged by the European Commission. The third development is

setting up the Policy Lab joint innovation environment for incorporating new digital

technologies and data sources into policy making. An important objective for 2018

is to develop a methodology for the Policy Lab.

Stakeholder management and standardization

The main objective for 2018 is to consolidate TNO’s role in international research

communities, cPPPs, standardization and business fora. The COST Actions

IRACON, on radio communication for 5G, RECODIS, on Cybersecurity, will

continue in 2018.

TNO-rapport | 0100307980 12 / 15

2 Voorstel bij aanvullend budget – VP ESI & VP ICT

Tijdens het opstellen van dit meerjarenplan 2018-2021 was er nog geen duidelijkheid over eventueel nieuw onderzoek- en innovatiebeleid van het nieuwe kabinet. Als er binnen dit beleid ruimte is voor additionele financiering voor toegepast onderzoek, ziet TNO kansen om de kennisontwikkeling zoals beschreven in dit rapport te versnellen en te intensiveren.

Voor het geval dat er inderdaad extra budget beschikbaar zou komen hebben het

VP ESI en het VP ICT – de twee VP’s die vallen onder de huidige Roadmap

Networked Information en de nieuwe Unit Information & Communciation technology

– gezamenlijk een viertal onderwerpen opgesteld op basis van het Meerjarenplan

die geïntensiveerd zouden kunnen worden vanaf 2018.

Het eerste voorstel (en prioriteit voor NI/DI) is om het tekort aan SMO binnen het

VP ESI, dat is ontstaan als gevolg van afspraken ten tijde van de overname van

ESI, af te dekken. Dit past ook in de TNO strategie om meer in te zetten op Joint

Innovation Centers (JICs).

De andere drie voorstellen komen vanuit het VP ICT en betreffen investeringen in

(virtuele) onderzoeksfaciliteiten, waarvoor een substantiële uren inspanning

noodzakelijk is. In deze faciliteiten wordt hands-on kennis opgebouwd met 5G,

SDN/NFV en Blockchain waar in meerdere projecten (kennisprojecten én

commerciële projecten) gebruik gemaakt van kan worden. Deze voorstellen zijn in

lijn met de prioriteiten/intensiveringen die vanuit het Topteam ICT worden

aangegeven in het innovatiecontract 2018/2019. Deze prioriteiten zijn:

• versterken van de Basis (huidige financiële middelen): Big Data en

Cybersecurity, alsmede voorbereidend werk op AI, Blockchain, 5G; en

• als er sprake is van groei van de middelen: bovenstaand, maar gelijk

doorpakken op AI, Blockchain en 5G. Daarnaast oppakken ‘QuSoft’ valorisatie

en System Software Engineering.

1. Financiering VP ESI (VP ESI)

Ten tijde van de overname van ESI is een aantal afspraken gemaakt over de

financiering van de voortzetting van Embedded Systems onderzoek, recent

aangevuld met afspraken tussen de ESI partnerraad, TKI HTSM en TNO. Gezien

het belang dat TNO hecht aan het opzetten van JICs, is het voorstel ook dat

eventuele additionele Rijksbijdrage wordt ingezet op ESI onderzoek. De activiteiten

van het VP ESI zijn beschreven in het VP Meerjarenplan 2018-2021 van de

Topsector HTSM.

2. 5G Lab (VP ICT)

5G is de volgende standaard in mobiele communicatie die niet alleen een ultra lage

latency moet hebben, maar waar ook verschillende ‘verticals’ (domeinen als media,

automotive, smart cities en hun sensornetwerken) gebruik van gaan maken, vaak

met hoge eisen aan het netwerk (denk aan zelfrijdende auto’s). TNO doet

onderzoek naar hoe een dergelijke standaard eruit moet komen te zien, specifiek

naar wat dit betekent voor de radiocommunicatie en voor de netwerkarchitectuur.

Hiertoe heeft TNO al het Hi5 platform gebouwd, een Open5GCore die, voor zover

bekend, de meest geavanceerde 5G proefomgeving is die beschikbaar is in de

markt. Dit platform heeft uitbreiding nodig om 5G mogelijk te maken, en in het

bijzonder voor het onderwerp slicing. Slicing maakt 5G netwerken flexibel zodat ze

in verschillende omstandigheden kunnen functioneren en ze voldoen aan de eisen

van de verschillende verticals (zie Figure 1). Slicing is gerelateerd aan Software

Defined Networking (SDN). Het doel is om slicing te ontwikkelen over het Hi5

TNO-rapport | 0100307980 13 / 15

platform en om te onderzoeken hoe slicing en SDN samenhangen en elkaar

beïnvloeden. De resultaten beïnvloeden het proces van standaardisatie binnen

3GPP. Belangrijkste toepassingsdomeinen zijn de telecomaanbieders en de

verschillende verticals.

Figure 1: Possible 5G network slices structure.

3. Software Defined Networking (SDN)/Network Function Virtualization (NFV)

Cloud Lab

Om de doelstellingen voor 5G te behalen, vindt ‘softwarisering’ van

telecommunicatienetwerken plaats. Hoewel er veel proofs of concept zijn

uitgevoerd, behalen de meeste nog niet het gewenste niveau van

programmeerbaarheid, flexibiliteit, veiligheid en kwaliteit dat wel mogelijk zou

moeten zijn met SDN en NFV technologieën. Automatisch netwerk management,

orkestratie, monitoring en een standaard architectuur zijn nodig om de volgende

generatie netwerken operationeel te krijgen en de verschillende doelstellingen van

5G te realiseren. Daarom is het SDN/NFV Cloud Lab een belangrijke toevoeging

aan de faciliteiten op het gebied van 5G, zoals het Hi5 platform. Ontwikkeling van

het SDN/NFV Cloud Lab richt zich primair op twee aspecten: 1) bepalen welke

specificaties de hardware moet krijgen en 2) welke management en orkestratie

frameworks zijn nodig of moeten worden ontwikkeld voor een telco platform waarop

TNO 5G innovatieprojecten kan uitvoeren. Doel is dan ook het ontwikkelen en

opzetten van een 5G SDN/NFV Cloud Lab, dat TNO in staat stelt om

innovatieprojecten uit te voeren en aspecten van netwerk softwarisering te

realiseren die noodzakelijk zijn voor 5G. Het SDN/NFFV Cloud Lab moet

interoperabel zijn met 5G en SDN/NFV Labs van andere organisaties zoals

Fraunhofer FOKUS, KPN en Telefonica. Het SDN/NFV Cloud Lab biedt dus

belangrijke kansen voor toepassing in de (inter)nationale telecom operator markt

zoals het ETIC multi-operator samenwerkingsverband en voor TNO om mee te

doen aan internationale (EU) onderzoeksprojecten als FIRE en H2020.

4. Blockchain Lab

Blockchain, of distributed ledger technologie, is ontwikkeld als de onderliggende

technologie van de Bitcoin cryptocurrency. Het kan gezien worden als

gedistribueerd consensus mechanisme, wat betekent dat het gebruikt kan worden

om via technologie transacties op eenduidige wijze vast te leggen. Er zijn veel

mogelijke toepassingsgebieden, zoals voor online transacties, digitalisering van

(overheids)registers, uitwisselen van commercieel gevoelige gegevens en het

tracken van producten in toeleveringsketens. Omdat het een relatief nieuwe

technologie betreft, is er nog veel onderzoek nodig, bijvoorbeeld naar identiteit- en

access management, interacties tussen smart contracts en veiligheid, performance

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en stabiliteit en interoperabiliteit en standaarden. Op dit moment doet TNO

projecten op het gebied van Blockchain voor al deze verschillende toepassingen en

binnen verschillende domeinen. Deze projecten moeten kunnen voortbouwen op

een stevige kennisbasis. Daarvoor wordt deze Blockchain Rapid Protyping facility

opgezet. Het opzetten van het Blockchain Lab moet bijdragen aan TNO’s leidende

positie binnen Nederland. Het omvat een up-to-date technische Blockchain

architectuur en een demo faciliteit waarin lopende projecten worden gevisualiseerd.

Het toepassingsgebied is zeer breed: TNO werkt op het gebied van Blockchain o.a.

samen met banken, verzekeringsmaatschappijen, ziekenhuizen en

overheidspartijen.

Indien het nieuwe kabinet in de komende jaren additionele financiële ruimte creëert voor het toegepast onderzoek, zal TNO het programma actualiseren en aangeven welke onderwerpen, met inachtneming van de aanwijzingen van de overheid, zullen worden versterkt.