The document describes the structure and facilities of the IBBT iLab, which includes research groups, a technical test center for evaluating platforms and networking equipment, an open innovation center for multi-stakeholder collaboration on policy issues, and a usability lab for testing products and services. The technical test center is equipped to evaluate various networking technologies and conduct performance testing and analysis. The usability lab allows for usability testing in controlled laboratory environments or portable and mobile setups in natural contexts.

1. IBBT iLab
Tara Shrimpton-Smith
Pieter Ballon
Brecht Vermeulen

2. iLab structure
IBBT
iLab
Research groups
Technical test center
iLab
Usability lab forum
Open innovation centre Research projects
 Support for basic research
 iLab doesn’t disturb the market (commercial tests)
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3. iLab Technical test center
Brecht Vermeulen

4. Overview
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5. Equipment: platforms and measurement tools
 xDSL, cable, ethernet, fibre channel, infiniband, wireless
 Servers, terminals, handheld devices, storage
 Interactive TV: Myrio, MHP
 Measurement:
 L2-L3 traffic generation: smartbits, Testcenter, N2X
 L1-L3 traffic analysis: Fluke Optiview, xDSL tracespan
 L4-L7 generation & analysis: Spirent Avalanche
 Voice quality tester Opticom opera
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6. Telenet to Skynet (Skype P2P and direct): 24h
4,5
MOS 2500
Delay
4
4
2000
3,5
2000ms
3
1500
2,5 Delay Max (within 1
MOS Score
Delay (ms)
conversation) [ms]
Delay Avg (within 1
3
conversation) [ms]
2 Delay Min (within 1
1000 conversation) [ms]
1,5
1
P2P
500
0,5
0
T ime
0
1000ms
T ime
4,5 2500
4
2000
3,5
4
3
1500
2000ms
2,5
Delay (ms)
MOS Score
Delay Max (within 1
conversation) [ms]
3
2
Delay Avg (within 1
1000 conversation) [ms]
1,5 Delay Min (within 1
conversation) [ms]
1
500
Direct 0,5 1000ms
0 0
T ime Time
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7. TCP offloading network cards
8 Gb/s 100%
MTU MTU
1500 9000
4 Gb/s 50%
Chelsio
Chelsio
Intel
Intel
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8. iLab
Open innovation center
Pieter Ballon

9. iLab open innovation centre (1/3)
Why support and take part in Open Innovation?
 Open Innovation
 Shorter time-to-market for more ideas
 Using the innovative capabilities at the edges of the value chain: non-ICT companies,
SMEs, semi-professionals, consumers, policy makers
 Systemic Failure in ICT Innovation
 Too little or too much interaction, danger of lock-in
 Early intervention in innovation process required
 Involving Policy Makers
 Societal innovation
 Constructive Technology Assessment
 Involving Companies and Public Organisations
 Demonstrate advantages of open and multi-stakeholder
process
 Experiment with new business / PPP models in trusted
context
 Involving End Users
 End users domesticate new technologies
 End users create new value and adopt new roles
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10. iLab open innovation centre (2/3)
What is the iLab open innovation centre?
 The IBBT lab for policy and strategy research and experimentation
 Important Policy and Strategy Issues
 Stimulating open innovation
 Building strong partnerships and networks
 Reaping rewards from Web 2.0 innovations
 Closing the digital divide
 Safeguarding privacy and trust
 Methods
 Experimental, multi-stakeholder analysis and co-design with policy and
business partners
 Use of various simulation tools and Living Lab settings, including a
wireless broadband campus network in Brussels
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11. iLab open innovation centre (3/3)
National and international dimension
 Expertise in national and international projects
 Policy impact of ICT innovations
 Foresight for policy and strategy
 Open innovation business models
 Living Lab experimentation
 European Network of Living Labs
 Established November 2006 in Helsinki, Finland
 20 Members selected as forerunners of European Living Labs
 Open Innovation Centre selected as member of first wave of
European Living Labs
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12. iLab
Usability lab
Tara Shrimpton-Smith

13. Advantages of lab testing
 Easier for products in development
 Video-recordings improve analysis
 Usability expert takes notes without disturbing the user
 Other people can follow and comment the test without
disturbing the user
 Possibility for extension with extra equipment
 Validation test
 Comparing test
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14. Disadvantages of lab testing
 Test user intimidated by environment
 Distance between usability expert and user
 In-house usability lab kan leiden tot sociaal wenselijke
antwoorden-> goeie vertaling gewenst ;-)
 Cost and maintenance of equipment
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15. Stationary usability lab
Observation and control room
separated by view-through mirror and
cameras
Evaluation software “Noldus The
Observer”
Controlled environment
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16. Portable usability lab
Same facilities but on location
Possibility to test in natural
environment
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17. Mobile usability lab
Testing of handheld devices
Natural environment
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18. Eyetracking
Heat maps, hot spots, gaze time
Controlled environment
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19. iLab
Demo Usability lab
Tara Shrimpton-Smith