6G-OpenLab - Open Scientific-Technologic Laboratory of Research in 6G of the UPC

Infrastructure Overview

The infrastructure is distributed across two separate campuses, interconnected by fiber optics. Each campus has its technology deployments with complementary features, providing various services. The next image illustrates a general diagram of the key components at both campuses and a description of the key characteristics of the infrastructure in Campus Baix Llobregat.

infrastructure diagram

A complete vision of the infrastructure with the different elements and technologies.

  • The 6G infrastructure is built through a platform composed of access and core, fixed, cellular, wireless, IoT, Time Sensitive Network (TSN), and millimeter technologies.
  • The cellular access network comprises 5G legacy and MEC (Multi-access Edge Computing) elements extended to 5G+ and 6G.
  • Networks are deployed over the new frequency bands, extending NR (FR1 and FR2), with new modulation schemes, formats, rates, and bandwidths. In the case of FR2, it has been deployed by the project extension ELEGANT.
  • Radio technologies are developed on open frameworks, such as Open Air Interface, srsRAN, O-RAN and standards, like SDN, SDR, NFV, ONAP, and slicing among others.
  • Switches/routers interconnect all the elements of the platform with rates between 10 to 400 Gbps, and a fiber optic ring with DWDM (Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing) connects the extreme computation nodes of the network.

  • The infrastructure is governed by an intelligent and cognitive architecture based on artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) algorithms.
  • These algorithms are part of the Artificial Intelligent Functions (AIF), located in the different elements of the data, control, management and service planes. AIFs are dynamically distributed using Pods (containers) and Kubernetes technology.
  • This IA/ML architecture can work in centralized, distributed, or federated mode, depending on the requirements of the applications or devices to self-manage, with local or global models and with different synchronization mechanisms.
  • The proposed architecture allows the creation of intelligent end-to-end slices with the ability to self-manage services and the network.

  • Slices creation between two entities, built by concatenating microservices on a Network Function Virtualization ( NFV) architecture and distributing them through Kubernetes Pods.
  • The infrastructure emulates two administrative domains that can act as two independent Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO). This structure allows inter-operator handovers and roaming. Each administrative domain has an application orchestrator that can configure, maintain, and delete slices.
  • Intelligent Application Automation Platform and Network Services is a central unit that contains a multi-domain MEC orchestrator, to allow end-to-end slices to be created between the two administrative domains.

  • The infrastructure should serve as a testbed for advanced techniques to improve energy efficiency in 6G radio communication systems.
  • Power amplifiers constituting the radio transmitters shall be tested to determine the optimal working point from the point of view of linearity and efficiency.
  • Development and testing of new techniques for further improvements (low power consumption and high efficiency, linearity) in 6G radio transmitters.
  • The usage of various technologies that require high energy efficiency, like IoT devices and WiFi.

Unique, extensive, multi-technology infrastructure that holistically integrate research and validation in real-world conditions of 5G+/6G technologies in optical, wireless, cellular, deterministic networks, sensor networks, machine learning techniques, zero-touch network architectures, and millimeter radio technologies.

  • The infrastructure is integrated with existing national and European infrastructures such as ESFRI, creating a large holistic 5G+/6G testbed to be used by the entire scientific community.
  • At the regional, national, and international levels, it provides a service to all fundamental and industrial research groups of universities, research centers, technology centers, companies, and administrations, which develop R+D+I activities and technological diffusion in this field.

Infrastrucutre of Campus Baix Llobregat

A detailed overview of the Baix Llobregat Campus infrastructure is available on its website, while information about Campus Nord can be found on the ELEGANT web page.

Data Center

Distributed data center deployed between both campuses, connected by a DWDM link.

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Mobile Network

Deployment of 5G+ network upgradeable to 6G, through remote radio heads (RRH), Base Band Units (BBU), and 5G core.

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Edge Computing

Deployed nodes with Edge-IA computing, and MECs (Multi-Access Edge Computing) in the streets adjacent to the buildings of both campuses.

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Optical Communications

A bidirectional tunable DWDM system with various 100 Gbps channels connecting both campuses elements.

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Sensor Network

Set of sensors and actuators to monitor and act in the greenhouse, drone lab and outdoor enclosures.

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Time Sensitive Network

Parallel network which features TSN capabilities.

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Monitoring and Automatization

The entire network is monitored and automated on a centralized server, using free software solutions.

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