6G-Reference contributes to European leadership in microelectronic solutions for 6G communications and sensing infrastructure and develops hardware enablers for cell-free deployment.
6G hardware enablers for the Self-Free Coherent Communication & Sensing (6G-Reference) project target the hardware innovation of radio units, enabling systems that are 6G densely distributed for high data rates and sensing. 6G networks should include integrated sensing and communications, from chemical and physical sensing to localization and positioning.
To allow for flexible deployment, fiber optic access can be used with several wireless unit access points without a hitch. Synchronization of airborne frequencies and time becomes a critical issue. Data capacity needs to be improved. It also supports distributed sensing capabilities for the complete Internet of Things, which allow machines and robots to sense the environment through physical and chemical sensors and integrate full radar functions using the same hardware.
It is important to realize all of this functionality with practical hardware with low complexity, cost and power consumption. The same hardware solution must be reused for sensing and communications to achieve sustainable wireless design. The 6G-Reference Consortium believes this is possible by utilizing the CM wave 10-15GHz spectrum.
Therefore, this project has five goals.
Transceiver CM-Wave Radio Frequency Hardware Innovation Data Capacity and Scheduling Issues for distributed multi-input multi-output systems. A new solution for accurate over-the-air frequency, phase synchronization, and time synchronization. This not only supports large data rate communications, but also allows for high resolution timing, allowing for accurate localization, positioning and sensing. New RF and antenna components that provide expanded spatial and frequency domain selection capabilities with reduced complexity, cost, and energy consumption. Hardware integrated circuit solutions offer complexity, low cost and low power consumption. Sustainable wireless design by using the same chips for communication and sensing, from physical and chemicals to radar. Coexistence with existing services in the 10-15GHz range. This is because it not only provides new spectrum opportunities, but also effectively balances the advantages and disadvantages of sub-6GHz and MM wave solutions. The rather unique feature of 6G-Reference focuses on the frequency range 3 (FR3), which is already receiving strong industrial interest, including the 3GPP research item.
Use Cases
In urban areas, 6G must rely on sustainable solutions to address growing traffic demand and population density, providing disruptive capabilities such as the realization of the Internet of Things. The solution envisaged by the 6G Reference consists of ultra-density cell-free deployment and CM wave sensing for joint coherent communications. This balances the advantages of sub-6GHz (e.g., reduced path loss) and MM waves (e.g., wide bandwidth).
These systems face five fundamental challenges:
The need for accurate synchronization between distributed radio units. Fronthaul data distribution. Integrated sensing functions. Low complexity/cost/consumption radio. 6g-reference develops integrated circuit and antenna component solutions that address all of them.
Frequency/time synchronization circuits leverage recent innovations to explore new architectures with faster synchronization. Efficient full-duplex Fronthaul data distribution between cascaded radio units is considered, allowing for integrated single-stat radar sensing. In addition to these, in the sensing domain, 6G explores environmental sensors integrated into antenna estate, reuses the synchronization framework for accurate localization, and develops new antenna array solutions based on recent innovations in modulation arrays.
Finally, dynamic IF and antenna filtering are investigated to enable efficient spectral coexistence schemes. The ultimate goal of 6G-Reference is to develop hardware enablers that could constitute reference designs for future 6G distributed radios.
result
6G-Reference develops hardware enablers for high density cell-free deployments, contributing to European leadership in microelectronic solutions for communication and sensing infrastructure by targeting not only coherent data transmission but also accurate localization and sensing, embodying connections with the physical, chemical, digital and human worlds.
The green transition of the 6G reference relies on high density deployment of low energy distribution nodes, which can enhance multi-user beamforming schemes for data transmission and accurate sensing. 6G references that allow density deployment of distributed radio units contribute to improving availability in densely populated areas, ensuring coverage from multiple radio units in every corner.
Furthermore, it is achieved in a sustainable way from an energy efficiency perspective, such as using the same integrated circuit hardware for sensing and communications. Additionally, it directly contributes to SDG 13 on climate action by developing environmental chemical sensors within antenna system hardware to potentially realize virtual environmental quality maps applied to ensure clean hydrogen energy storage. 6G-Reference does not directly address new business models, but indirectly enables its concept, particularly by integrating communication with localization and passive radar sensing.
The ultimate goal of 6G-Reference is to ensure the commercial feasibility of developed hardware solutions by ensuring that standardization work is based not only on current standardization activities and goals, but also on correct knowledge of the capabilities and limitations of the hardware that was developed.
consortium
Center Tecnologic de Telecomunicacions de Catalunya (CTTC). Erickson AB (EAB). Universiteit Twente (ut). Commissariatà L’Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives (CEA). Front SL. MTU Australia Alpha Lab. Interuniversitair Micro-Electronica Centrum (IMEC). Eidgenoessische Technische Hochschule Zuerich (Ethz). Advanced Circuit Pursuit AG (ACP). University of Birmingham (UOB).
Disclaimer
This information is provided by the 6G Reference Consortium under EC Grant 101139155 and does not necessarily reflect the views of the European Commission.
This article will also be featured in the 23rd edition of Quarterly Publication.
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