About the Research Project iSEE-6G

About the Project iSEE-6G will identify and describe in high-level (but also as a set of conjoint technical operations and functionalities) key use cases focusing on the operation of UAVs in the cell-free, user-centric 6G radio environment and the definition of the aerial corridors as an emerging requirement for new 6G-enabling services.

Project Presentation

Joint communication and radar/radio sensing (JCS) (aka Integrated Sensing and Communications, ISAC) is an innovative solution that can revolutionize the wireless communication and sensing paradigms. Within this definition JCS combines the use of radio signals to carry information between network nodes (communication) and the ability to detect objects and motions in the environment and estimate its relative location using transmission and reception of radio-waves (sensing).

iSEE-6G extends this technological approach and proposes the definition and development of a Joint Communication, Computation, Sensing, and Power transfer (JCCSP) unified radio platform, by integrating, exploiting, and supporting revolutionary 6G key enabling technologies. Within this context computation is considered as edge support through offloading in order to facilitate complex or energy-draining functions and provide improved results through cooperation and fusion. At the same time Power Transfer deals with the utilization of RF signals to transmit electrical energy from a power source to an electronic device without physical connections.

iSEE-6G in a nutshell

iSEE-6G proposes the investigation, definition, and development of a Joint Communications, Computation, Sensing and Power harvesting/transfer (JCCSP) unified platform accompanied with all supporting elements of the proposed solution in the future 6G protocol by integrating, exploiting, and supporting 6G key enabling technologies.

The framework focuses on:

novel passive and active antenna solutions with intelligent reconfiguration capabilities;
JCCSP-optimized physical layer design including waveform design and analysis, frame structure design, pre-coding/beamforming with respect to the Open Radio Access Network (ORAN) architectural paradigm;
Designing cross-layer schemes under the new capabilities (scheduling for JCCSP) and integrating JCCSP in the service-oriented architecture with introduction of new functionalities (enhanced positioning and topology management) towards a cell-free 6G network.

Methodology

Development in Strands

Strand 1: Channel propagation, antenna design, measurement, and fabrication.

Strand 2: Physical Layer Design – Waveforms, Precoding, Beamforming and Full Duplex.

Strand 3: System level evaluation, Scheduling, multi-user operation for JCCSP.

Strand 4: MEC supported positioning.

Strand 5: Positioning, NTN and emergency response applications.

UAV as a use case - multiple roles in 6G

Contributors for the “cell-free” 6G paradigm in conjunction with multi-dimensional antennas, reconfigurable intelligent or holographic surfaces, and more – providing exceptional beamforming capabilities in the three-dimensional (3D) space
Support next generation of backscatter communication
Energy harvesting is expected to become the means for wireless charging
Means for designing energy efficient communication systems and green communications in general offering new 3D tools for radio planning and optimization, as well as enabling energy-efficient relays
Flying mobile edge computing devices servicing low-end devices under the massive connectivity IoT paradigm
Security support system for end-users, either by enabling PLS techniques, or by offloading security/encryption related tasks