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The use of MIMO and Massive MIMO is considered one the most disruptive and effective technologies introduced in recent years. For beyond 5G networks, the use of cell-free MIMO is being considered, which essentially means distributing the access points (AP) and doing the processing either locally or centrally. While many studies have considered spectral efficiency gains of various central or local processing methods, few publications consider the impact of the 5G architecture, and the NG-RAN, on the cell-free networking opportunities and challenges. The O-RAN alliance, initiated by some large operators and players in the telecom domain, aims to transform the radio access networks towards truly virtualized, distributed, and most importantly open systems. In an ideal world, multiple distributed O-RAN entities cooperate seamlessly to bring the best possible connectivity to each UE, cooperating through the O-RAN APIs. The key challenge that remains is how to merge cell-free networking, and distributed processing, with those existing network architectures. To exploit those distributed O-RAN entities optimally, and meet diverse requirements of future communication systems, beyond 5G intelligent networks will provide enhanced flexibility through the dynamic scheduling of the available resources. Given the densification of networks, and the introduction of cell-free architectures, the availability of radio access resources is unseen, and is only limited by the potential of the resource allocation methods. A major challenge is how to achieve this within standard and open architectures, such as for instance the O-RAN ALLIANCE. We will give a brief overview of the main academic trends in cell-free communication and radio resource management. We then describe how they will be mapped to NG-RAN and O-RAN terminology and architectures, giving a clear insight in the remaining challenges and innovation needs.
How to efficiently utilize the physically limited resource of spectrum has become a critical problem to solve in the 21st Century as wireless communications continues to grow exponentially, with wireless technology moving from 4G to 5G and the advent of the Internet of Things. In the US, the Federal Government is the largest single user of midband spectrum, so no serious solutions could be developed without full engagement with the FCC, DoD and NTIA. In-depth academic and industry discussions began with the Obama administration’s President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, culminating in a report issued on July 20, 2012: Realizing the Full Potential of Government-Held Spectrum to Spur Economic Growth. The report concluded that the traditional practice of clearing and reallocating portions of the spectrum used by Federal agencies was not a sustainable model for spectrum policy, recommending that the best way to increase capacity was to leverage new technologies that enable large blocks of spectrum to be shared. In 2015 this led to the FCC adopting new rules for sharing spectrum in the 3.5 GHz band, naming the band Citizens Broadband Radio Service. Professor Reed was on the ground floor of turning the academic concept into an industry reality with the founding of Federated Wireless, laying the groundwork for developing one of the first Spectrum Access Systems that dynamically shares spectrum in real-time. Kurt Schaubach picked up the reigns at Federated Wireless, shepherding the product through the FCC/NTIA certification process and commercially launching the service in September 2019. Professor Reed and Mr. Schaubach will talk about this history and the lessons learned from government, academia and industry working together to solve an issue that goes beyond technology alone. Mr. Schaubach will also discuss the commercial success of CBRS and review how it has led to the global exploration of spectrum sharing as a viable and necessary option for efficient spectrum utilization. Both will discuss how the commercial opportunities for spectrum sharing may evolve over time.
The additive nature of today’s technology megatrends including 5G, AI, IOT, Edge Computing and the Cloud is fueling the need for computing and communications to converge into one intelligent, resilient and distributed networking fabric. In order to deliver broad economic and societal benefits, the industry continues to commercialize and evolve 5G - addressing the technical and use case needs of consumer, enterprise and industry verticals. Asha Keddy, Intel Corporate VP and GM of Next Generation & Standards, will present the latest 5G achievements; illuminate the continuing work to evolve 5G; and speak to the opportunities for industry to further explore the potential of 5G. Ms. Keddy will also speak to the fundamental importance of integrating computing and communications for wireless networks and share her thoughts on what comes beyond 5G - highlighting early candidate technology development areas as well as the industry, academic and government collaborations that are already underway.
Augmented reality user experiences are becoming more available to consumers through a diverse set of devices of various form factors like headsup displays, holographic displays, head mounted devices, and handheld devices. Today, nearly 80% of the world's population uses the compute power and connectivity on their smartphone to access the internet and connect to their network of people and things any time of the day, anywhere in the world. AR and spatial compute technology offer the possibility for users to be presented with additional information of the world (places, things, life) around them proactively without an explicit directed human query. In particular, the possible evolution of optical glasses worn by humans to include AR has the potential of eventually becoming a device of choice by majority users to be their source of infotainment, social connection, education, economy, health and other needs. While there are many issues to be solved to make this potential a reality, in this talk, we will go through some considerations and challenges to be met by technologists to make AR glasses a platform for users to enjoy AR experiences ubiquitously. We will explore various system-level optimizations that need to be done to deliver an intuitive, immersive, always-on AR experience everywhere. These system-level optimizations would include power consumption considerations on the AR glasses plus the connections to any companion devices on person and to the cloud where ultimately most of the information needed by the user lies.
As they implement new technologies, regulators around the world work within the limits and procedures referenced in the ITU Radio Regulations (RR), a set of international regulations by all ITU-R member states that govern the use of spectrum by existing and emerging wireless technologies. However, the RR do not encompass every new technological concepts. And, as a result, adapting new technologies and concepts to work within the limits and procedures of outlined in the RR is not always straightforward. The use of active antennas, in which transmitters are integrated with the radiating structure, is one such topic. Over the past couple of years, the ITU-R has been discussing how to apply conducted power limits to 5G transmitters using active antennas. The variance in the interpretations being debated is such that there could be quite a significant adverse impact on the deployment, operation, and performance of 5G stations. This challenge would only grow due to the trend in 5G/6G towards larger active arrays with potentially hundreds of transmitters. It is crucial to consider what these regulatory limits are, both in letter and spirit, how they have been used in the past, what impact the new interpretations could have, and in what ways they can accommodate multi-antenna and other new technologies.
As hordes of data-hungry devices challenge its current capabilities, Wi-Fi strikes again with 802.11be, alias Wi-Fi 7. This brand-new amendment promises a (r)evolution of unlicensed wireless connectivity as we know it, unlocking access to gigabit, reliable and low-latency communications, and reinventing manufacturing and social interaction through digital augmentation. More than that, time-sensitive networking protocols are being put forth with the overarching goal of making wireless the new wired. With its standardization process being consolidated, we will provide an updated digest of 802.11be essential features, place the spotlight on some of the must-haves for critical and delay-sensitive applications, and illustrate their benefits through standard-compliant simulations.
At present the O-RAN architecture provides a promising solution of an open-RAN ecosystem, where based on the defined functional splits (CU, DU, RU) a multi-vendor solution can theoretically be achieved. This so called “wave 1.0” 5G that is capable of utilizing only basic (rough) virtualization as well as introducing essential interfaces to enable open-ecosystem, like: E2 for the control of CU/DU/RU as well as A1, O1, O2 for policy based management, network configuration and monitoring. The existing state-of-the art based on IS-Wireless analysis and experiences (also as O-RAN member) should be upgraded to what we call open-RAN Wave 2.0 in order to allow greater flexibility of functional split as well as improve the capability of addressing the challenges of ultra-dense networks. Flexibility of functional splits is essential to adjust open-RAN based networks to the existing infrastructure capabilities including not only fronthaul but also midhaul interfaces. Fronthaul is understood mainly as splits beyond 6 and especially the 7.2 O-RAN split that requires a certain level of capacity, which may be even quadrupled with the split 7.1. In the midhaul e.g. where the CU-CP with RIC (RAN intelligent controller), CORE, MEC and application servers are located, the infrastructure can also vary in capacity. With highly granularized network functions packaged as VNF/CNF (virtual machines of containers) and also providing multitude of split options it is easier to tailor deployment of open-RAN network to fit into available fronthaul and to optimize cost of hardware and network. Moreover, it is then more convenient to orchestrate such “workloads” (i.e. 5G radio stack functions) across edge-cloud continuum, also including edge micro data centers. In this way, multiple split association types can also be achieved naturally e.g. split per slice, per UE, per bearer. The underlying compute resources can also be utilized more efficiently as particular workloads can be fitted to a variety of acceleration cards (GPU, FPGA, SmartNIC) or computer architectures (x86, ARM). Eventually such fine grained, highly composable (orchestrated) disaggregated open-RAN can be called open-RAN Wave 2.0, as it enables achieving higher capacities for network operators who are aiming to address the challenges of ultra-dense networks. Efficient data-driven resource management (both radio and compute) with the novel paradigms like cell-free (or distributed cell-free massive MIMO) are becoming more straightforward to be implemented with such improved open-RAN architectures.
Security issues in Internet communication tend not to be subtle mathematical flaws in the cryptography, but instead, broader system issues. For example, humans using the Internet. We have lovely cryptography. We have certificates. We have great protocols for doing authentication. But does that really assure a human that they are talking to what they think they are talking to? What about authenticating people? What kinds of names should people have, so that the name is unique, and someone that wants to talk to a human will know what name to use? What about distributed systems that are provably correct, provided that all the components are doing what they are supposed to be doing, but do not work correctly if some components misbehave? How can we design systems that will be robust despite misbehaving participants? Will digital signatures on data assure us that data that we read on the Internet is true? Is the simple answer to everything that we should blame users if things go wrong, and just complain that users need more training? (hint…no) Or maybe using blockchain everywhere will make everything secure? (hint…no)
5G will provide significant societal value as it is used for critical infrastructure, mission critical applications, smart manufacturing, connected car, and other use cases. As a result of this new usage, our risk tolerance must be decreased because of the increased impact of cyberattacks on the 5G network. This requires a risk-based approach to securing Radio Access Networks (RAN) as it evolves to Open RAN that is virtualized, disaggregated, cloud-native, automated, and intelligent. Along with new secure use cases, there is an emerging requirement for Open RAN which can be implemented using the approaches of virtual RAN, Cloud RAN, and O-RAN. These new technologies in the wireless cellular space bring inherent security benefits while also introducing new security risks. This presentation will address the Open RAN approaches and the security risks for each. Open RAN security topics that will be discussed include 3GPP 5G security, cloud security, security-by-design, and secure use of open source software. ORAN’s expanded threat surface, with additional interfaces and functions, introduces additional security risks that will also be discussed. The presentation will also introduce concepts to achieve a zero-trust architecture for Open RAN that can be implemented in Cloud RAN and O-RAN. The multi-party relationship between the operator, cloud provider, and system integrator requires security roles and responsibilities are clearly defined in this presentation.
In the recent years, the need for high QoS Internet services along with increasing data traffic has increased and led to bandwidth scarcity in the radio-frequency (RF) spectrum. One of the solutions to this problem is the use of Visible Light Communications (VLC). Visible Light Communications is a declination of the broader wireless optical paradigm that embraces also infra-red and ultra-violet. Recently we have seen deployment of Li-Fi (Light-fidelity) which has emerged as an innovative technology for indoor wireless by starting to augment typical RF-based systems. But eventually we expect it will replace conventional Wi-Fi access in many scenarios. Li-Fi, and VLC more generally is capable of providing multiple services like illumination, data transmission and localization at the same time making it a suitable technology for the smart environments driving the evolution towards the 6G Era. VLC has been enabled by the development of suitable light emitting diodes (LEDs) as incoherent solid state lighting sources employable for both illumination and data transmission. At the receiver side, the optical signal is collected by a photodiode (PD) and converted into a current that is further processed in order to detect information. The small size of optoelectronic hardware allows the implementation of dense multi-LED transmitters, in the form of an array or matrix at the access point, while within the portable user equipment there is a need for small device, leading to miniaturization and a reduced number of receiving elements. The engineering and communications challenges underlying these technologies will be described in some detail. Another paradigm, known as camera communication, utilizes smartphone cameras as receivers in order to provide access to general purpose devices and this will be described and discussed. Visible Light Communications is a new technology with some commonality to traditional radio frequency solutions as well as techniques that until now were specifically developed for optical wireless systems. We will outline the field of application of VLC which is very broad with uses in situations where RF may be less suitable or unsuitable such as airplanes systems, hospital environments etc. We will also describe the inherent security advantages of VLC which is able to grant an optical secrecy level in which eavesdroppers must be within a few squared meters of the user to mount a possible attack.
5G and Mobile Private Networks are enabling the digital transformation of manufacturing and the factories of the future. It is essential that network operators build the 5G right so we deliver all key enablers for Private networks in Industry 4.0. This talk reviews the key characteristics of Mobile Private Networks and present real use cases of how companies are now adopting 5G technology to reduce manual processes and enable highly efficient, connected, and flexible factories of the future.
This session will discuss how Open architecture technologies, such as OpenRAN, will be a key enabler of this digital transformation of European economies and societies allowing network operators to source RAN equipment from a more diverse range of general purpose processor hardware, software and radio antennae vendors, each specialising and competing in different parts of the RAN supply chain. OpenRAN also enables networks to be operated in entirely new ways, for example, network automation will drive operational innovation and efficiencies. The fact that the software and hardware layers are disaggregated, brings additional flexibility to network operations, allowing new features and capabilities to be introduced simply via software upgrades, enabling the delivery of flexible high quality services tailored to customers’ specific needs.
Spain’s 5G players - government, operators, industry — are investing heavily in pilot projects covering virtually every use case. This session will give an overview and highlights of Spain’s first years of 5G consumer deployment and business use cases. We will provide an inside look at pilot case experimentation, exposing lessons learned and comparing deployment in Spain and in other countries in an effort to identify the key ingredients for 5G’s economical and societal success.
Until now, optical access networks have used basic intensity modulation direct detection transmission methods, using elementary signal recovery techniques (clock and data recovery). Now that baud rates are increasing, this simple approach is no longer viable if the system is to maintain the sizable loss budget (30 dB) that is required. At the same time, the cost of high-speed digital signal processing (DSP) has declined enough that it can be applied to an optical access system. The ITU-T has been developing the “High Speed Passive Optical Network” (HS-PON) since 2018, and that work has now culminated with the consent of the first complete set of recommendations that describe a 50 Gb/s (over a single wavelength) PON. In addition, several prototype systems have been developed and demonstrated in laboratory trials with several operators. It is expected that significant deployment of 50 Gb/s PON will begin in 2024.1 At present, there are many groups dedicated to DSP research, but most of these are targeted to wireless technologies or to coherent optical transmission. This means that the optical access field is presently underserved by the DSP community, and is fertile ground for research. Our presentation will provide the necessary technical background to understand the fiber access network, and then present the various ways in which DSP can be applied to solve the major issues that come from increasing the speed of those networks. One issue we will address is the use of bandwidth limited components to enable lower cost systems, where DSP can enable a doubling of baud rate with only 2dB worse optical sensitivity. We will also describe the problem of resolution in burst mode transmission, the classical challenge of passive optical networks. We show that DSP can do far better than the traditional analog techniques, both in terms of sophistication of signal recovery algorithms and in adaptability of reception parameters. Most engineers with optical access experience lack an in-depth knowledge of DSP technologies. Conversely, most DSP engineers lack the knowledge of the idiosyncrasies that arise from burst mode transmission at very high baud rate. The goal of this presentation is to bridge the gap between the PON and DSP engineers, planting a seen from which some new applications of existing techniques can be found.
In the last few years a variety of players have entered the quantum race, ranging from tech giants - such as IBM and Google – to several small start-up companies, as well as states and governments, with massive public funds to be distributed over the next years. Standardization efforts are already ongoing, such as the one within the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). The IEEE has become involved in this effort. Within the context of a real quantum revolution, the vision is to build a quantum network infrastructure, also known as the Quantum Internet, to interconnect remote quantum devices so that quantum communications among them are enabled. We will give an overview about the main challenges and open problems arising in the design of a distributed quantum computing architecture. Quantum computing is on the verge of sparking a paradigm shift. Software reliant on this nascent technology, one rooted in the physical laws of nature, could soon revolutionize computing forever. We will focus on the current quantum computer technology from the hardware and software point of view, providing a detailed roadmap for next years. In this context, specific integration of classical and quantum computing that represents a huge step in accelerating the execution of quantum circuits, or sequences of quantum operations, on real Quantum systems will be described.
Barely seen in action movies until a decade ago, the progressive blending of UAVs into our daily lives will greatly impact labor and leisure activities alike. Most stakeholders regard reliable connectivity as a must-have for the UAV ecosystem to thrive, and the wireless research community has been rolling up its sleeves to drive a native and long-lasting support for UAVs in 5G and beyond. Moving up, the recent introduction of more affordable insertions into the low orbit is luring new players to the space race, making a marriage between the satellite and cellular industries more likely than ever. In this talk, we will navigate from 5G to 6G use cases, requirements, and enablers involving aerial and spaceborne communications, also acting as a catalyst for much-needed new research.
3GPP is finalizing Release 17 and starting to work on the second phase of 5G, which is officially named as 5G Advanced. The goal of 5G Advanced is to extend the 5G framework to support more scenarios and use cases, in particular for IoTs and vertical applications. Communications for automation and intelligence in vertical domains come with demanding and diverse requirements with respect to latency, data rates, availability, reliability, and in some cases, high-accuracy positioning. The vertical industries that will reap the benefits of this new level of automation will range from railways, buildings, manufacturing, healthcare, smart cities, electrical power supply and special events. Integrated with AI, Big Data, IoT, and other key technologies, 5G Advanced will empower traditional industries one step further than 5G. The talk will demonstrate the latest status of 5G empowered vertical applications and provide insight on how 5G Advanced will digitalize and modernize traditional industries to raise the efficiency. AI, industrial IoT, ubiquitous networks, blockchains, edge computing and network slicing are the key technologies which will be elaborated in this talk. In the conclusion of this talk, evolving trends of 5G Advanced to better boost a smart society and better support verticals will also be outlined.
Exploiting the frequency ranges above 6 GHz has become a hallmark of modern wireless systems. The use of 20-100 GHz spectrum was a key characteristic of 5G systems, and the 100-500 GHz frequency range will be an important component in 6G. This talk will first discuss the characteristics of wireless propagation channels in those frequency bands, reviewing the fundamentals, and then discussing our recent measurement results in outdoor environments, including ones in the larger than 100 GHz frequency range that show feasibility of high-rate data links at distances up to 100 m in both line-of-sight and many non-line-of-sight situations; yet at the same time these measurements also indicate that many common assumptions about such high-frequency channels, e.g., with respect to sparsity, might not hold under all circumstances. Based on the discussions of the channels, the talk will then investigate single- and multi-user capacity, signaling methods and transceiver structures that are especially suitable for ultra-high data rates at these high frequency bands.
5G rollouts have stimulated new demand that cannot be met by 5G itself. That's where 5G-Advanced comes into play, delivering enhanced capabilities. Without a doubt, 5G-Advanced will further stimulate more new demands that only 6G can address. Looking into these new demands will be crucial to defining 6G. ITU-R is leading the consortium effort to study future technology trend (FTT) and 6G vision, aiming to issue the FTT report and vision recommendation by the end of 2022 and in the middle of 2023, respectively. 6G will go far beyond communications. 6G will serve as a distributed neural network that provides communication links to fuse the physical, cyber, and biological worlds, truly ushering in an era in which everything will be sensed, connected, and intelligent. In addition to connected people and things, we predict that 6G will be the platform for connected intelligence, where the mobile network connects vast amounts of intelligent devices and connects them intelligently. This talk will first start with 5G-advanced as an introduction, then present an overall vision for 6G with drivers, use cases, KPIs, roadmap and key capabilities. Six key capabilities: (1) Extreme connectivity, (2) Native AI, (3) Networked sensing, (4) Integrated Non-terrestrial network, (5) Native trustworthiness and (6) Sustainability, will be further discussed, including potential technologies/research directions and associated challenges.