Periodic Reporting for period 1 - EWOC (Enabling Virtualized Wireless and Optical Coexistence for 5G and Beyond)
Reporting period: 2022-09-01 to 2024-11-30
The growing demand for bandwidth-intensive internet services necessitates advancements in optical data transmission to achieve advancements in throughput and latency. Next generation telecom systems, combining cutting-edge radio and core network technologies, aim to seamlessly integrate optical communications. This scenario presents challenges in harmonizing wireless and optical technologies to enable smooth, end-to-end communication.
Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, EWOC project aims to develop a next-generation converged optical-wireless network solution providing high-capacity, low-latency communications with enhanced spectral efficiency. Built on virtualized, flexible and coexistent infrastructure with cooperative features, EWOC solutions aim to enable optimized resource utilization towards the next generation of dense, heterogeneous networks. Finally, the EWOC Network pursues these aims by establishing a high-quality training platform designed to enhance the skills and boost the employability of its Doctoral Candidates.
Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, EWOC project aims to develop a next-generation converged optical-wireless network solution providing high-capacity, low-latency communications with enhanced spectral efficiency. Built on virtualized, flexible and coexistent infrastructure with cooperative features, EWOC solutions aim to enable optimized resource utilization towards the next generation of dense, heterogeneous networks. Finally, the EWOC Network pursues these aims by establishing a high-quality training platform designed to enhance the skills and boost the employability of its Doctoral Candidates.
EWOC project has achieved notable technical progress across its four main research objectives: 6G Ultra-Dense Cells (UDCs) for Terabit Communications, Optical Fronthaul (OFH) Architectures Enabling 6G, Optical Virtualization Layer for 6G, and Enabling vRAN Resource Sharing for 6G Coexistence. These advancements lay the groundwork for innovative solutions in ultra-dense networking, optical resource management, and virtualized RAN architectures.
In the pursuit of UDC technology, the project has conducted extensive state-of-the-art (SOTA) investigations into network modelling, mobility management, and privacy-preserving techniques. This has included the development of 3D network models using UAV base stations, integration of millimeter-wave (MMW) and terahertz (THz) frequencies for improved coverage and capacity, and advanced beam alignment modelling to address mobility challenges. Additionally, preliminary progress has been made in dynamic blockage modelling to ensure seamless connectivity in dense network environments.
Efforts to design cost-effective and versatile OFH frameworks have led to the following advancements. A comprehensive analysis of enabling technologies guided the conceptualization of modular Software-Defined Transceiver (SDT) reference architectures towards multi-rate, multi-format operations. Experimental implementations validated strategies for impairment mitigation and simplified Remote Radio Head (RRH) operations through innovative optical heterodyning techniques. Additional progress includes the preliminary development of machine learning-based impairment mitigation for MMW systems and convergent architectures to support reconfigurability and coordination between digital and analog users.
The project’s work on optical resource virtualization has included detailed studies on optical access and orchestration frameworks, identifying key architectures for streamlined operation with Software-Defined Networking (SDN). Efficient optical channel modelling has been developed, supporting dynamic resource management and network dimensioning. Further advancements include the ongoing development of equalization models for coherent Passive Optical Networks (PON) to address critical system impairments and the adaptation of SOTA optical path models to enable resource abstraction and virtualization in multi-flow metro-PON convergence scenarios.
In enabling resource sharing for virtualized RAN (vRAN), EWOC project has focused on dynamic resource management and functional flexibility. This has involved extensive surveys on dynamic functional splits and resource scheduling methodologies, as well as the development of innovative algorithms for TWDM-PON resource allocation using advanced techniques. A physical testbed aligned with O-RAN standards is under development, alongside a system-level simulator that incorporates proportional fair-based scheduling, enabling future validation and refinement of these resource management strategies.
Overall, the EWOC project has made notable progress in tackling the technical challenges of 6G networks. These accomplishments provide a solid foundation for advancing ultra-dense network performance, optimizing optical fronthaul frameworks, enabling efficient resource virtualization, and fostering scalable, flexible vRAN solutions.
In the pursuit of UDC technology, the project has conducted extensive state-of-the-art (SOTA) investigations into network modelling, mobility management, and privacy-preserving techniques. This has included the development of 3D network models using UAV base stations, integration of millimeter-wave (MMW) and terahertz (THz) frequencies for improved coverage and capacity, and advanced beam alignment modelling to address mobility challenges. Additionally, preliminary progress has been made in dynamic blockage modelling to ensure seamless connectivity in dense network environments.
Efforts to design cost-effective and versatile OFH frameworks have led to the following advancements. A comprehensive analysis of enabling technologies guided the conceptualization of modular Software-Defined Transceiver (SDT) reference architectures towards multi-rate, multi-format operations. Experimental implementations validated strategies for impairment mitigation and simplified Remote Radio Head (RRH) operations through innovative optical heterodyning techniques. Additional progress includes the preliminary development of machine learning-based impairment mitigation for MMW systems and convergent architectures to support reconfigurability and coordination between digital and analog users.
The project’s work on optical resource virtualization has included detailed studies on optical access and orchestration frameworks, identifying key architectures for streamlined operation with Software-Defined Networking (SDN). Efficient optical channel modelling has been developed, supporting dynamic resource management and network dimensioning. Further advancements include the ongoing development of equalization models for coherent Passive Optical Networks (PON) to address critical system impairments and the adaptation of SOTA optical path models to enable resource abstraction and virtualization in multi-flow metro-PON convergence scenarios.
In enabling resource sharing for virtualized RAN (vRAN), EWOC project has focused on dynamic resource management and functional flexibility. This has involved extensive surveys on dynamic functional splits and resource scheduling methodologies, as well as the development of innovative algorithms for TWDM-PON resource allocation using advanced techniques. A physical testbed aligned with O-RAN standards is under development, alongside a system-level simulator that incorporates proportional fair-based scheduling, enabling future validation and refinement of these resource management strategies.
Overall, the EWOC project has made notable progress in tackling the technical challenges of 6G networks. These accomplishments provide a solid foundation for advancing ultra-dense network performance, optimizing optical fronthaul frameworks, enabling efficient resource virtualization, and fostering scalable, flexible vRAN solutions.
EWOC has made notable progress in enhancing both the scientific understanding and the implementation of advanced network technologies. Our efforts have provided extensive insights into technology roadmaps, contributing to the development of next-generation communication systems. Key advancements include the identification of strategies for network densification and heterogeneous operation through advanced methodologies for network modelling, mobility, and beam management. Additionally, progress has been made in addressing privacy concerns in relation to the development of intrusion detection systems, as well as in understanding the relationship between system-level performance and key impairments in optical fronthaul networks. These contributions lay a solid foundation for future innovation in high-capacity heterogeneous network scenarios.
Furthermore, the project has progressed towards the development of innovative technologies that enhance transceiver architectures and improve resource coordination. The experimental exploration of candidate optical transceiver architectures and impairment mitigation techniques is paving the way for optimizing optical fronthaul solutions. The development of advanced algorithms for optical resource allocation and frameworks for efficient coordination between digital and analog users is on track to provide valuable advancements in resource optimization for high-capacity networks.
EWOC has also made progress in improving network efficiency by pursuing cost-effective solutions through the exploration of modular frameworks and the development of strategies for beam management, capacity planning, and network densification. By addressing mobility and capacity concerns, EWOC has made progress towards deeper understanding of the economic viability of emerging technologies, such as ultra-dense cells. Moreover, advancements in dynamic scheduling algorithms enable optimized resource allocation in multi-tier network architectures, contributing to improved operational efficiency across various network segments.
Societal impact is another key area where EWOC project is on track to make a positive contribution. By tackling challenges related to scalability, interoperability, and virtualization, the project aims to develop technology enablers towards dense, heterogeneous networks offering high-speed connectivity. Such networks will have broad societal implications, including the potential to support advanced applications with low latency. Furthermore, EWOC's focus on privacy-preserving technologies aims at enhanced user data protection, promoting trust and market adoption. Finally, EWOC’s commitment to sustainable solutions, including energy-efficient architectures and greener infrastructure, supports societal demands for more environmentally sustainable telecommunication systems.
Furthermore, the project has progressed towards the development of innovative technologies that enhance transceiver architectures and improve resource coordination. The experimental exploration of candidate optical transceiver architectures and impairment mitigation techniques is paving the way for optimizing optical fronthaul solutions. The development of advanced algorithms for optical resource allocation and frameworks for efficient coordination between digital and analog users is on track to provide valuable advancements in resource optimization for high-capacity networks.
EWOC has also made progress in improving network efficiency by pursuing cost-effective solutions through the exploration of modular frameworks and the development of strategies for beam management, capacity planning, and network densification. By addressing mobility and capacity concerns, EWOC has made progress towards deeper understanding of the economic viability of emerging technologies, such as ultra-dense cells. Moreover, advancements in dynamic scheduling algorithms enable optimized resource allocation in multi-tier network architectures, contributing to improved operational efficiency across various network segments.
Societal impact is another key area where EWOC project is on track to make a positive contribution. By tackling challenges related to scalability, interoperability, and virtualization, the project aims to develop technology enablers towards dense, heterogeneous networks offering high-speed connectivity. Such networks will have broad societal implications, including the potential to support advanced applications with low latency. Furthermore, EWOC's focus on privacy-preserving technologies aims at enhanced user data protection, promoting trust and market adoption. Finally, EWOC’s commitment to sustainable solutions, including energy-efficient architectures and greener infrastructure, supports societal demands for more environmentally sustainable telecommunication systems.