Fraunhofer Institute for Open Communication Systems

Fraunhofer Institute for Open Communication Systems

Research Topics and Current Challenges

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FOKUS has set itself the goal of shaping the networked world and making it secure, reliable and sustainable. To do this, the researchers have technological expertise in the areas of digital networking, digital life, digital governance, security/certification, artificial intelligence, quantum computing and sustainability.

In these areas, we have been working closely and trustingly with industry and the public sector for years. It is central to the Fraunhofer identity that we carry out projects for the benefit of society and offer a wide range of technical solutions for current challenges.

FOKUS Sovereignty

Our solutions for current challenges

Grafik Souveränität: Eine Reihe von transparenten weißen Kugeln mit einer gelben Kugel, die sich außerhalb der Reihe befindet

In an increasingly interconnected world, digital sovereignty is essential. It includes control over one's data, digital infrastructures, and technologies. Digital sovereignty is necessary to actively shape the future, maintain economic competitiveness, and protect democracy. The urgency for a sovereign Germany and Europe has increased significantly, given current international geopolitical developments.

A central goal of Fraunhofer FOKUS is strengthening national and European digital sovereignty. As an institute for open communication systems, we have decades of experience in many different areas that promote digital sovereignty for companies, the state, public authorities, and individual citizens. Our innovative solutions enable the implementation and operation of digitally sovereign infrastructures!

To this end, we offer data platforms based on open standards, multi-vendor communication infrastructures, as well as new methods for protecting (personal) data. We provide digital skills training to enable our customers to make informed decisions and apply new technologies. We also research tomorrow's technologies, such as quantum computing and 6G networks, to enable and advance their practical use.

#FOKUSsovereignty

“The fact that a foreign technology company could, for example, pull the plug on digital technology due to political requirements and thus exercise extensive control over data and infrastructures is a serious threat to Germany and Europe as business locations, to the security of critical infrastructures and to our democratic system.

We must now make up for this loss of digital sovereignty, which has been creeping up on us over the past few decades, as quickly as possible. Open-source and multi-vendor solutions, as well as the secure networking of distributed infrastructures, provide us with the necessary independence for national and European digital sovereignty. Only in this way can we remain economically, politically and socially effective and maintain our competitiveness in the long term.”

Prof. Dr. Manfred Hauswirth, Director of the Fraunhofer Institute FOKUS

© iStock / GaudiLab

Open Data Platforms

Data management ecosystem for the public sector for use cases related to big data, data sharing, and open data – piveau
Reference architecture“ for open, urban platforms in the smart city – oupPLUS

© Paul Hahn / Fraunhofer FOKUS

Multi-vendor communication infrastructures

Software-based 5G core network that can be extended with hardware and software from other vendors – Open5GCore
Temporary, transportable 5G network – Nomadic Node
Reference architecture for open, modular 5G campus networks – CampusOS project
End-to-end test environment for 5G networks – XG Testbeds

© istock / JGalione

Data Protection and Management

Procedure for pseudonymized identification of personal data – ADEP
Pseudonymized mobility data for Location-as-a-Service
Trustworthy data sharing, merging and joint use – Pistis
Interoperable content protection for Internet-delivered video – Provenance and Authenticity
National research data infrastructure – Base4NFDI

© istock / Daviles

Open Source Solutions

Simulation environment for connected and highly automated mobility – Eclipse MOSAIC
Evaluation of measurement data from mobile networks – Open Mobile Network Toolkit (OMNT)
Data management ecosystem for the public sector – piveau
Open-Source High-Level Programming Framework Qrisp
Open Source dash.js Video Player
Common Learning Middleware Platform

© AI generated / Fraunhofer FOKUS

Future technologies

To ensure that digital sovereignty is sustainable in the long term, we are developing technologies today that will be market-ready in a few years' time, for example:

Quantum Computing – Open-source high-level programming framework Thinq Qrisp
Vendor-neutral, software-based core network for future mobile networks – Open6GCore

© iStock / gremlin

Digital skills

To be able to act autonomously, digital skills are necessary. We support you in this, for example:

FOKUS Academy courses, e.g. Open Source in Products
Create software applications without programming knowledge – Low Code
Qualification for the public sector – Qualifica Digitalis

© Creative Bureaucracy Festival (Schlesinger)

Meet our experts

Talk to our experts at events held at our institute and at external conferences and trade fairs:

All Events

© shutterstock / Lazlo

Information Material

Find out more, for example:

Digitale Souveränität als strategische Autonomie – Umgang mit Abhängigkeiten im digitalen Staat: White Paper (GER)
Assessment of future developments in IT technologies – ÖFIT-Trendsonar
Open private 5G networks – From Business Needs to Realization: Guideline CampusOS

Our Experts

© Philipp Plum / Fraunhofer FOKUS

Prof. Dr. Manfred Hauswirth

Institute director Fraunhofer FOKUS
Expert in quantum computing and open distributed systems

Phone +49 30 3463-7204

© Philipp Plum / Fraunhofer FOKUS

Prof. Dr. Tom Ritter

Deputy Institute Director Fraunhofer FOKUS
Expert in model-driven software development
Member of the Board of Directors of the Eclipse Foundation

Phone +49 30 3463-7278

© Philipp Plum / Fraunhofer Fokus

Dr. Jens Klessmann

Director of the business unit Digital Public Services
Expert in data infrastructures for the public sector

Phone +49 30 3463-7285

© Fraunhofer FOKUS

Prof. Dr. Thomas Magedanz

Director of the business unit Software-based Networks
Expert in communication networks of the future

Phone +49 30 3463-7229