iSEE-6G

Integrated SEnsing, Energy & Communication for 6G Networks

The research project iSEE-6G will identify and describe in high-level 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.

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.

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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. 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.

Use case 1: Joint Communications and Sensing in a 6G Cell-free environment

Demonstration of the potential for both joint communications and sensing tasks by orchestrating coordinated transmission and reception strategies - iSEE-6G
To effectively exhibit the applicability of network MIMO, the use case aims to demonstrate its potential for both joint communications and sensing tasks by orchestrating coordinated transmission and reception strategies. The UC1 objective is to underscore the practical advantages of the ORAN architectural paradigm by showcasing its seamless integration into both sensing and communications frameworks. Through the establishment of a simulated "multi-static radar" scenario within a dynamic 6G cell-free environment, the intention is to implement and thoroughly assess the efficacy of beamforming techniques for the precise identification and tracking of targets. In this use case the plan is to delve into an extensive exploration of multiple access techniques and schemes within a centrally coordinated, cell-free environment, with the overarching goal of elucidating their performance and suitability. The investigation will encompass the intricate process of joint positioning by amalgamating signals originating from diverse, widely distributed locations, thereby facilitating a comprehensive understanding of the associated challenges and potential solutions.

Use case 2: UAV corridors

UAV Corridor Graphic - iSEE-6G
A UAV corridor is a 3D designated airspace area to facilitate safe and efficient UAV flights. The primary objective of such corridors is to integrate UAVs into the airspace system while minimizing the risk of collisions, enabling seamless UAV-BS communication, optimizing infrastructure deployment, and ensuring compliance with regulatory and safety standards. Considering the vast advantages of UV corridors, the United Kingdom (UK) government approved the project Skyway with a budget of $335.54 million. Project Skyway aims to build a 265 km long UAV corridor to connect the airspaces above Reading, Oxford, Milton Keynes, Cambridge, Coventry, and Rugby. A PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) report states that using UAVs could result in £22bn of net cost savings, a 2.4 million tons reduction in carbon emission, and the creation of 650,000 jobs alone in the UK. Therefore, this section will address the role of UAVs in UAV corridors, the implementation aspects of UAV corridors, and the technical requirements for such corridors.

Use case 3: Safety enhancement

Graphic of Safety Enhancement using JCCSP Framework with 6G and UAV Integration
In the context of iSEE-6G, safety interventions utilizing 6G technology and UAVs amalgamate the cutting-edge communication capabilities of 6G with the versatility and agility of UAVs to create proactive safety measures. In disaster management, rapid and efficient communication is vital for coordinating rescue operations and ensuring the safety of responders and affected individuals. 6G's ultra-reliable and low-latency communication facilitates real-time data exchange, enabling swift decision-making and resource allocation in high-pressure scenarios. UAVs equipped with 6G communication, as well sensing, capabilities serve as aerial relays, providing connectivity in remote or inaccessible areas, enhancing situational awareness, and enabling timely assistance. Moreover, in industrial settings, where worker safety is critical, UAVs equipped with advanced sensors and 6G connectivity can monitor hazardous environments, detect anomalies, and relay critical information to control centers in real-time. This proactive approach minimizes risks and mitigates potential accidents, safeguarding both human lives and infrastructure. Furthermore, in urban environments, where traffic management and public safety are pressing concerns, 6G-enabled UAVs can enhance surveillance, monitor traffic patterns, and assist in emergency response activities. By leveraging 6G's massive connectivity and UAVs' mobility, authorities can deploy targeted interventions, optimize resource allocation, and ensure the safety and well-being of citizens.

Use case 4: Agricultural industrial IoT

Graphic of a precision agriculture framework, facilitated by AIoT technologies
The UC4 aims to present a compelling use case demonstrating the integration of 6G technology and UAVs within a precision agriculture framework, facilitated by AIoT technologies. The main objective is to showcase the effectiveness of UAVs in collecting agricultural data for crop monitoring, environmental sensing, and precision interventions, thereby enhancing agricultural productivity, resource utilization, and sustainability. In this use case, a comprehensive framework will be implemented that leverages UAVs as remote sensors, equipped with advanced imaging and sensing capabilities. These UAVs will autonomously navigate agricultural fields, collecting a wealth of data on crop health, soil moisture levels, and environmental conditions. Through seamless integration with AIoT technologies, this data will be transmitted in real-time to a centralized platform for analysis and decision-making.

Use case 5: Connected and cooperative autonomous mobility

SmartHighway Testbed Components, Teleoperation Centre and Network Slices
The use case involves integrating JCCSP and UAVs equipped with advanced sensing capabilities and B5G/6G communication technology to enhance coordination and collaboration among autonomous vehicles. Utilizing the JCCSP framework, UAVs engage in real-time data exchange with each other and with ground infrastructure. This continuous data flow facilitates monitoring services, optimized route planning, collision avoidance, and comprehensive traffic management. The deployment of 6G technology plays a critical role in this scenario by ensuring reliable communication, minimizing latency, and enabling extensive connectivity. These features enhance the robustness and resilience of communication networks essential for the seamless operation of autonomous vehicles. The integration of UAVs, 6G, and JCCSP not only ensures the safe and efficient operation of autonomous mobility but also signifies a transformative shift in transportation dynamics, impacting urban mobility, logistics, and emergency response sectors. By embracing Connected and Cooperative Autonomous Mobility (CCAM) powered by JCCSP and 6G technology, this use case marks a significant advancement in transportation. It unlocks unprecedented opportunities for enhanced efficiency, safety, and sustainability in the increasingly interconnected world. In practical terms, UAVs patrol the highway, collecting and transmitting real-time data on traffic flow, congestion, and accidents to the MEC system. AI/ML algorithms at the MEC analyze this data to optimize traffic patterns and allocate network resources dynamically. This ensures that bandwidth and computing power are directed to critical areas, such as high-density traffic zones or emergency situations. For instance, in the event of an accident, UAVs quickly arrive on the scene to provide live video feeds and environmental data to the MEC, which then coordinates with emergency services. This real-time intervention helps clear paths for responders, facilitated by AI-driven traffic management strategies. Additionally, UAVs continuously monitor environmental conditions like air quality and weather, providing data that predicts and mitigates potential hazards. Ground vehicles receive constant updates and guidance from the MEC, improving their navigation and reducing travel time. Passengers benefit from real-time information on traffic conditions and alternative routes. The integration with smart highway infrastructure, including RSUs and embedded sensors, ensures comprehensive traffic management and dynamic control of elements like traffic lights and variable message signs.

Use case 6: Energy harvesting

The wireless transmission of energy from dedicated radio frequency sources to IoE devices under the emerging wireless power transfer paradigm
An undesirable outcome arising from the projected proliferation of the IoE devices, in addition to the associated large amounts of transmitted data, is the ever-increasing energy consumption by the communication and information technologies. Additionally, the limited availability and reliability of power grids pose a significant challenge in achieving universal connectivity, emphasizing the necessity of reducing reliance on traditional power sources in next-generation networks. These obstacles are further compounded by the imperative to slash CO2 emissions in wireless communication systems by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels, and to attain climate neutrality by 2050 in response to climate change and the energy crisis. Moreover, despite the tremendous benefits offered by the IoT/IoE networks such as in healthcare, environmental monitoring, smart cities etc., the frequent replacement of batteries for IoE devices, especially for sensor type devices with constrained size which also limits battery size, impedes the development of sustainable IoE networks. Thus, despite the promising prospects of future cellular networks, there exists a tangible risk of them becoming environmentally unsustainable, imposing financial strains on network operators due to escalating energy expenses and contributing substantially to carbon emissions. Thus, as technological advancements continue, innovative strategies to mitigate escalating energy consumption are becoming increasingly vital for the sustainability and efficiency of communication networks. Fortunately, the wireless transmission of energy from dedicated radio frequency sources to IoE devices under the emerging wireless power transfer paradigm makes the self-sustainability of IoE networks in the 6G landscape feasible. Finally, the integration of wireless power transfer with joint communications and sensing is expected to revolutionize wireless communications introducing energy efficient, autonomous, and intelligent networks.
IMST Logo

IMST GmbH

Inspiring Mobile and Satellite Communication Technology

IMST will act as general project coordinator. The main technical activity focus for IMST is the design of agile antenna beamforming concepts and assistance in the development of other radiation elements. Furthermore, IMST will manufacture prototypical components and perform RF measurements in its facilities. Finally, IMST is responsible for the online presence and managing the dissemination activities.

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University of Piraeus

University of Piraeus Research Center

UPRC In iSEE-6G UPRC is responsible for the technical coordination of the project. Its focus lies mainly in the ESPAR antenna development and the Waveform design and optimization as well as the multi-access and scheduling techniques in the JCCSP.
 
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Technische Universität Berlin

"We’ve got the brains for the future. For the benefit of society."

In iSEE-6G TU Berlin is strongly involved with the development of RIS concepts and their manufacturing.

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AIRBUS

AIRBUS’s main activity is to provide the mission critical multimedia communication and collaboration platform and integrate it with the architecture. In addition, AIRBUS is responsible for the definition of the exploitation plan and for identifying the existing opportunities to maximize the iSEE-6G outreach.

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IMEC

Interuniversitair Micro-Electronica Centrum

IMEC is focusing on the implementation of MEC-enabled system for enhanced positioning and mapping. Furthermore, IMEC will oversee the integration of all the components in the enablers for the Proof-of-Concept demonstration.

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KU Leuven

Katholieke Universiteit Leuven

KU Leuven brings its experience in NTN networks to specify the requirements for the aerial corridor case. KUL will integrate the antenna results in its UAV wave propagation modelling tools to characterize the radio channel and will address the multi-user, multi-function resource allocation and scheduling challenges.

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Wings ICT Solutions

"Innovation for Sustainability and Growth"

WINGS contribution is focusing on JCAS and wireless energy transfer aspects and how these technologies can revolutionize security vertical and Internet-of-Everything (IoE) applications.

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University of Cyprus

UCY is involved in the study of the requirements for relevant aspects like power transfer or beamforming and their implications in/for the envisaged scenarios. UCY’s main role is in the physical layer design and optimization. It will identify all energy-affecting issues and parameters and offer solutions to the optimization problems.

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Orange Romania

ORO’s main contribution is the definition of the use cases and the requirements and the specification of the experimentation plan which will implement in its testbed.

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Agricloud

"Precision Agriculture = Increased Profitability"

AGR main role as heavy duty drone providers is the integration of the UAV systems in the project.

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DIREK Ltd

"AI-Powered Smart Building Management Solutions"

DIREK will support the positioning activities and will contribute in the integration of the positioning/mapping schemes and the experimentation activities.

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NVIDIA

"Accelerated Networks for Modern Workloads"

NVIDIA’s main involvement is the contribution in the development of the testbed, the integration of the components and the experimentation activities.

Integrated SWIPT Receiver with Memory Effects: Circuit Analysis and Information Detection

Eleni Demarchou, Zulqarnain Bin Ashraf, Dieff Vital, Besma Smida, Constantinos Psomas, and Ioannis Krikidis - IEEE International Conference on Communications (ICC 2024)

SWIPT in FA-enabled Cellular Networks: A Stochastic Geometry Copula-based Approach

Christodoulos Skouroumounis and Ioannis Krikidis - IEEE International Conference on Communications (ICC 2024)

MIMO with 1-bit pre/post-coding resolution: A quantum annealing approach

Ioannis Krikidis - IEEE Transactions on Quantum Engineering, vol. 5, No. 2100409

Wireless Information and Energy Transfer in the Era of 6G Networks (Tutorial)

Ioannis Krikidis, Constatinos Psomas, and Eleni Demarchou - IEEE International Conference on Communications (ICC 2024)

3D Non-Stationary Channel Measurement and Analysis for MaMIMO-UAV Communications

A. Colpaert, Z. Cui, E. Vinogradov and S. Pollin - IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, vol. 73, no. 5, pp. 6061-6072, May 2024, doi: 10.1109/TVT.2023.3340447

CSI Measurements and Initial Results for Massive MIMO to UAV Communications

Z. Cui, A. Colpaert and S. Pollin - Proc. 2023 57th Asilomar Conference on Signals, Systems, and Computers, Pacific Grove, CA, USA, 2023, pp. 1679-1683, doi: 10.1109/IEEECONF59524.2023.10476791

Joint Energy and SINR Coverage Probability in UAV Corridor-assisted RF-powered IoT Networks

Armeniakos, C., Bithas, P. S., Maliatsos, K., & Kanatas, A. G. (2024) - IEEE Communications Letters

Joint Sensing and Communications in Unmanned-Aerial-Vehicle-Assisted Systems

Bithas, P. S., Efthymoglou, G. P., Kanatas, A. G., & Maliatsos, K. (2024) - Drones, 8(11), 656

“Performance Analysis and Experimental Validation of UAV Corridor-Assisted Networks”

H. K. Armeniakos, V. Nikolaidis, P. S. Bithas, K. Maliatsos, and A. G. Kanatas - Submitted to Transactions on Communications, Dec. 2024

Degrees of Freedom with Small and Large Linear Surfaces in the Near Field

Kanatas, A. G., Armeniakos, H. K., & Dhillon, H. S. (2024, June) - In 2024 IEEE International Conference on Communications Workshops (ICC Workshops) (pp. 1932-1937). IEEE

UAV Selection in Aerial Integrated Sensing and Communication Networks

Bithas, P. S., Efthymoglou, G. P., Kanatas, A. G., & Maliatsos, K. (2024, October) - In 2024 IEEE 100th Vehicular Technology Conference (VTC2024-Fall) (pp. 1-5). IEEE

A stochastic geometry-based performance analysis of a UAV corridor-assisted IoT network

Armeniakos, H. K., Maliatsos, K., Bithas, P. S., & Kanatas, A. G. (2024) - Frontiers in Communications and Networks, 5, 1337697