Project: Project BLEND: Blending Technologies for Ubiquitous Real-Time Data Access

Geo-Political, Sociological and Financial changes induced by Globalization, the surge of the Internet and online-communities, along with the ever-expanding role of the EU, are creating the need for a connected world where the right information is always available at the right time. In the future no system will be isolated, every system will be interconnected systems; A System-of-Systems ._x000D_As a consequence of this trend, a large number of applications in doCOs, such as, Air Traffic Management, Maritime Surveillance, Financial Services, e-Services, and Real-Time Internet Applications, are being confronted with new scenarios and operational requirements posing unprecedented challenges with respect to :_x000D_(1)the scale at which they need to operate, _x000D_(2) the ubiquity and multi-modality of data access they need to provide, and_x000D_(3) the performance they need to deliver._x000D__x000D_The shift required for moving from today’s systems to next-generation mission and business critical system-of-systems is very challenging; the BLEND project takes a concrete step toward addressing these challenges in a generic, interoperable, highly effective and efficient manner. _x000D__x000D_The BLEND project targets the problem of real-time data dissemination in a System-of-Systems addressing the challenges due to scalability, and adaption of content, quality of service (QoS) and protocol. The CO output of the project is the “BLEND-Box” which is composed of :_x000D_(1) a generic routing and matching engine that takes care of adapting content, and Quality of Service, _x000D_(2) a pluggable protocol framework allowing the box to bridge across an open-ended set of protocols, _x000D_(3) a set of connectors to standard-based middleware protocols, such as the OMG Data Distribution Service Interoperability Wire Protocol (DDSI), REST, and WS-*_x000D_(4) a new protocol, namely Ultra-Large Scale (ULS) DDSI, extending DDSI to enable efficient and scalable data distribution for System-of-Systems._x000D_The results of the BLEND project will be immediately applicable in the context of Air Traffic Control applications to implement the technical and operational requirements envisioned by the SESAR Joint Undertaking. Specifically, EUROCONTROL has mandated the use of the Object Management Group (OMG) Data Distribution Standard for Real-Time Systems (DDS) as the standard for interconnecting Air Traffic Control Systems across Europe. However, without the innovations introduced by the BLEND project, the overall system relying on existing technologies will not be able to scale. _x000D__x000D_Other application doCOs in which the innovations introduced by the BLEND project will create a market opportunity are Maritime Surveillance, Financial Services, (in the area of multi-exchange trading), as well as real-time web applications, such as twitter._x000D_The BLEND project is supported by a world class consortium consisting of PrismTech, THALES Naval Netherlands, and the University of Rome “La Sapienza”, all of which have world renown expertise and leadership in researching and building technology for large scale and mission/business critical systems. _x000D__x000D_PrismTech, a R&D performing SME, is a company specialized in communication middleware and the leading European provider of OMG-DDS compliant technology. PrismTech has been delivering middleware technology that powers mission and business critical systems, in telecommunication, Air Traffic Control and Management, Defense and Aerospace, and Financial Services for almost two decades. _x000D__x000D_THALES Naval Netherlands is one of the world leading System Integrator (SI) on surface systems, ranging from Naval Systems to Maritime Surveillance Systems. THALES Naval Systems has always been a recognized innovator in the area of Naval Systems and it is one of the early SI to aggressively trying to pursue System-of-Systems. _x000D__x000D_The University of Rome “La Sapienza” participation in the consortium is via the Midlab, leaded by Prof. R. Baldoni, a well known expert in the doCO of Algorithms and Protocols for Large Scale Distributed Systems._x000D__x000D_In summary, the BLEND Project addresses real-time data dissemination in mission and business critical System-of-Systems. The innovation introduced by this project is applicable to multiple doCOs / market segments. The consortium that has been established to support and execute the BLEND project has unique set of skills and demonstrated track record for ensuring a successful project: a strong research institution, innovative SME, and early adopter user._x000D__x000D_The attached slides (PT Sarl annex, PDF) support the justification of the project and make an attempt to provide a visual understanding._x000D_

Acronym	BLEND (Reference Number: 5159)
Duration	01/01/2010 - 31/12/2011
Project Topic	BLEND addresses the need of next-generation mission and business critical system-of-systems, such as Air Traffic Control, Multi-Exchange Trading, and Border Surveillance, for ubiquitous access to real-time data over a multitude of communication technologies and over an ultra-large scale.
Project Results (after finalisation)	The commercial product OpenSplice Gateway
Network	Eurostars
Call	Eurostars Cut-Off 3

Project partner

Number	Name	Role	Country
4	INTECS Informatica e Tecnologe del Software SpA	Partner	Italy
4	PrismTech France SARL	Coordinator	France
4	Thales Nederland B.V.	Partner	Netherlands
4	Universita di Roma "La Sapienza" - Dipartimento di Informatica e Sistemistic	Partner	Italy