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.
