  The foreseen luminosity upgrade for the LHC (a factor of 5-10 more in peak
luminosity by 2021) poses serious constraints on the technology for the ATLAS
tracker in this High Luminosity era (HL-LHC). In fact, such luminosity increase
leads to increased occupancy and radiation damage of the tracking detectors.
  To investigate the suitability of pixel sensors using the proven planar
technology for the upgraded tracker, the ATLAS Planar Pixel Sensor R&D Project
was established comprising 17 institutes and more than 80 scientists. Main
areas of research are the performance of planar pixel sensors at highest
fluences, the exploration of possibilities for cost reduction to enable the
instrumentation of large areas, the achievement of slim or active edge designs
to provide low geometric inefficiencies without the need for shingling of
modules and the investigation of the operation of highly irradiated sensors at
low thresholds to increase the efficiency.
  In the following I will present results from the group, concerning mainly
irradiated-devices performance, together with studies for new sensors,
including detailed simulations.
