The aim of TARGET is to overcome the fragmentation of European research in the field of microwave power amplifiers for broadband wireless access by creating a progressive and durable integration of research capacities of the network partners. Ultimately, European technology and research in the fields of active power devices beyond CMOS, of the characterisation and simulation of materials and devices, of amplifier design and linearisation, and in the field of broadband transmitter system design shall attain a leading role in the world. This challenge has been rightly acknowledged by the European Commission in making "Pushing the limits of CMOS and preparing for Post-CMOS" a strategic objective of the IST work programme 2003-2004.
TARGET will bring together 45 top amplifier research groups consisting of 168 researchers and 67 doctoral students (coming from 12 EU member countries, 3 candidate countries, and 2 associated countries) that have in the past three years published more than 1000 papers. This integration will be pursued with the aim to - create a co-operative network- establish a virtual centre of excellence- stimulate and co-ordinate world-class research.
TARGET will follow a well-designed methodology to integrate research in this field. As a general principle, it will use research itself for the purpose of achieving a desire to integrate among the participants. A total of 26 work packages in the fields of integration, joint research, dissemination of knowledge, and of network management are defined for the first 18- month period. To account for the special needs and interests of female researchers a gender action plan is foreseen.
Over the four years funding period an average funding rate of only 2,000,000 per year is requested. To prepare for time after community support, TARGET will submit itself to an annually decreasing budget so that there will be need for the network to achieve its own financing.
