Periodic Reporting for period 1 - IRAM (Intelligent New Radio Access Network: Deployment and Management)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2023-06-01 al 2025-05-31
The project is driven by the need to transform mobile networks in response to the growing demands of the fourth industrial revolution. Technologies such as the Internet of Everything (IoE), digital twins, and autonomous systems are generating massive volumes of mobile traffic, pushing existing radio access networks (RANs) to their limits. The project specifically targets the Next-Generation RAN (NG-RAN) infrastructure enhancement, with emphasis on integrating Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) nodes—an emerging paradigm expected to play a pivotal role in realizing cost-effective and flexible 6G rollouts. IRAM tackles two fundamental and interrelated challenges: the first is autonomous network planning and control, which removes the dependence on human-driven, static planning in dynamic, heterogeneous environments. The second is the problem of reliable mmWave backhauling, which is essential for sustaining high data rates and low latency in dense network topologies but remains fragile under blockage, mobility, and environmental variations.
IRAM situates itself within the broader strategic vision of digital sovereignty, energy-efficient networking, and sustainable infrastructure promoted by the European 6G roadmap. By developing self-managing radio architectures, the project supports key European goals in terms of digital inclusion, technological autonomy, energy efficiency and Ubiquitous connectivity. While not focused directly on social sciences or humanities, the project addresses societal inclusion and digital equity implicitly by enabling more scalable and affordable network access—key pillars in the broader socio-technical transformation driven by future 6G systems.
IRAM situates itself within the broader strategic vision of digital sovereignty, energy-efficient networking, and sustainable infrastructure promoted by the European 6G roadmap. By developing self-managing radio architectures, the project supports key European goals in terms of digital inclusion, technological autonomy, energy efficiency and Ubiquitous connectivity. While not focused directly on social sciences or humanities, the project addresses societal inclusion and digital equity implicitly by enabling more scalable and affordable network access—key pillars in the broader socio-technical transformation driven by future 6G systems.
The project tackled two tightly coupled technical challenges. First, we developed unsupervised and dynamic monitoring techniques for configuring dense deployments of IAB nodes. These methods aimed to foster closed-loop and adaptive network monitoring while optimizing RAN configuration based on traffic patterns, topological changes, and environmental constraints. This work emphasized "zero-touch" operation, minimizing the need for manual intervention and enabling faster, more adaptive deployment.
Second, we tackled the problem of ensuring reliable backhauling and fronthauling over millimeter-wave (mmWave) wireless links. Since mmWave transmissions are highly sensitive to blockage, require line-of-sight, and are commonly known for their unstable channel quality, we developed a comprehensive study targeting reliable communication for mobile and randomly oriented devices. This involved low-cost beam steering techniques and low-overhead coherent communication methods.
Throughout the project, we combined theoretical analysis (drawing from information theory, random network theory, and game theory) with experimental validation and simulation. Several key results emerged. We established closed-loop network monitoring techniques and automated control mechanisms based on network tasks and objectives. Furthermore, we developed a rate–efficiency trade-off model for mmWave frequency multipliers; validated the temporal and spatial stability of mmWave angles of arrival (AoAs); implemented robust fingerprint-based beamforming for non-line-of-sight (NLOS) environments; and designed beam codebooks for mobile mmWave devices with random orientations.
Out of the work conducted, the fellow has published eight papers in top-tier conferences and journals. He has given five presentations across three international conferences.
Second, we tackled the problem of ensuring reliable backhauling and fronthauling over millimeter-wave (mmWave) wireless links. Since mmWave transmissions are highly sensitive to blockage, require line-of-sight, and are commonly known for their unstable channel quality, we developed a comprehensive study targeting reliable communication for mobile and randomly oriented devices. This involved low-cost beam steering techniques and low-overhead coherent communication methods.
Throughout the project, we combined theoretical analysis (drawing from information theory, random network theory, and game theory) with experimental validation and simulation. Several key results emerged. We established closed-loop network monitoring techniques and automated control mechanisms based on network tasks and objectives. Furthermore, we developed a rate–efficiency trade-off model for mmWave frequency multipliers; validated the temporal and spatial stability of mmWave angles of arrival (AoAs); implemented robust fingerprint-based beamforming for non-line-of-sight (NLOS) environments; and designed beam codebooks for mobile mmWave devices with random orientations.
Out of the work conducted, the fellow has published eight papers in top-tier conferences and journals. He has given five presentations across three international conferences.
The project has delivered novel algorithms for automated RAN management and monitoring, along with robust solutions for high-capacity and reliable mmWave wireless links. These results go beyond the state of the art by addressing the unique challenges of dynamic network topologies, IAB-specific constraints, and control under uncertainty. Unlike conventional static configurations, the proposed methods are adaptive, scalable, and zero-touch, making them suitable for dense and self-organizing NG-RAN deployments. Several outcomes have been experimentally validated in collaboration with a partner institute, using an open-air interface that is compatible with the 3GPP standard.
The research has not only advanced scientific knowledge but also contributed significantly to career development. The results and technical depth of the IRAM project were instrumental in securing a tenure-track faculty position at Sabancı University, highlighting the fellow’s capacity to lead high-impact, implementation-oriented research. Furthermore, the project catalyzed collaboration with TÜBİTAK BİLGEM and fostered international academic connections, including joint initiatives with institutions such as Texas A&M University.
The research has not only advanced scientific knowledge but also contributed significantly to career development. The results and technical depth of the IRAM project were instrumental in securing a tenure-track faculty position at Sabancı University, highlighting the fellow’s capacity to lead high-impact, implementation-oriented research. Furthermore, the project catalyzed collaboration with TÜBİTAK BİLGEM and fostered international academic connections, including joint initiatives with institutions such as Texas A&M University.