UNITY-6G UNified archITecture for Open RAN-enabled Distributed, Scalable and SustainabilitY-enhanced 6G Networks
Horizon Europe January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2027 NCSR budget: 407,500€
As the standardisation of 5G networks reaches maturity, research efforts are increasingly focused on sixth-generation (6G) networks.UNITY-6G aims to develop an AI-native architecture that seamlessly integrates heterogeneous network domains while prioritising sustainability, energy efficiency, and scalability. By incorporating Open-RAN, satellite systems, xHaul, and the edge-cloud continuum, an evolved service-based architecture (SBA) will be established to enable integrated services, end-to-end novel applications and support extreme use cases. Additionally, a distributed AI-driven management system will be designed and implemented to ensure the sustainability of the integrated network. The UNITY-6G project also aims to optimise the efficiency and effectiveness of computation and network resource management, including allocation and sharing, in dynamic multi-tenant 6G networks. This will be achieved through the development of collaborative and distributed solutions powered by AI and Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT). A digital twin application will be implemented to support resource management and enhance energy efficiency while also simplifying and expediting site deployment configurations in 6G communication systems. UNITY-6G will deliver a fully automated network and service orchestration framework, leveraging enhanced network exposure capabilities across the Edge-Cloud continuum. Open and standardised APIs will play a pivotal role in integrating cloud-native applications (verticals) and network services, including containerized 6G core network functions, xApps, and rApps. This integration will enable seamless and dynamic lifecycle management. UNITY-6G considers four use cases targeting: i) Sustainable networks for disaster handling, (ii) Immersive Experience with Real-time XR/ holographic communications, (iii) Digital Twin for Integrated 6G Network Evaluation, (iv) Multi-RAT O-RAN enabled NPN for supporting time sensitive applications for Industry 4.0.