5G Intelligent Automotive Network Applications

Project Information

5G-IANA

Grant agreement ID: 101016427

DOI

10.3030/101016427

Project closed

EC signature date 16 December 2020

Start date 1 June 2021

End date 30 November 2024

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies - Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)

Total cost

€ 7 628 439,89

EU contribution

€ 5 999 969,00

Coordinated by

EREVNITIKO PANEPISTIMIAKO INSTITOUTO SYSTIMATON EPIKOINONION KAI YPOLOGISTON
Greece

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - 5G-IANA (5G Intelligent Automotive Network Applications)

Reporting period: 2023-03-01 to 2024-11-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The 5G-IANA project addressed the lack of accessible, advanced 5G experimentation platforms for third-party developers, particularly SMEs and Start-ups in the Automotive sector. This challenge limited their ability to efficiently design, deploy, and test innovative applications for Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM). The project aimed to overcome technological barriers such as the complexity of network orchestration, integration across different virtualisation technologies, and privacy concerns related to data-driven Machine Learning (ML) applications in the Automotive domain.

5G-IANA aimed to enable safer, smarter, and more sustainable transportation solutions. By fostering innovation in the Automotive sector through 5G-enabled technologies, the project contributed to improved road safety, enhanced transportation efficiency, and reduced environmental impact. Additionally, it supports economic growth by providing SMEs and Start-ups with automated tools and infrastructure to innovate, while assisting them to create new business opportunities and a competitive market for automotive services.

Overall objectives & Conclusions of the action: The 5G-IANA project has achieved to provided an open 5G experimentation platform specifically tailored to the Automotive sector. This Automotive Open Experimentation Platform (AOEP) includes hardware, software, and management tools to simplify the design, testing, and deployment of innovative Automotive applications. Moving beyond technological challenges, and exploiting input from the demonstration activities, 5G-IANA identified and validate market conditions for innovative, yet sustainable business models for the AOEP platform, supporting a long-term roadmap towards the pan-European deployment of 5G as a key advanced Automotive services enabler. Key objectives achieved include:
- Specified and provided the 5G-IANA Automotive Open Experimental Platform (AOEP).
- Specified and implemented a repository environment for Network Applcations (nApps )and VNFs, simplifying the design and chaining of new Automotive-related services.
- Ensured coexistence with Dedicated Short-Range Communications (DSRC) and LTE/5G while enhancing network platform performance for the Automotive sector.
- Delivered accurate localisation and low-latency capabilities for mission-critical applications.
- Defined, implemented, and trialled Connected and Automated Driving use cases, validating and assessing the AOEP's suitability and functional improvements.
- Improved service creation time, meeting the 5G-PPP KPI.
- Created new business opportunities and boosted the market for Start-ups and SMEs with Automotive NetApps.
- Worked on increasing road safety by leveraging Connected and Automated Mobility through enhanced network performance.
- Ensured cross-domain and cross-platform interoperability while advancing standardisation efforts in NFV and network orchestration.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The 5G-IANA project developed and validated the AOEP, enabling efficient 5G-based experimentation for the Automotive sector.

Key Achievements:
1 Platform Design & Development:
- Defined AOEP functional requirements, architecture, and specifications.
- Specified interfaces, nApp onboarding workflows, and an Extreme Edge Orchestration (EEO) framework for managing edge devices (OBUs, RSUs) with 5G capabilities.
- Delivered key AOEP building blocks in two release cycles (A and B), including asynchronous operations (Pub/Sub) and ML scheme selection (centralized/federated).
2 nApp & VNF Development:
- Created a metamodel language for describing nApps, AFs, and NFs.
- Provided APIs and built 53 AFs, 10 VNFs, and 22 nApps across 7 automotive use cases, forming a rich repository for SMEs.
3 Validation & Demonstrations:
- Defined and tested seven use cases with clear KPIs.
- Showcased UC6 trials at the project review and final event.
4 Stakeholder Engagement & Open Calls:
- Surveyed 3rd-parties for platform feedback.
- Ran two Open Calls for SMEs and start-ups to trial nApps and use cases on AOEP.
5 Standardisation:
- Contributed to ETSI TR 104 074, influencing testing and validation methodologies for network application-based services over 5G.
- Supported evolving standards to guide future global 5G deployments.

Dissemination: The project’s results were shared with academia, SMEs, industry, and public entities. Activities included:
- Publications & Presentations: 23 main/workshop papers, 11 project, 7 session presentations at events like EuCNC and ITS EU Congress.
- Participation in 36 conferences and other major events (4 out of which for workshops)
- Demos & Exhibitions: 7 demos and 7 exhibitions (e.g. ICT-41 Plugfest).
- Webinars & Events: 8 webinars and a final event in Ljubljana with live demos.
- Media & Reports: Contributions to 5G-PPP Brochure, European 5G Annual Journal, and online platforms.

Exploitation: The project’s outputs—including the AOEP, NOD module, analytics frameworks, test networks, ITS/MEC systems, and advanced automotive applications—offer a strong base for future innovation. Actions included:
- Providing AOEP access to 3rd-parties via Open Calls.
- Supporting SMEs with technical and business coaching.
- Developing sustainable business models for automotive services.
- Influencing EU-wide 5G deployment strategies.
- Advancing standardisation and interoperability through ETSI TR 104 074 and subsequent updates.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The 5G-IANA project advanced 5G-based automotive services, delivering innovative tools and impactful solutions for safer, smarter mobility.

Key Advancements Beyond the State of the Art:

1. Innovative Automotive Data Model: Introduced a data model that simplifies nApp chaining by exposing only essential service-level details, easing application design for SMEs and start-ups (including those participating via Open Calls).

2. Federated Learning with Extreme Edge Orchestration (EEO): Developed a scalable, efficient federated learning framework with resource/data monitoring, model/data transfer, intelligent client selection, and seamless MANO integration, extending capabilities to OBUs and RSUs at the network’s edge.

3. On-Vehicle MANO Platform: Created a platform for deploying and managing AFs/NFs on edge devices (e.g. OBUs), ensuring efficient operation across distributed automotive networks.


Results & Potential Impacts:

1. Technical & Business Outcomes: The AOEP ecosystem—encompassing AFs/NFs, tools, nApps—lowers barriers for SMEs and start-ups to create new automotive applications over 5G, encouraging innovation. A techno-economic analysis supports market viability and sustainable business models.

2. Societal & Economic Benefits: Through realistic 5G testbeds and third-party engagement, the project delivered safer and more efficient services such as maneuver planning, remote driving control, hazard detection, and pQoS-enabled adaptability. These advancements improve road safety, traffic management, and pave the way for smarter cities.

3. Standardization & Broader Influence: By contributing to ETSI TR 104 074, 5G-IANA’s validation methodologies became widely accessible. A new ETSI work item will integrate further EU project findings, guiding the path toward a universally accepted testing and validation framework for network applications.

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