Ep optima synopsis

Participants

Pixtech SA (F); Holtronics SA (CH); INS Stuttgart (D); LETI-CEA (F); Rhone Poulenc (F); Saes Getter SPA (I)

Contact Point Duration

Christophe Salvan 18 months from 01 Feb. 97

PixTech SA

Parc Industriel de la Pompignane

Rue de la Vieille Poste

34055 Montpellier cedex (France)
tel: [phone]

fax: [phone]

EP 25340 MOSAREL

Monocrystalline Silicon Active Matrix Reflective Light Valve
Summary

An ultra-high resolution projection display system based on reflective light valves (LV) with 25602048 pixels will be developed. The applications are graphic workstation displays (end-user Barco) and head-up displays (HUD) (end-user Sextant). Combining a 0.7 µm CMOS technology for self-scanning active matrix addressing with a reflective nematic liquid crystal (LC) technology, the LV can be realised in existing ASIC (Alcatel-Mietec) and LC (Thomson-LCD) facilities, without major investments. All necessary design and backend processing (IMEC) and LC (Stuttgart) skills are present in the consortium. 15 µm pixels yield small 3831 mm LVs, a requirement in light, compact, cost-effective optical projection systems.

Barco has proven that the development of an AMLCD technology for the targeted professional high-end display market can become an economic success and must develop higher resolution display systems to secure its position as a world leader in this market. Sextant is European leader in electronics units for aeroplanes. The availability of the targeted LV would reduce weight and volume and improve the potential of the increasingly important HUD-based landing systems.
Objectives

• 
  provide an alternative for existing transmissive active matrix displays to European flat panel display users and OEMs
  
• 
  develop expertise on ASIC design for AM-LVs and set up new flat panel display producing possibilities by this “ASIC approach” for active matrix LCDs
  
• 
  establish an ultra-high resolution reflective LC technology for AM displays, by using advanced Si processing and LC materials selected in the project
  
• 
  provide design flexibility to European display manufacturers, as well for small quantities (high-end products) as for larger ones (cost determined)
  
• 
  open new markets because of cost reduction for active matrix displays (reducing pixel sizes and integrating driving electronics on the active substrate) and by introducing new applications due to the higher resolution that is possible with the techniques developed
  
• 
  develop a graphic workstation display around the developed LV
  
• 
  develop a HUD demonstrator around the developed LV
  

Participants__BARCO_(B)'>Participants

BARCO (B), Alcatel Mietec (B), IMEC (B), University of Stuttgart (D), Thomson-LCD (F), Sextant Avionique(F)
Contact Point Duration

Patrick Vandenberghe, 24 months from 1.09.97

Theodoor Sevenslaan 106

B-8500 Kortrijk, (Belgium)
Tel: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

E-mail: [e-mail]

EP 25187 Se-BN-LCD

SURFACE EFFECT BISTABLE NEMATIC

LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAYS
Summary

The main aim of this project is to develop new ‘surface effect bistable nematic’ liquid crystal screens. This new display technology, developed from basic, is characterised by its intrinsic memory (in other words, the information written by electrical signals persists after the electrical signals are removed), by its speed and by its potentially low mass production cost. The use of this technology will open the door to new product ranges, thus consolidating the industrial base which should, at a later stage, lead to the development of this new technology on flat screen markets today inaccessible to European industry.

The work to develop these displays will be followed by an LCD manufacturer, in order to prepare for future industrialisation.
Objectives

• 
  Development of technologies required for production of a multiplexed demonstrator.
  
• 
  Prototyping of displays for tests (static and multiplexed matrix).
  
• 
  Development of electronic units (tests and demonstrator).
  
• 
  Realisation and integration of a matrix demonstrator with its electronics (minimum multiplexing ratio of 32).
  
• 
  First evaluation for industrialisation of manufacturing process for ‘bistable nematic’ screens.
  

Participants

Sfim Reosc (F); INFM (I); Technopolis Csata Novus Ortus (I); Tecdis SPA (I); Université de Paris (F).

Contact Point Duration

Mr. A. Boissier 12 months from 01.09.97.

SFIM REOSC

Avenue Paul Dautier

78140 VELIZY (France)
Tel: [phone].

Fax: [phone]

EP 25224 VISUFLEX

BISTABLE REFLECTIVE FLC DISPLAYS ON PLASTIC SUBSTRATES FOR SMART CARDS
Summary

This pilot project aims at demonstrating the feasability of a display component dedicated to the smart cards (with or without contacts) and the tag markets.

To achieve such a display component the technology has to meet the overall specifications of the smart cards (mechanical, electrical, environmental, etc) and the requirements for low manufacturing cost (material, labour, depreciation).
This pilot project, based on the fundamental research already conducted by the partners, aims at demonstrating a viable answer to these 2 challenges.
Objectives

• 
  Application requirements and evaluation: the use of displays in smart cards will demand specific requirements such as flexibility, geometry, temperature range and addressing voltages which have to be specified and carried out with the prototypes to perform and evaluation.
  

• 
  Technical objectives: investigations on the ferroelectric materials, the plastic substrates, the barrier and alignment layers, glue and sealing materials and the compatibility between these various materials. Addressing schemes and circuitry will be developed adapted to the requirements of the displays and the smart card chips.
  

These evaluations will be concluded with the manufacturing of several prototypes.

• 
  Printing technologies: to reach the low cost target, work will be carried out for adapting printing technologies to the specific display requirements. The process will be investigated and developed to a degree that prototype displays can already be fabricated by printing and with the goal to be scaled in the future to continuous roll-to-roll processes.
  

Participants

Gemplus (F); Univ. of Stuttgart (D); Hoechst AG (D); INSA-Lyon (F).
Contact Point Duration

Mr. P. Fougere – GEMPLUS 12 months from 01.07.97.

Rue Guynemer 34

92447 ISSY-LES-MOULINEAUX (France)
Tel: [phone].

Fax: + 33.1.30.50.90.92.

EP 25498 LAMPADY

Large Multimedia Plasma Display
Summary

This project focuses on research and development of colour plasma displays with screen sizes 42” and above. The main applications are consumer: digital television and multimedia.

Considering the increasing user and market demand for large and flat displays and based on the Plasma Display Panel (PDP) technology of Thomson Tubes Electronics, the project aims at further developing the PDP and underpinning technologies (e.g., signal processing, electronics, etc.).
Objectives

• 
  General architecture and subassemblies for prototyping of 42’’ and above, 16/9
  
• 
  Multimedia plasma displays.
  
• 
  Panel design and development.
  
• 
  Plasma modules electronics.
  
• 
  Demonstrators for multimedia and PC interfaces.
  
• 
  Panel technologies for performance improvements.
  
• 
  Definition and conception of pilot engineering process.
  

Participants__ASESA_(E);'>Participants__Deutsche_Thomson_Brandt_(D);'>Participants

Deutsche Thomson Brandt (D); Cerdec (F); Glaverbel (B); Thomson Tubes Electroniques (F); SGS-Thomson Microelectronics (F); Thomson Multimedia (F); Sopra (F).
Contact Person Duration

Mr G. Rilly 24 months from 01.07.1997

Deutsche Thomson-Brandt GmbH

Hermann-Schwer-Strasse 3

78048 Villingen-Schwenningen (Germany)
Tel: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

EP 21674 SCOTSMAN

Strategic Components, Technologies & Systems in Magnetic Storage
Summary

The Scotsman project builds on the successful results obtained in EP 9257 Magdrive, where a 540 MB hard disk with removable cartridge has been developed and put into production, and EP 6189 Mihfad where advanced magnetic heads where achieved.

The goals of the project are to develop technologies for magnetic hard disk drives, to use them to realise two products for personal computers, and finally to integrate the new devices in system applications taking advantage of the new capabilities (listed below).

Objectives

 a 1.5 GB 3½" single plater removable cartridge magnetic disk drive compatible with the common PD standard promoted by Nomaï and Syquest together with a range of application-optimised 3½" cartridges – plus a prototype double plater version using GMR heads

 an 800 MB 1.8" PC Card magnetic disk drive – plus a prototype 1.3 GB version using GMR heads
 an 800 Mbpsi planar inductive head – plus a prototype 1.2 Gbpsi version
 flexible circuits for the head/arm electronics for both disk drives
 a video editing demonstration system using the cartridge drive
 an electronic newspaper demonstration system using the PC Card drive

Participants__Oticon_A/S_(DK)'>Participants

Nomaï (F); Calluna (UK); Silmag (F); Myrica (UK); Xyratex (UK); Fast(D); Acorn (UK)
Contact Duration

Dr. Nigel Mackintosh 18 months from 01.02.96

Mackintosh Consultants

The Chase, Pinfold Lane,

Northop Hall, Clwyd CH7 6HE, (United Kingdom)
tel: [phone]

fax: [phone]

E-mail: [e-mail]

EP 21314 ELECline

Electrical line for full compatible appliances, communications and utilities equipment

Summary

Products are to be developed with integrated EHS (European Home System) interfaces using the power line as a medium for the data transfer. These products will be configured and installed in two demo sites, one in Spain and one in Italy. The focus is to optimise the energy and load management as well as the comfort. For the first one an interface between utilities and the customer is developed to allow the utility to offer new services to the customer. In the second, a homogenous interactive television set-top box enables the client to configure his own system in a very user-friendly way. Additional communication products like PSTN gateways and CATV gateways will also permit a remote configuration and monitoring of the EHS functions by any external service provider.

Objectives

· To define and implement the functional and architectural specifications for the products that will be developed within the project (intelligent sockets, intelligent thermostats, energy meter gateway, interactive TV terminal, CATV gateway).

· To define the interoperability profiles for load management and electro-appliances.
· To optimise the existing telephone gateway, energy controller and remote configurator to allow full energy control and the reception of data files.
· To develop new products: electric store heater, water heater, intelligent thermostat and intelligent socket.
· To test and verify user acceptance in a real environment of the following functionalities: energy management, remote configuration, control and monitoring of the electro-appliances, user interface and external communications.
Participants

Hirchmann (A), Fagor (E), Vimar (I), VDE (I), Enel (I), Iberdrola (E), I. Mulazzani (I).
Contact Point Duration

Hirchmann Ges.m.b.H 24 months from 02.01.1996

Josef Faller

Oberer Paspelweg 6-8

A-6830 Rankweil Brederis (Austria)
tel: [phone]

fax: [phone]

E-mail: [e-mail]

EP 21499 OSIM-AHSII

Open and scaleable intelligent metering system for advanced home services II
Summary

This project, OSIM-AHSII, follows a viability study achieved in EP 9264 OSIM-AHS.

OSIM-AHS may be the key to the development of new services, and the aim is to design and realize the building blocks which are needed to establish a communicating architecture between utilities and customer, with a special emphasis on two-way communication with meters and two-way communication with appliances or systems in homes.

The first range of products will be energy management oriented, but other applications will come in a second step when the infrastructure provided by OSIM-AHS Systems is available. In the proposed reference architecture, special attention has been paid to the possibility of upgrading the system services and communications means, without big overcharges or equipment modifications. The existence of a large number of customers having, through this architecture, access to information and services through the HS Power Line Connection, will help considerably in the promotion of the HS products, in countries where the participating utilities operate.

Objectives

The objectives are based on the concept of integrated and interactive home systems:

 Development, manufacture, and validation of an intelligent process unit (OSIM-AHS), situated at the end users' dwellings, capable of offering energy management services and the communication and interface basic functional blocks for supporting home services.
 Development, manufacture, and validation of the Concentrator & Communication Switching device (CCS), situated between the customer premises and the central low voltage unit, capable of communicating with several pieces of OSIM-AHS equipment. The use of this CCS device is enhanced by its alternative two-way data telecommunications system: PLC or telephone.
Participants

ASESA (E); EDP (P); Landis & Gyr (CH); EDF (F); Alcatel-Mietec (B); GDF (F); ENEL (I); EA (UK).
Contact Point Duration

Roberto Tordable 26 months from 15.03.96

Alcatel SESA

Calle Einstein 7 (P.T.M),

28760 Tres Cantos, Madrid (España)
tel: [phone]

fax: [phone]

E-mail: [e-mail]

EP 21667 GAP

Gas-based EHS products for existing dwellings
Summary

GAP will be focused on the development of different technological elements and domestic appliances to be installed in existing dwellings with a double objective.

· to create a significant number of available EHS power line compatible products,

and

· to consolidate an offer of EHS, gas-based domestic appliances.

These objectives will allow for the promotion of new gas applications in the European market. These technological elements (called "EHS Gas Enabler") and domestic appliances are designed to be installed in any existing dwelling. Gas utilities wish to use it in the promotion of domestic gas applications.

Objectives

· To develop a power line, EHS-compatible equipment set, heating programmer, telephonic gateway, thermostat, gas and water sensors, gas and water mains electrovalves, boiler actuator, heating zone valves, security detectors, distress call emitter and intelligent plugs.

· To use the existing EHS technology in the development of the "EHS Gas Enabler" elements. They will be based on the 80C51 microcontroller family.
· To produce a lighter version of the EHS specification (called HS Lite) so that it can be implemented in these small pieces of equipment at low cost. HS Lite will be an EHS library that implements a full compliant EHS protocol on Power Line.
· To develop power line compatible gas appliances: a combined condensation boiler producing heating and domestic hot water, a water heater, a bi-thermal washing machine, and a bi-thermal dishwasher (bi-thermal appliances receive hot water at the required temperature directly from the boiler).
Participants

Institut Cerda (E), Gas Natural (E), Gaz De France (F), British Gas (UK), Fagor (E), Delta Dore (I), Trialog (F)
Contact Point Duration

Albert Girbal and Xavier Passaret 25 months from 01.03.96

Institut Cerda

Numància 185 4º2ª

BARCELONA 08034 (España)
tel: [phone]

fax: [phone]

E-mail: [e-mail]


ESD Best Practice and Cooperative R&D

EP 20482 HEARMASTER

Advanced Hearing Aid Test Tools in Oticon
Summary

HEARMASTER is a Demonstration Project which demonstrates the introduction of advanced mixed-signal test techniques and tools in a leading manufacturing company of hearing aids. By introducing modern Digital Signal Processing (DSP) test techniques the envisaged improvement in throughput during testing can be increased threefold compared with the existing system for test. To cater for such improvements a certain amount of tailoring will be needed to comply with the demands of the user.

Objectives

· To achieve a threefold improvement in test throughput with corresponding cost reductions.

· To achieve easy transfer of results from design verification to production test.
· To integrate a more user-friendly testing environment.
· To adapt the prototype tool to the user needs.
· To increase the vendor confidence in the market for the tool
· To disseminate the results throughout the community.
Participants

Oticon A/S (DK), MicroLEX Systems A/S (DK)
Contact Point Duration

Niels Ole Dalsgaard 15 months from 01.12.95

Oticon A/S

Strandvejen 58

DK-2900 HELLERUP (Denmark)
tel: [phone]

fax: [phone]

E-mail: [e-mail]

EP 20491 SOGROUTE

Physical Design Automation on Mixed Semi-Custom Arrays
Summary

Electronic systems for contactless identification use radio-frequency (RF) and infra-red (IR) transmission techniques to exchange information between a fixed, controlling device and a mobile, controlled device (typically an identification badge). These systems dramatically benefit from integration on a single chip, for economical, reliability and confidentiality reasons. In order to limit costs for medium-volume production, a mixture of full-custom and mixed-mode semi-custom solutions have been selected. Thanks to the availability of new, low-cost, physical design tools for gate arrays and standard cells provided by Snake Technologies (formerly EDA Solutions): gateSnake and cellSnake, Prinsys is able to control the whole design flow of the ICs of its systems.

Objectives

 Increase the know-how necessary to design mixed analogue-digital ICs at low cost and fast turnaround through the use of mixed-mode arrays and standard cell methodologies.

 Acquire a full control of the design process, from system to chip, and from high-level specification to low-level physical design.

 Take advantage of the advance availability of full-featured, low-cost, physical IC design automation tools from EDA Solutions and Snake Technologies: gateSnake and cellSnake.

 Develop and evaluate a new analogue-digital IC design flow on PC, including tools well known on the market, and newer tools from EDA/Snake.

 Develop two mixed analogue-digital ICs to be integrated in the next generation of Prinsys products: one is a RF emitter in the range 125 kHz to 6 MHz, and the second is an AM demodulator coupled with a manchester-type decoder.

 Evaluate typical user expectations for IC physical design tools, and tune functionality and features accordingly. Set up a support and maintenance procedure.

Participants

Prinsys (F), EDA Solutions (F)
Contact Point Duration

Jean-Noel Prein 12 Months from 01.10.95

PRINSYS SA

BP6

2, Impasse des Grès

F-78117 Chateaufort (France)
tel.: [phone]

fax: [phone]

EP 20755 EMCPCB

Using new concepts to obtain EMC on PCBs
Summary

At the moment, in the electronic design flow at Siemens there is a connection between design entry and PCB layout as well as between design entry and analog simulation. There is no connection between layout and analog simulation.

Higher frequencies and smaller packages combined with new technologies like multi-chip modules, surface mounted technology and others, make traces in the layout an important factor.

The main objective is to make a connection between the simulation and the layout. This connection should work automatically and must be easy to use for an electric circuit designer.

Within this project the software will be tested very thoroughly, all errors in the software will be reported by Siemens and fixed by Simlab. The simulation results will be used to improve the quality of the product and shorten the development time.
Objectives

· Test and improve Simlab software: Siemens will use the Software “Extract” from Simlab in depth. This assures that the software will be free of errors and user friendly after the project is completed, ready to be sold on the market.

· Test the link between layout and simulation and optimise it for ease of use by the design engineer.
· Decrease product development times: Siemens is expecting from these tools, to locate errors in hardware design earlier. This should help cut down on development times and avoid unnecessary redesigns. It is hoped that earlier time-to-market and a competitive advantage will result.
Participants

Siemens AG (D); Simlab GmbH (D).
Contact Point Duration

Siemens AG 15 months from 01.10.95

Dep. ZPL 1 MPP 4

81730 Munich (Germany)
tel: [phone]

fax: [phone]

E-mail: [e-mail]
EP 20816 MISIDESY

Closed front to back end mixed-signal ASIC Design System
Summary

MISIDESY aims to extend the power of analogue-digital design in Europe. The result of the project will be a continuous front-to-back and bottom-to-top design flow tested with real industrial examples that will work with analogue behavioural languages for analogue-digital systems. The latest commercial tools will be tested within the programme.

From the advances in the digital field and the rising importance of complex mixed-signal ASICs it follows that what is needed, is to develop analogue design to the level of digital design. What is needed is the establishment of modern methodologies and tools. This will also bring mixed-signal design within the scope of SMEs.

Thesys will train selected designers in the new methods, and use an analogue custom design as a demonstrator for design work using an A-HDL system description.

Objectives

 The creation of analogue behavioural models which allow description and simulation of whole system (mechanical components, micromechanical systems, magnetic fields, electrical force, flows, pneumatic behaviour etc.).

 Standardisation of the analogue behavioural language.

 Linking different simulators for behavioural simulation and "classical" network analysis; digital simulators for behavioural and gate level simulation and connection with mathematically oriented programs (e.g. A-HDL, HF-Spectre, SPICE, Verilog, VHDL).

 Creation of models suitable for high level analogue behavioural description which describe precisely the analogue physical reality with all relevant dependencies.

 Combination of the analogue-digital simulator with effective analysis tools.

 Links with special simulators e.g. HF simulators, description within frequency domain or filter simulators

 Hierarchical analogue back annotation between behavioural simulation and layout with VAMPIRE.