The cooperation started by the NOBEL Project will continue during NOBEL phase 2. In particular, cooperations are active with the IP MUPBED, IST MUFINS and STREP LASAGNE projects.

Moreover, collaborations with the second phase of the Network of Excellence E-Photon/ONE and with the second phase of. the IP MUSE are foreseen. They will be based on information exchange on the basis of common workshops and project deliverables on selected subjects. The cooperation will extend the objectives of NOBEL phase 2 in terms of network architectures and solutions for seamless end-to-end management and QoS, in order to build a common view of the future European end-to-end broadband network enabling broadband services for all and to streamline also the activities relevant for standardization contributions to establish and strengthen the European position.

NOBEL is aiming at an active cooperation with the IP MUPBED both on technical and strategic issues. This will be done on information exchange on the basis of common workshops and project deliverables on selected subjects. Joint experimental activities are also foreseen

The main objective of the STREP LASAGNE is design and development of all-optical devices that implement packet routing and label swapping functionality in all-optical routing nodes. The collaboration will cover issues such as the definition of scenarios and functional requirements for next generation optical networks based on an optimum balance among optical packet and circuit switching. Specifically the collaboration will be based on exchange of deliverables, organization of joint conference-call, meeting and workshops.

The past decade witnessed a remarkable advance in all-optical signal processing techniques and rapid maturity in the fabrication of compact all-optical switches. The next key step in all-optical technology evolution is to develop the means to manufacture compact and low cost arrays of all-optical gates, that is, to develop the capability for the VLSI of all-optical gates. MUFINS combines the efforts of 8 European research groups as the first step in this direction. MUFINS aims to demonstrate 2 and 4 element monolithically integrated arrays of packaged and pigtailed InGaAsP, 2x2 all-optical switches on single InP substrates for operation at 10 and 40 Gb/s.