Periodic Reporting for period 1 - Hexa-X-II (A holistic flagship towards the 6G network platform and system, to inspire digital transformation, for the world to act together in meeting needs in society and ecosystems with novel 6G services)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2023-01-01 al 2023-12-31
The Smart Network and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU) 6G Flagship project Hexa-X-II leads the way to the end-to-end (E2E) system design (based on integrated and interacting technology enablers) and the enabling platform delivering novel services for the next generation (6G) of wireless networks. The project continues on the tracks of the Horizon Europe project Hexa-X, which has laid the foundation for the global communication network of the 2030s by developing the 6G vision and basic concepts, including candidate key technology enablers. The work in Hexa-X-II expands from research to systemization analysis, early validation, and proof of concept. It progresses from the 6G key enablers that connect the human, physical, and digital worlds to advanced technology readiness – validated technology – including key aspects of modules, protocols and interfaces, and data. Hexa-X-II is set to create a system blueprint of the sustainable, inclusive, and trustworthy 6G platform that should meet the future needs of serving and transforming society and business.
Hexa-X-II project has progressed well during the period as planned both in terms of technical achievements as well as administration activities.
All planned deliverables have come out as scheduled and through quality ensuring review process. Additional content needed for set milestones has been provided n due time and with high quality.
Global direction for 6G has been given by output from WP1 on use cases and requirements and other drivers via the published deliverables:
D1.1 Environmental, societal and economical drivers and goals for 6G
D1.2 6G use cases and requirements
E2E system blueprint has been created step by step via the WP2 deliverables resulting in
D2.2 Foundation of overall 6G system design and preliminary evaluation results
Other WPs have all been reaching their target outputs via their deliverables and interacting with each other and contributing to the E2E system blueprint:
D3.2 Initial Architectural enablers
D4.2 Radio Design and Spectrum Access requirements and key enablers for 6G Evolution
D5.2 Characteristics and classification of 6G device classes
D6.2 Foundations on 6G Smart Network Management and Orchestration Enablers
All planned deliverables have come out as scheduled and through quality ensuring review process. Additional content needed for set milestones has been provided n due time and with high quality.
Global direction for 6G has been given by output from WP1 on use cases and requirements and other drivers via the published deliverables:
D1.1 Environmental, societal and economical drivers and goals for 6G
D1.2 6G use cases and requirements
E2E system blueprint has been created step by step via the WP2 deliverables resulting in
D2.2 Foundation of overall 6G system design and preliminary evaluation results
Other WPs have all been reaching their target outputs via their deliverables and interacting with each other and contributing to the E2E system blueprint:
D3.2 Initial Architectural enablers
D4.2 Radio Design and Spectrum Access requirements and key enablers for 6G Evolution
D5.2 Characteristics and classification of 6G device classes
D6.2 Foundations on 6G Smart Network Management and Orchestration Enablers
WP1 has worked on developing the 6G use cases and evaluating the sustainability imperatives for the 6G system. With a thorough state-of-the-art analysis, the use cases have consolidated to a set of six use case families which are being used as baseline for the joint European input towards the 3GPP SA1 use case workshop in May 2024. These use cases will form the foundation for the standardization and development of 6G.
Hexa-X-II emphasizes the role of sustainability in the R&D phase of 6G, broadening its scope beyond just energy efficiency. It aims to define the scope and identify crucial aspects, focusing on minimizing environmental impact and resource use while addressing social concerns like privacy and cybersecurity as well as considering malicious use of 6G. Economic sustainability entails exploring new business landscapes and ensuring ROI. Further research is needed to demonstrate technical feasibility, societal trade-offs, and regulatory adherence to sustainability goals in the 6G ecosystem.
WP2 has created an E2E blueprint of the 6G system. In addition, the WP has been working on technical enablers related to the protocol and radio interface, E2E-service management, system-level security aspects, as well as to develop a system level proof-of-concept.
The E2E blueprint will be used to consolidate the work on 6G towards the most relevant components and enablers, whereas the radio access solution, E2E management and security solutions may be brought to external forums or standardization.
The system level proof of concept will consist of three iterations. The first iteration (in year 1) showcased a demo of management and orchestration of collaborative robots, integrating aspects of intent-based management. Further iterations will integrate aspects of flexible topologies, computational offloading, sensing, and prototype 6G devices.
WP3 develops and evaluates architectural enablers that can simplify or enhance the network performance, as well as support the existing and new envisioned 6G services. This includes data-driven architecture, network modularization, flexible network topology, beyond communication networks, and virtualization and cloud transformation.
The data-driven architecture, network modularization, flexible topology, and cloud transformation aims to see how the network can be deployed and operated more efficiently, whereas the beyond communication looks at how the envisioned new 6G services can be introduced and supported. These solutions developed will need continuing research before seeing their impact, both among the project partners, but also in the research community at large.
WP4 is developing 6G radio solutions. This includes the radio design, solutions for sub-THz communication, radio solutions for joint communication and sensing (JCAS), integration of AI/ML in the PHY layer, as well as flexible spectrum access solutions.
For the 6G radio design, Hexa-X-II has developed solutions for flexible and sustainable designs, while for the sub-THz communication, since the sub-THz frequency bands were not prioritised during WRC’23, the impact of these studies will likely come at a later stage. It is expected that WRC’27 will identify the sub-THz bands for study, and these would become relevant for allocation during WRC’31.
For JCAS, Hexa-X-II is exploring solutions for how to repurpose the radio interface to act as both a communication link and a radar. The impact of JCAS will hinge on whether compelling use cases can be introduced that can bring substantial benefits compared to competing solutions.
For AI for PHY, Hexa-X-II is exploring many aspects for improved transmission, reception, or joint transmission and reception. As the topic of AI is rapidly developing, the impact of these studies may be brought to standardization by the project partners.
For flexible spectrum access, Hexa-X-II is evaluating the possibilities of spectrum sharing between terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks (TN/NTN) and multi-RAT spectrum sharing (MRSS) between 5G and 6G. The TN/NTN spectrum sharing will have significant impact, as NTN are expected to be an integral part of the 6G networks. Similarly, MRSS will be a fundamental feature in 6G to allow a smooth migration from 5G to 6G, to dynamically reallocate spectrum between 5G and 6G RAN as needed.
WP5 has developed the definitions for the 6G device classes with four new classes: Energy-neutral devices; Reliable high data rate with bounded latency devices; Highly reliable low latency devices; Enhancements of mMTC devices.
WP6 has been working with smart network management enablers, including programmable networks, integration fabric, multi-cloud management, sustainable and trustworthy AI as well as network digital twins and zero touch closed loop governance. These concepts aim to improve the network operations through integration of AI/ML.
Hexa-X-II emphasizes the role of sustainability in the R&D phase of 6G, broadening its scope beyond just energy efficiency. It aims to define the scope and identify crucial aspects, focusing on minimizing environmental impact and resource use while addressing social concerns like privacy and cybersecurity as well as considering malicious use of 6G. Economic sustainability entails exploring new business landscapes and ensuring ROI. Further research is needed to demonstrate technical feasibility, societal trade-offs, and regulatory adherence to sustainability goals in the 6G ecosystem.
WP2 has created an E2E blueprint of the 6G system. In addition, the WP has been working on technical enablers related to the protocol and radio interface, E2E-service management, system-level security aspects, as well as to develop a system level proof-of-concept.
The E2E blueprint will be used to consolidate the work on 6G towards the most relevant components and enablers, whereas the radio access solution, E2E management and security solutions may be brought to external forums or standardization.
The system level proof of concept will consist of three iterations. The first iteration (in year 1) showcased a demo of management and orchestration of collaborative robots, integrating aspects of intent-based management. Further iterations will integrate aspects of flexible topologies, computational offloading, sensing, and prototype 6G devices.
WP3 develops and evaluates architectural enablers that can simplify or enhance the network performance, as well as support the existing and new envisioned 6G services. This includes data-driven architecture, network modularization, flexible network topology, beyond communication networks, and virtualization and cloud transformation.
The data-driven architecture, network modularization, flexible topology, and cloud transformation aims to see how the network can be deployed and operated more efficiently, whereas the beyond communication looks at how the envisioned new 6G services can be introduced and supported. These solutions developed will need continuing research before seeing their impact, both among the project partners, but also in the research community at large.
WP4 is developing 6G radio solutions. This includes the radio design, solutions for sub-THz communication, radio solutions for joint communication and sensing (JCAS), integration of AI/ML in the PHY layer, as well as flexible spectrum access solutions.
For the 6G radio design, Hexa-X-II has developed solutions for flexible and sustainable designs, while for the sub-THz communication, since the sub-THz frequency bands were not prioritised during WRC’23, the impact of these studies will likely come at a later stage. It is expected that WRC’27 will identify the sub-THz bands for study, and these would become relevant for allocation during WRC’31.
For JCAS, Hexa-X-II is exploring solutions for how to repurpose the radio interface to act as both a communication link and a radar. The impact of JCAS will hinge on whether compelling use cases can be introduced that can bring substantial benefits compared to competing solutions.
For AI for PHY, Hexa-X-II is exploring many aspects for improved transmission, reception, or joint transmission and reception. As the topic of AI is rapidly developing, the impact of these studies may be brought to standardization by the project partners.
For flexible spectrum access, Hexa-X-II is evaluating the possibilities of spectrum sharing between terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks (TN/NTN) and multi-RAT spectrum sharing (MRSS) between 5G and 6G. The TN/NTN spectrum sharing will have significant impact, as NTN are expected to be an integral part of the 6G networks. Similarly, MRSS will be a fundamental feature in 6G to allow a smooth migration from 5G to 6G, to dynamically reallocate spectrum between 5G and 6G RAN as needed.
WP5 has developed the definitions for the 6G device classes with four new classes: Energy-neutral devices; Reliable high data rate with bounded latency devices; Highly reliable low latency devices; Enhancements of mMTC devices.
WP6 has been working with smart network management enablers, including programmable networks, integration fabric, multi-cloud management, sustainable and trustworthy AI as well as network digital twins and zero touch closed loop governance. These concepts aim to improve the network operations through integration of AI/ML.