6G is expected to take the form of a "network of networks", integrating subnetworks of diverse capabilities in terms of operational range, services to be supported, used spectrum. These may include traditional macro/micro/pico-cell networks, along with non-terrestrial networks, campus networks, network of drones. In-X subnetworks are expected to be located at the very end of the 6G "network of networks", to provide high localized and high performance connectivity inside entities such as robots, production modules, vehicles, classrooms. Such short-range subnetworks are expected to bring wireless to a pervasiveness level never experienced earlier, by supporting services and communication requirements beyond what is supported by existing radio technologies.
The 6G-SHINE projects aims at pioneering the main technology components for in-X subnetworks, leveraging the specific characteristics of short-range deployments in industrial, in-vehicle and consumer use cases to support demanding performance requirements in terms of latency, reliability, and data rates.
In particular, the main objectives of the project are the following:
- Define relevant use cases, application scenarios, models and requirements for 6G in-X subnetworks, and their integration into the broader 6G "network of networks"
- Characterize the radio propagation characteristics in the short-range scenarios and frequency bands of interest, considering <10 GHz, mmWave and sub-THz spectrum regions.
- Design novel physical layer, medium access control, radio and computational resource management for these subnetworks, achieving the expected requirements at a lower cost and energy consumption than state-of-the-art technologies.
6G-SHINE is a low technology readiness level (TRL) project, targeting at most a level 4 (technology validated in lab) for selected technology components.
The concepts developed during the project will enrich the scientific literature on short-range wireless communications; also, they will constitute a solid portfolio for the coming 6G standardization work for what concerns design, analysis and evaluation of short-range communication enhancements, addressing an existing gap in the 6G "network of network" vision.
