Project description
Automated, security-enabling technology to break new ground in 5G networks
Current evolution of 5G technology falls short of requirements for performances and functions envisaged. The EU-funded 5GZORRO project seeks to break this impasse through automated end-to-end network management across multiple operators and providers sharing diverse resources (spectrum, virtualised radio access, virtualised edge/core). The aim is to provide production-level support for distinct software applications within a shared network infrastructure. Artificial intelligence will be deployed to minimise manual intervention, while distributed ledger technologies will enable optimised security and trust systems. These features permit the leveraging of the 5G potential with automated secure network management services for multiple parties. 5GZORRO research has been validated through three case studies. Project partners include key stakeholders from top 5G industry actors across seven EU countries.
Objective
Despite the progress of last years, 5G today is not yet at a stage of complete achievement of the promised performances and functions: different application profiles (eMBB, URLLC, mMTC) do not easily coexist in network slices; slicing is casted in various different forms; network analytics are not at end-to-end scope; services do not span multiple operator domains yet.
5GZORRO consortium envisions the evolution of 5G to achieve truly production-level support of diverse Vertical applications, which coexist on a highly pervasive shared network infrastructure, through automated end-to-end network slicing, across multiple operators and infrastructure/resource providers, who can share heterogeneous types of resources (spectrum, virtualized radio access, virtualized edge/core).
5GZORRO uses distributed Artificial Intelligence (AI) to implement cognitive network orchestration and management with minimal manual intervention (Zero-Touch Automation). Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLT) are adopted to implement flexible and efficient distributed security and trust across the various parties involved in a 5G end-to-end service chain. With these, we can implement an evolved 5G Service Layer for Smart Contracts among multiple non-trusted parties, to allow SLA monitoring, spectrum sharing, intelligent and automated data-driven resource discovery and management. Our cross domain security & trust orchestration coupled with service lifecycle automation can enforce security policies in multi-tenant and multi-stakeholder environments.
Three use cases validate our research in 5GBarcelona and 5TONIC/Madrid test facilities: Smart Contracts for Ubiquitous Computing/Connectivity, Dynamic Spectrum Allocation, Pervasive virtual CDNs over 3rd-party edge resources.
5GZORRO target stakeholders are telecom operators, vertical slice owners/operators, spectrum owners, regulators, passive/ active facility owners, many of which are in our consortium of 13 top 5G players from 7 different EU countries.
Fields of science
- natural sciencescomputer and information sciencesartificial intelligence
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringinformation engineeringtelecommunicationstelecommunications networksmobile network5G
- social sciencessociologyindustrial relationsautomation
Keywords
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinator
08034 Barcelona
Spain