In this ERC-PoC project, we developed two TRL3 demonstrators for wireless and wired networks to validate our technology. The wireless demonstrator uses a 5G-compliant link-level simulator (LLS) to assess the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH). Built with MATLAB and C code from the Open-Air-Interface (OAI) platform, it features a gNB (base station) with L transmit radio units (TXRU) serving K single-antenna UEs via MU-MIMO. The gNB uses Zero-Forcing (ZF) beamforming to mitigate interference, adhering to 3GPP standards for LDPC and CRC encoding, with coherent detection at the receiver. With LIGHT technology activated, UEs subtract interference by encoding raw bits with transmission parameters and the RNTI (Radio Network Temporary Identifier) of interfering UEs.
The wired demo implements LIGHT's higher-level components (application to network layer) over unicast (TCP) and multicast (UDP) on a Local Area Network (LAN). Written in Python and packaged as Docker containers, it includes server and receiver functionalities for video streaming and memory management. Unicast fills caches, while both unicast and multicast support video delivery. Tested with 2 servers and 12 receivers (laptops and Raspberry Pi devices), the demo achieves over a 3-fold reduction in video delivery data volumes.
At the same time, we have defined the product Requirements Specifications (PRS), to outline the LIGHT design problem, detailing high-level requirements for various applications. This helped establish clear expectations, facilitating consistent work plans and viable contracts with clients. We have also successfully designed and packaged the LIGHT software, including algorithmic modules for real-time data consolidation, cache placement, and the folding algorithm for multiple use cases. In addition, we have provided various tests in diverse settings, including realistic emulations involving OAI modules. Testing focuses on network topology in wired settings and channel randomness in wireless environments. The main target scenarios included basic wired and wireless networks.
We have additionally explored three business use cases for our proposed solution: wired networks (e.g. CDNs), wireless networks (mobile/5G or Wi-Fi), and satellite networks. We focused on the technical feasibility and business value of wired and wireless networks, creating presentations to communicate the technology's benefits and gather insights from potential users and investors.
Part of the market research, we also have participation in industry events like the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2024 and the RIPE88 meeting allowed us to network with key stakeholders and identify potential partners. We established connections with experts in CDN, mobile network, and satellite communication sectors, engaging in discussions with Cloudflare and Nokia, both showing interest in our technology.
For funding acquisition, we are pursuing EU grants through the European Innovation Council (EIC), aiming to develop TRL6 demonstrators for both wired and wireless environments. Additionally, we prepared a business model canvas and a pitch deck for private funding applications to venture capitalists.
We have successfully adapted our original algorithm for MU-MIMO settings, extending its application to various wireless and wired networks. Key achieved milestones include:
• Achieving TRL3 verification with a 300-400% capacity increase compared to optimized state-of-the-art systems, alongside 3-4 times bandwidth reduction.
• Demonstrating a 4x reduction in required antennas (reducing RF chains), substantial energy savings for base stations, and a 4x decrease in channel-feedback overhead.
• Notably, we achieved a two-fold reduction in data volumes while ensuring compatibility with security protocols in a two-server wired network.
• Secured intellectual property for the core algorithm applicable to both wireless and wired networks.
