Deliverable D2.1 - Ecosystem analysis and 6G-SANDBOX facility design

This document provides a comprehensive overview of the core aspects of the 6G-SANDBOX project. It outlines the project's vision, objectives, and the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Key Value Indicators (KVIs) targeted for achievement. The functional and non-functional requirements of the 6G-SANDBOX Facility are extensively presented, based on a proposed reference blueprint. A detailed description of the updated reference architecture of the facility is provided, considering the requirements outlined. The document explores the experimentation framework, including the lifecycle of experiments and the methodology for validating KPIs and KVIs. It presents the key technologies and use case enablers towards 6G that will be offered within the trial networks. Each of the platforms constituting the 6G-SANDBOX Facility is described, along with the necessary enhancements to align them with the project's vision in terms of hardware, software updates, and functional improvements

Top Challenges in 5G Densification

Part 1: 6th Workshop on “5G – Putting Intelligence to the Network Edge” (5G-PINE 2021)International audienceThe current report attempts to explore the top challenges that the MNOs need to overcome during 5G deployment in highly dense populated areas. Indicatively, the MNOs are warned about site acquisition challenges and electrification/energy related needs for a huge number of sites that shall be installed discretely at street level, the demand for rigorous testing and measurements to ensure full network coverage and always-on operation so that even mission critical applications (such as automotive and e-health apps) are enabled, accompanied by associated cost factors. Provided that at the time of writing (beg/2021) little is the worldwide experience from operating 5G networks, potential actions are suggested towards a smooth and efficient short time-to-market 5G deployment. In addition, indicative 5G densification related figures (e.g. amount of h/w nodes and distances among them), are calculated based on a specific FiWi PtMP network solution aiming at supporting the ultra-broadband 5G NR fronthaul bandwidth, while alleviating the need to install fiber terminations at every Base Station site

Demonstration of a Hybrid Analog–Digital Transport System Architecture for 5G and Beyond Networks

In future mobile networks, the evolution of optical transport architectures enabling the flexible, scalable interconnection of Baseband Units (BBUs) and Radio Units (RUs) with heterogeneous interfaces is a significant issue. In this paper, we propose a multi-technology hybrid transport architecture that comprises both analog and digital-Radio over Fiber (RoF) mobile network segments relying on a dynamically reconfigurable optical switching node. As a step forward, the integration of the discussed network layout into an existing mobile infrastructure is demonstrated, enabling the support of real-world services through both standard digital and Analog–Intermediate- Frequency over Fiber (A-IFoF)-based converged fiber–wireless paths. Emphasis has been placed on the implementation of a real-time A-IFoF transceiver that is employed through a single embedded fully programmable gateway array (FPGA)-based platform that serves as an Ethernet to Intermediate Frequency (IF) bridge for the transmission of legacy traffic over the analog network segment. The experimental evaluation of the proposed concept was based on the dynamic optical routing of the legacy Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI), 1.5 GBaud analog-intermediate frequency-over-fiber (A-IFoF)/mmWave and 10 Gbps binary optical waveforms, showing acceptable error vector magnitude (EVM) values for the complex radio waveforms and error-free operation for binary optical streams, with Bit Error Rate (BER) values less than 10−9. Finally, the end-to-end proof-of-concept demonstration of the proposed solution was achieved through the delivery of 4K video streaming and Internet Protocol (IP) calls over a mobile core network

5G-VICTORI: Future Railway Communications Requirements Driving 5G Deployments in Railways

Part 1: 6th Workshop on “5G – Putting Intelligence to the Network Edge” (5G-PINE 2021)International audienceThe complete transformation of the ICT domain driven by 5G network principles and capabilities, will impact significantly the path towards digitalization of many vertical industries, with modern railway transportations being one of them. In this context, Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS) service requirements and system principles are very well mapped to 5G service and network concepts associated with network performance, technology neutrality at various levels as well as network planning and deployment options. However, the flexibility of 5G networks implies that concepts are pinned down to deployment paradigms so that afore assertions are proved. The 5G-PPP project 5G-VICTORI aims at delivering a complete 5G solution suitable for railway environments and FRMCS services, along with experimentation deployments for testing and evaluation in operational railway environments. This paper discusses the service Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and technical requirements and provides an overview of the proposed experimental deployment in an operational railway environment in the area of Patras, Greece