6GWINET involves a set of objectives (OB) grouped into four major areas:
OB#1 Evaluate the high frequency human exposure scenarios in some scenario settings, and explore their biological effects by tailored in-vitro experiments.
OB#2 Develop new radio architectures that comply with the challenging constraints dictated by the high-frequency spectrum. 6GWINET develops the concept of massive MIMO that evolve toward a user-centric radio architecture and cope with severe attenuation with proper solutions that guarantee a wide coverage for mmW/THz radios without duplicating the access points deployment.
OB#3 Evaluate the solutions for dealing with new massive wireless connectivity and dynamic environment, including vehicular (V2X connectivity) and drones (UAV). Different scenarios need tailored solutions, and the compliance with severe latency and reliability, and 6GWINET goal is to explore the most challenging over the next decade to create a knowledge basis on how to deal with massive device density.
OB#4 Redesign a new concept of network architecture specialised for smart radio environments. New RAN elements must fit into an evolutive end-to-end network managements, and Open RAN architecture. In addition, 6GWINET goal is to frame the major outcomes on AI and distributed optimization methods into the new radio context.
6GWINET is part of Spoke 3 – Wireless Networks and Technologies
Project PI: Umberto Spagnolini
In this context, we are addressing a novel concept of LDPC decoder with a layered scheduling (i.e., RCQ-based decoders). 6GWINET is exploring the cell-free massive MIMO that imply a large distributed antenna system with a high number of antennas per access point.
We also investigated the network concepts linked with smart radio environment. Relay strategy is crucial at high frequency, and drones can act as relays in vehicular applications, focusing on highway scenarios. Another activity is that we delved into the concept of digital twins, creating virtual replicas of the physical environment and vehicles to estimate the channel and compensate for Doppler effects.
We are working on architectural innovations for an Open RAN-based control plane, particularly in a vehicular context. Additionally, we aim to integrate aerial nodes to enhance coverage and address peak mobile traffic demand more efficiently.
Human exposure to electromagnetic fields has been evaluated for new wireless technologies and frequencies. In particular, impact of modulation and bandwidth in under investigation on DNA damage in human cells.
Another of the main contribution in high-frequency B5G/6G systems is the beam alignment, and 6GWINET has developed a new method for passively aiding the beam search and alignment by using a mesh of electromagnetic marker that enable the focusing toward a dynamic evolving vehicle.
Further outcome is on cell-free massive MIMO that is deemed to be a key enabling technology for the 6G physical layer as fruitfully combines network ultra-densification and joint coherent signal processing, Recent progresses has been focused on the study of the downlink spectral efficiency of a two-way cell-free massive MIMO system with few-bit analog-to-digital converters (ADCs).
Industrial/Exploitable:
PdM team of 6GWINET has filed a patent on space-time modulation for metasurfaces, which exploit the temporal modulation to convey information through backscattering thus employing a quasi-passive full-duplex system. Benefit is that this system can reuses the available electromagnetic signals to transmit information without generating new ones, which is remarkable to systems with energy constraints.
Network Controlled Repeater (NCR) is a way to extend the coverage range in mmW/sub-THz systems, 6GWINET has proposed novel topology for extending the NCR coverage. This scientific has an industrial counterpart in the development of a NCR with open-architecture to test different and new network set-ups.
In addition:
Cell-free architectures offer higher data rates and better energy efficiency, reducing network operational costs, driving infrastructure investment, and supporting data-intensive industries' growth.
Advanced vehicular communication technologies using V2V in double near field mmW 5G connectivity (beam collimation in near field) act as an enabler for the augmented perception in autonomous vehicles employing cooperative AI. The paramount sociental benefits are related to the improvent of traffic management, safety, smart transportation and economic sustainability.
Space-Time Modulated Metasurface (STMM) is a disruptive technology for EM information processing that offers an energy-efficient mechanism for harnessing existing EM waves to convey data. Full-duplex with STMM is definitely an innovative and green way of communicate.
papers:
G. Interdonato, and S. Buzzi, ‘Joint Optimization of Uplink Power and Computational Resources in Mobile Edge Computing-Enabled Cell-Free Massive MIMO’, IEEE Transactions on Communications, 2024
This paper explores the integration of cell-free massive MIMO (CF-mMIMO) with Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) through a distributed user-centric approach for radio and computational resource allocation. It formulates a multi-objective optimization problem to balance uplink power minimization and spectral efficiency maximization under constraints. The problem is converted to a single-objective optimization problem and solved using an iterative algorithm. Performance comparisons show the proposed architecture's advantages in power, latency, and offloading efficiency.
M. Mizmizi, D. Tagliaferri, U. Spagnolini", Wireless Communication with Space-Time Modulated Metasurfaces", IEEE Journal of Selected Areas in Communication, 2024
Space-time modulated metasurfaces (STMMs) are emerging for 6G wireless networks, enhancing reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS) by adding time-varying phases to elements. STMMs modulate signals with minimal energy increase, ideal for energy-constrained applications. This paper presents a mathematical model for STMM-based communication, proposing two architectures: one with design flexibility, the other cost-effective. The model highlights space-time coupling and its system impact, demonstrating STMM's potential to revolutionize wireless communication
M. Morini, E. Moro, I. Filippini, A. Capone, D. D. Donno, "Exploring Upper-6GHz and mmWave in Real-World 5G Networks: A Direct on-Field Comparison", Submitted to IEEE Transactions on Mobile Computing, 2024.
The spectrum crunch threatens cellular networks, prompting the inclusion of millimeter wave (mmWave) and Upper 6GHz (U6G) in 3GPP standards. These bands offer untapped spectrum but have propagation challenges. Two 5G networks operating in these bands were deployed at Politecnico di Milano to assess urban performance. This paper presents measurement campaign analyses, showing good indoor/outdoor coverage and throughput. Comparative analysis reveals strengths, weaknesses, and suitability for urban macro coverage.
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche
- Politecnico di Milano
- Politecnico di Torino
- Università di Bologna
- Università di Napoli Federico II
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Telecomunicazioni (CNIT)
- Fondazione Ugo Bordoni
- Vodafone
- Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE)
- Adant Technologies Inc.
- Keysight Technologies Italy Srl
- SIAE Microelettronica S.p.A.
- Space Technology Srl
- Università degli Studi dell'Aquila
- Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli"
- Università degli Studi di Cassino e del Lazio Meridionale
- Università degli Studi di Pisa
- Università degli Studi di Trento
- 6G will be the enabler, or the context, for connected mobility with high rate (>2Gb/s per link), but mobility poses several challengies that 6GWINET will be addressing ranging from beam-control to O-RAN architecture, paper entitled "Advancing O-RAN to Facilitate Intelligence in V2X" (https://arxiv.org/abs/2307.01029) is detailing the fundamentals.
- Space-Time Modulated Metasurface (STMM) is a revolutionary technology that is set to transform the way we transmit information, offering an energy-efficient mechanism that harnesses existing electromagnetic waves to convey data. Imagine a world where communication is not only seamless but also environmentally friendly, thanks to this cutting-edge metasurface. Full-duplex with STMM is definitely an innovative way of communicate. Join us on the journey to a smarter, greener tomorrow! Paper "Wireless communications with space-time modulated metasurfaces" (https://arxiv.org/pdf/2302.08310) is a complete overview.
- Expected: at least 25 publications on 36 months
- Accomplished: 39 papers (13 journal papers, 23 international conference papers and 3 in national)
- Readiness: 100%
- Expected: 30% joint publications on 36 months
- Accomplished: 10 joint publication with multiple affiliations
- Readiness: 100%
- Expected: 10 talks or event chairing/organizing on 36 months
- Accomplished: 6
- Readiness: 60%
- Expected: 4 PoCs expected by the end of the project
- Accomplished: first lab experiments carried out.
- Readiness: 15% (work according to plan) (work according to plan)
- Expected: 2
- Accomplished: 1
- Readiness: 50%
- 12 plenary 6GWINET review meetings and many intra-WP operative meetings
Researchers involved: 300
Collaboration proposals
Digital Twin: Digital physical model in the 6G radio, also known as Digital Twin, is becoming relevant for the contexts where propagation is complex but static, with a dynamic varying component. There is interest in collaborating in this field for mitigation the channel estimation, including all radio functionalities that are affected by this (e.g., Doppler). This involves placing propagation modelling in the processing loop.
O-RAN V2X: Vehicular communications at high frequencies are envisioned to be a breakthrough application for the 6G cellular systems. Traditional RANs lack the flexibility to enable sophisticated control mechanisms that are demanded by the strict performance requirements of the dynamic vehicular environment. In contrast, the features of Open RAN (O-RAN) can be exploited to support advanced use cases. Collaboration on the emerging paradigm of O-RAN represents an ideal framework for the orchestration of vehicular communication, although the high potential stemming from their integration can be easily seen and recognized, the effective combination of the two ecosystems is an open issue.
For any proposal of collaboration within the project please contact the project PI.
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