Periodic Reporting for period 1 - ORIGAMI (Optimized resource integration and global architecture for mobile infrastructure for 6G)
Berichtszeitraum: 2024-01-01 bis 2025-06-30
The ORIGAMI project is a pioneering research and innovation initiative aimed at designing a comprehensive and sustainable architecture for the upcoming sixth-generation (6G) of mobile networks. ORIGAMI confronts the fundamental challenges that could impede the transition to a globally interconnected, intelligent, and affordable 6G ecosystem:
Barrier #1: Unsustainable RAN Virtualization.
Barrier #2: Poor Interoperability of RAN Components.
Barrier #3: High Latency and Unreliable Network Intelligence (NI).
Barrier #4: Under-utilized Programmable Transport.
Barrier #5: Lack of Global Service APIs.
Barrier #6: Obsolete Trust Models.
Barrier #7: Inadequate Networking Data Representation.
Barrier #8: High Control-Plane Signaling Volume.
To dismantle these barriers, ORIGAMI's central objective is to design, develop, and validate a novel, cross-plane network architecture. This vision is built upon three key architectural innovations:
* Global Service-Based Architecture (GSBA): Evolving beyond 5G's Service-Based Architecture (SBA), the GSBA aims to create a unified "network of networks."
* Compute Continuum Layer (CCL): The CCL is an innovative abstraction layer that efficiently manages and orchestrates a diverse and distributed pool of computing resources, from standard CPUs and GPUs to specialized hardware like FPGAs and even quantum processors.
* Zero-Trust Exposure Layer (ZTL): To break free from obsolete and inefficient trust models, this framework operates on the principle of "never trust, always verify," enabling secure interactions between network operators, service providers, and end-users without requiring pre-established trust agreements.
ORIGAMI’s strategy for achieving its objectives and delivering impact follows a structured, multi-stage methodology:
* Use Case Definition: For each of the eight barriers, the project defines specific use cases that represent concrete problems to be solved (23 use cases in total for P1)
* Network Intelligence (NI) Design: Each use case is addressed by one or more NI solutions. These are intelligent algorithms and functions, often based on AI/ML, that leverage the ORIGAMI architecture to automate and optimize network operations.
* Evaluation and Validation: The performance of these NI solutions is rigorously validated against a comprehensive set of KPIs and KVIs.
Barrier #1: Unsustainable RAN Virtualization.
Barrier #2: Poor Interoperability of RAN Components.
Barrier #3: High Latency and Unreliable Network Intelligence (NI).
Barrier #4: Under-utilized Programmable Transport.
Barrier #5: Lack of Global Service APIs.
Barrier #6: Obsolete Trust Models.
Barrier #7: Inadequate Networking Data Representation.
Barrier #8: High Control-Plane Signaling Volume.
To dismantle these barriers, ORIGAMI's central objective is to design, develop, and validate a novel, cross-plane network architecture. This vision is built upon three key architectural innovations:
* Global Service-Based Architecture (GSBA): Evolving beyond 5G's Service-Based Architecture (SBA), the GSBA aims to create a unified "network of networks."
* Compute Continuum Layer (CCL): The CCL is an innovative abstraction layer that efficiently manages and orchestrates a diverse and distributed pool of computing resources, from standard CPUs and GPUs to specialized hardware like FPGAs and even quantum processors.
* Zero-Trust Exposure Layer (ZTL): To break free from obsolete and inefficient trust models, this framework operates on the principle of "never trust, always verify," enabling secure interactions between network operators, service providers, and end-users without requiring pre-established trust agreements.
ORIGAMI’s strategy for achieving its objectives and delivering impact follows a structured, multi-stage methodology:
* Use Case Definition: For each of the eight barriers, the project defines specific use cases that represent concrete problems to be solved (23 use cases in total for P1)
* Network Intelligence (NI) Design: Each use case is addressed by one or more NI solutions. These are intelligent algorithms and functions, often based on AI/ML, that leverage the ORIGAMI architecture to automate and optimize network operations.
* Evaluation and Validation: The performance of these NI solutions is rigorously validated against a comprehensive set of KPIs and KVIs.
Main achievements organized by the project's core technical objectives are:
* Objective 1: Evolving the Mobile System Architecture
Significant achievements: (i) Detailed design of the GSBA, which extends the 5G Service-Based Architecture to create a unified, multi-domain framework. This was advanced by proposing a functional split of the Radio Access Network's (RAN) Distributed Unit (DU) into control and user plane components, enhancing interoperability across traditionally siloed domains Ii) detailed design of the CCL , as a sophisticated abstraction layer to manage a wide array of heterogeneous computing resources, from standard CPUs and GPUs to quantum processors and (iii) Detailed design of the ZTL, aimed to modernize obsolete trust models (Barrier #6), is a security framework operating on a "never trust, always verify" principle.
* Objective 2: Designing Advanced Network Intelligence (NI)
Significant achievements: Developed a novel 6G architecture by designing a suite of advanced Network Intelligence solutions addressing critical, high-impact challenges. For example, in the RAN domain, the project designed and validated CloudRIC, an NI solution for sustainable vRANs (Barrier #1)). By coordinating heterogeneous computing resources, CloudRIC ensures 99.999% reliability for processing deadlines while demonstrating experimental gains of up to a 6x improvement in energy efficiency and a 40x improvement in cost efficiency. Another example for the Transport Network: the project addressed the under-utilization of programmable hardware (Barrier #4) by developing DUNE (Distributed User-plane INference).
* Objective 3: Enabling Global Service Deployment and Automation
Significant achievements: (i) For global operations and trust (Barriers #5 and #6), the GMNO-1 use case produced the design for NOMADIX, a nomadic User Plane Function (UPF) with separated control and data planes. This allows the data-forwarding component to be dynamically deployed in the cloud close to the end-user, delivering a local-like performance experience for roaming users. This, combined with the DICE protocol, provides a powerful technical foundation for a new generation of global operators. (ii) To tackle inadequate data representation (Barrier #7), the KR use case successfully leveraged Large Language Models (LLMs) to process and classify network incident tickets, automating the extraction of structured knowledge from unstructured text. To reduce control-plane overhead (Barrier #8), the NCAM use case analyzed the performance of a Service Communication Proxy (SCP) within a service mesh architecture. Experimental validation demonstrated that this model reduces signaling traffic from key network functions by up to 39% compared to traditional direct communication, confirming a path to a more scalable and efficient 6G core.
* Objective 1: Evolving the Mobile System Architecture
Significant achievements: (i) Detailed design of the GSBA, which extends the 5G Service-Based Architecture to create a unified, multi-domain framework. This was advanced by proposing a functional split of the Radio Access Network's (RAN) Distributed Unit (DU) into control and user plane components, enhancing interoperability across traditionally siloed domains Ii) detailed design of the CCL , as a sophisticated abstraction layer to manage a wide array of heterogeneous computing resources, from standard CPUs and GPUs to quantum processors and (iii) Detailed design of the ZTL, aimed to modernize obsolete trust models (Barrier #6), is a security framework operating on a "never trust, always verify" principle.
* Objective 2: Designing Advanced Network Intelligence (NI)
Significant achievements: Developed a novel 6G architecture by designing a suite of advanced Network Intelligence solutions addressing critical, high-impact challenges. For example, in the RAN domain, the project designed and validated CloudRIC, an NI solution for sustainable vRANs (Barrier #1)). By coordinating heterogeneous computing resources, CloudRIC ensures 99.999% reliability for processing deadlines while demonstrating experimental gains of up to a 6x improvement in energy efficiency and a 40x improvement in cost efficiency. Another example for the Transport Network: the project addressed the under-utilization of programmable hardware (Barrier #4) by developing DUNE (Distributed User-plane INference).
* Objective 3: Enabling Global Service Deployment and Automation
Significant achievements: (i) For global operations and trust (Barriers #5 and #6), the GMNO-1 use case produced the design for NOMADIX, a nomadic User Plane Function (UPF) with separated control and data planes. This allows the data-forwarding component to be dynamically deployed in the cloud close to the end-user, delivering a local-like performance experience for roaming users. This, combined with the DICE protocol, provides a powerful technical foundation for a new generation of global operators. (ii) To tackle inadequate data representation (Barrier #7), the KR use case successfully leveraged Large Language Models (LLMs) to process and classify network incident tickets, automating the extraction of structured knowledge from unstructured text. To reduce control-plane overhead (Barrier #8), the NCAM use case analyzed the performance of a Service Communication Proxy (SCP) within a service mesh architecture. Experimental validation demonstrated that this model reduces signaling traffic from key network functions by up to 39% compared to traditional direct communication, confirming a path to a more scalable and efficient 6G core.
The project has delivered a set of key exploitable results (KERs) that are ready for further development. These include:
* Architectural Frameworks: The complete initial designs of the GSBA, CCL, and ZTL serve as foundational blueprints for a next-generation network.
* High-Impact NI Solutions: Specific, validated prototypes such as CloudRIC for vRAN, DUNE for programmable transport, and NOMADIX/DICE for global services represent concrete solutions to pressing industry problems.
* Patents and IPR: The project has filed multiple patents on key innovations, including energy efficiency features for O-RAN and RAN virtualization techniques, securing the commercial advantage of its partners.
Multi-faceted impact on the telecommunications ecosystem:
* Economic Impact: By significantly improving energy and cost efficiency, the project's solutions can dramatically reduce both CAPEX and OPEX for network operators. Furthermore, the ZTL and the global operator models it enables can create new markets for connectivity services.
* Environmental Impact: The strong focus on energy efficiency directly addresses the growing concern over the carbon footprint of network infrastructure. Solutions like KAIROS (30% power savings in RUs) and the overall optimization enabled by the CCL contribute to a more sustainable and "green" 6G.
* Societal Impact: By enabling more affordable and flexible network deployments, ORIGAMI's architecture can help bridge the digital divide. The ZTL's emphasis on security and privacy also enhances user trust.
* Architectural Frameworks: The complete initial designs of the GSBA, CCL, and ZTL serve as foundational blueprints for a next-generation network.
* High-Impact NI Solutions: Specific, validated prototypes such as CloudRIC for vRAN, DUNE for programmable transport, and NOMADIX/DICE for global services represent concrete solutions to pressing industry problems.
* Patents and IPR: The project has filed multiple patents on key innovations, including energy efficiency features for O-RAN and RAN virtualization techniques, securing the commercial advantage of its partners.
Multi-faceted impact on the telecommunications ecosystem:
* Economic Impact: By significantly improving energy and cost efficiency, the project's solutions can dramatically reduce both CAPEX and OPEX for network operators. Furthermore, the ZTL and the global operator models it enables can create new markets for connectivity services.
* Environmental Impact: The strong focus on energy efficiency directly addresses the growing concern over the carbon footprint of network infrastructure. Solutions like KAIROS (30% power savings in RUs) and the overall optimization enabled by the CCL contribute to a more sustainable and "green" 6G.
* Societal Impact: By enabling more affordable and flexible network deployments, ORIGAMI's architecture can help bridge the digital divide. The ZTL's emphasis on security and privacy also enhances user trust.