Periodic Reporting for period 1 - HORSE (Holistic, Omnipresent, Resilient Services for future 6G Wireless and Computing Ecosystems)
Okres sprawozdawczy: 2023-01-01 do 2024-06-30
HORSE project addresses a grand challenge towards 6G infrastructure operation for smart connectivity and service management, and beyond, showing its
effectiveness at the intersection of 6G connectivity, computing infrastructure management and security. HORSE proposes a novel human-centric,
open-source, green, sustainable, coordinated provisioning and protection evolutionary platform, which can inclusively yet seamlessly combine
advancements in several domains, as they get added to the system. HORSE develops functionalities for predictive threats detection and impact analysis,
proactive business-wise threats and breaches mitigation actions, programmable networking, semantic communications, Network Function Virtualisation (NFV),
intent-based networking, AI-based techniques, in-network computing, and cross-layer management of physical layer features as they emerge in the
6G realm.
effectiveness at the intersection of 6G connectivity, computing infrastructure management and security. HORSE proposes a novel human-centric,
open-source, green, sustainable, coordinated provisioning and protection evolutionary platform, which can inclusively yet seamlessly combine
advancements in several domains, as they get added to the system. HORSE develops functionalities for predictive threats detection and impact analysis,
proactive business-wise threats and breaches mitigation actions, programmable networking, semantic communications, Network Function Virtualisation (NFV),
intent-based networking, AI-based techniques, in-network computing, and cross-layer management of physical layer features as they emerge in the
6G realm.
The HORSE Consortium completed the first phase of the project, including System Specifications and Architecture Definition,
and finalized the development of the first version of the modules and first integration of the HORSE architecture.
Due to the complexity of the HORSE architecture, the integration in this first phase will be focused on demonstrating some
"vertical features" of the architecture, rather than the entire HORSE system. In particular, several modules will be integrated
to demonstrate the process of real-time context-awareness and threat detection, the integration of the Network Digital Twins,
the Intent-Based interface, the multi-domain secure orchestration, and the usage of AI/ML to analyze and mitigate threats.
Those functionalities are validated on partners' testbeds developed with HORSE, that allow to replicate the requirements and scenarios
of the HORSE use cases. Based on the outcome of the first iteration of experiments, the HORSE architecture will be updated and
refined, in order to produce the final specification and start the second and final round of implementation, integration and validation.
and finalized the development of the first version of the modules and first integration of the HORSE architecture.
Due to the complexity of the HORSE architecture, the integration in this first phase will be focused on demonstrating some
"vertical features" of the architecture, rather than the entire HORSE system. In particular, several modules will be integrated
to demonstrate the process of real-time context-awareness and threat detection, the integration of the Network Digital Twins,
the Intent-Based interface, the multi-domain secure orchestration, and the usage of AI/ML to analyze and mitigate threats.
Those functionalities are validated on partners' testbeds developed with HORSE, that allow to replicate the requirements and scenarios
of the HORSE use cases. Based on the outcome of the first iteration of experiments, the HORSE architecture will be updated and
refined, in order to produce the final specification and start the second and final round of implementation, integration and validation.
HORSE targets short-, mid- and long-term outcomes. Adoption and sustainability of project results are the major
common denominators for all pathways for impact achievement along several directions.
● Scientific Impact, aiming to ensure Europe is at the forefront of scientific research in Smart Network
and Services (SNS), with focus on specific Stream B objectives that cover research for revolutionary
technology advancements. Given the low Technology Readiness Level (TRL), the consortium will
consider pathways for the adoption of the project outcomes in the long term. The HORSE vision of 6G
networks is formed on many novelties and advancements that will open specific scientific impact
pathways. Besides publications in scientific fora, the consortium will ensure outreach to a more
industrial audience with demonstrations events (e.g. ETI usually organizes at least three important
innovation events per year with invitations to tens of the biggest telco operators, among others),
presentations, blogs and specialised articles, for example about intent-based orchestration functions
aiming to automate the processing, storage and management.
● Technical impact, targeting mainly industry, including SMEs, will follow the path of adoption and
integration of specific components and developments to innovatively improve their traditional methods.
It includes the provisioning of flexible APIs, facilitating their combination via different orchestration
mechanisms at blurring RAN, MEC, Core and Cloud segments, self-configuration and management,
composition methods and predictive orchestration algorithms in terms of trust and risk level.
Furthermore, impact will be achieved by AI-based services. HORSE security vision, in a similar
manner, has a close fusion with AI which leads to security automation. As a part of technical-economic
impact pathway, we plan to explore possibilities of patenting and licensing the technology, besides
drafting of legal documents (e.g. exploitation agreements) that would enable further innovation, as well
as possible commercializations.
● Economic impacts will answer several target stakeholders’ needs, including increased competitiveness
of service providers, end-user independence and avoidance of vendor lock-in, and in ultimate instance
reduced prices of compliant and trusted 6G technologies. Pathway will consider sustainable economic
growth and higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading, and
innovation. In the emerging economy, 6G ecosystems will introduce new stakeholder roles and change
the existing ones. While the Mobile Network Operator (MNO) market dominance is expected to
continue, future 6G connectivity solutions will be driven by new players in the market and the HORSE
project will contribute to a pathway that is targeting in a re-shaping of the existing ecosystems.
Infrastructure sharing system considering a single buyer MNO and multiple seller MNOs will be enabled
and it will also create opportunities for SMEs whose participation in 5G PPP projects has already been
outstanding, exceeding the original objective of 20% participation defined as a KPI of the programme.
● Societal impact: The ubiquitous connectivity and contextual awareness of 6G networks is expected
to promote ICT accessibility and use for the social and economic development of people with specific
needs, including indigenous people and people ans inhabitants of rural areas. Future 6G architectures
will foster digital inclusion and accessibility also unlocking rural economic value and opportunities.
Here we envisage pathways that are supporting key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs), including inclusive and sustainable industrialization and increased resource-use efficiency.
HORSE will contribute to greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and
industrial processes and will make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and
sustainable. It will explore key challenges for the transition from 5G to 6G in a sustainable way,
contributing to several Key Societal Value Indicators (KVIs). Finally, adoption of HORSE results will
also lead to shaping demand in transport and energy sectors, as well as public safety. Pathway towards
societal impact includes general communication and will use explanations and metaphors to reduce
complexity and make technology understandable for general audience, and in this way increase trust and
drive adoption of 6G.
● Policy impact: The HORSE project will contribute to discussion about EU open strategic autonomy and
key strategic objective of “Making Europe the first digitally led circular, climate-neutral and
sustainable economy through the transformation of its mobility, energy, construction and production
systems”. This pathway for policy impact will strive to ensure technological leadership and
strengthening of European capacities by investing in early discovery and industrial uptake of new
technologies.
common denominators for all pathways for impact achievement along several directions.
● Scientific Impact, aiming to ensure Europe is at the forefront of scientific research in Smart Network
and Services (SNS), with focus on specific Stream B objectives that cover research for revolutionary
technology advancements. Given the low Technology Readiness Level (TRL), the consortium will
consider pathways for the adoption of the project outcomes in the long term. The HORSE vision of 6G
networks is formed on many novelties and advancements that will open specific scientific impact
pathways. Besides publications in scientific fora, the consortium will ensure outreach to a more
industrial audience with demonstrations events (e.g. ETI usually organizes at least three important
innovation events per year with invitations to tens of the biggest telco operators, among others),
presentations, blogs and specialised articles, for example about intent-based orchestration functions
aiming to automate the processing, storage and management.
● Technical impact, targeting mainly industry, including SMEs, will follow the path of adoption and
integration of specific components and developments to innovatively improve their traditional methods.
It includes the provisioning of flexible APIs, facilitating their combination via different orchestration
mechanisms at blurring RAN, MEC, Core and Cloud segments, self-configuration and management,
composition methods and predictive orchestration algorithms in terms of trust and risk level.
Furthermore, impact will be achieved by AI-based services. HORSE security vision, in a similar
manner, has a close fusion with AI which leads to security automation. As a part of technical-economic
impact pathway, we plan to explore possibilities of patenting and licensing the technology, besides
drafting of legal documents (e.g. exploitation agreements) that would enable further innovation, as well
as possible commercializations.
● Economic impacts will answer several target stakeholders’ needs, including increased competitiveness
of service providers, end-user independence and avoidance of vendor lock-in, and in ultimate instance
reduced prices of compliant and trusted 6G technologies. Pathway will consider sustainable economic
growth and higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading, and
innovation. In the emerging economy, 6G ecosystems will introduce new stakeholder roles and change
the existing ones. While the Mobile Network Operator (MNO) market dominance is expected to
continue, future 6G connectivity solutions will be driven by new players in the market and the HORSE
project will contribute to a pathway that is targeting in a re-shaping of the existing ecosystems.
Infrastructure sharing system considering a single buyer MNO and multiple seller MNOs will be enabled
and it will also create opportunities for SMEs whose participation in 5G PPP projects has already been
outstanding, exceeding the original objective of 20% participation defined as a KPI of the programme.
● Societal impact: The ubiquitous connectivity and contextual awareness of 6G networks is expected
to promote ICT accessibility and use for the social and economic development of people with specific
needs, including indigenous people and people ans inhabitants of rural areas. Future 6G architectures
will foster digital inclusion and accessibility also unlocking rural economic value and opportunities.
Here we envisage pathways that are supporting key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs), including inclusive and sustainable industrialization and increased resource-use efficiency.
HORSE will contribute to greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and
industrial processes and will make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and
sustainable. It will explore key challenges for the transition from 5G to 6G in a sustainable way,
contributing to several Key Societal Value Indicators (KVIs). Finally, adoption of HORSE results will
also lead to shaping demand in transport and energy sectors, as well as public safety. Pathway towards
societal impact includes general communication and will use explanations and metaphors to reduce
complexity and make technology understandable for general audience, and in this way increase trust and
drive adoption of 6G.
● Policy impact: The HORSE project will contribute to discussion about EU open strategic autonomy and
key strategic objective of “Making Europe the first digitally led circular, climate-neutral and
sustainable economy through the transformation of its mobility, energy, construction and production
systems”. This pathway for policy impact will strive to ensure technological leadership and
strengthening of European capacities by investing in early discovery and industrial uptake of new
technologies.