Showcasing Innovation through Collaboration in Telecommunications
From 3rd -6th June 2024, the 33rd edition of EuCNC & 6G Summit took place in Antwerp, Belgium. The conference addressed various aspects of Beyond 5G/6G communications systems and networks. Bringing together the State-of-the art research and global industries and businesses, attracting more than 1000 delegates from 40 countries, an exhibition with more than 50 exhibitors, were selected Eurescom projects for demonstrating the technology developed in EU R&I programmes.
SNS JU Stand via SNS OPS Project
Eurescom co-hosted the Smart Network and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU) stand at EuCNC 2024, through the SNS OPS project. This project serves as a collaborative platform for European and global stakeholders involved in preparing 6G smart networks and services.
At the booth, SNS OPS was joined by its sister project SNS ICE and presented SNS JU’s recent achievements and promoted its strategic objectives in 6G development.
By fostering connections with international regions and standardization bodies, SNS ICE aims to ensure Europe’s active participation in global 6G standardization and trend-setting. As part of the project’s outreach, dedicated workshops and presentations at major events like EuCNC and Techritory will continue to shape the international discourse on 6G and inform SNS JU’s community on global developments, keeping Europe’s R&I at the forefront of innovation.
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Eurescom GmbH Director David Kennedy (right)
presenting SNS JU at the SNS OPS stand
SNS JU booth at EuCNC 2024
Team SNS ICE at EuCNC 2024
Non-Terrestrial Networks and Terrestrial Networks unification – from Vision to reality Workshop
The workshop “Non-Terrestrial Networks and Terrestrial Networks Unification – from Vision to Reality” held on June 3, 2024, aimed to advance integration between space-based and terrestrial communication networks, focusing on 5G and 6G technologies. Organized by Adam Kapovits (Eurescom) and Maria Guta (ESA) as part of the EuCNC & 6G Summit, the event explored the potential of recently available space assets for in-orbit experimentation, enabling Proof of Concept (PoC) validations, demonstrations, and standardization efforts.
Key sessions included insights into European research projects and initiatives, such as ESA’s 6G precursor mission and Germany’s SERANIS mission. Presenters discussed technical architectures, use cases, and enabling technologies for NTN-6G, with contributions from leading SNS JU projects like 5G-STARDUST and 6G-SANDBOX. Additionally, industry leaders and researchers highlighted projects on 3D networks, optical space backbone networks (HydRON), and combined airspace networks, underlining Europe’s strong engagement in the NTN/6G domain.
Maria Guta, ESA Senior 5G/6G Satcom Solutions
Architect in NTN, presenting the ESA 6G precursor mission
NTN Workshop attendees
Innovative demo for the CENTRIC Project Stand
Eurescom’s CENTRIC project, led by project manager Halid Hrasnica, and demonstration set by NVIDIA and Keysight partners stood out as a prime example of innovation in receiver technology. At the CENTRIC demo, the project demonstrated NVIDIA and and Keysight’s advanced Neural Receiver concept, designed to optimize receiver structures for specific deployment sites. This technology represents a step forward for multi-user MIMO receivers by utilizing neural networks that can be fine-tuned on-site for enhanced performance.
The CENTRIC demo illustrated how the neural receiver, initially trained on standard stochastic channel models, offers significant improvements over traditional MIMO receivers. When fine-tuned with data from the base station’s specific deployment site, its performance outpaces that of a generically trained receiver. The hardware-based validation setup provided attendees with a tangible glimpse into the potential of neural network-based receivers within a real 5G ORAN network.
CENTRIC team at their booth
CENTRIC team with their demonstration
SNS ICE Support to the SNS JU Introduction Workshop
SNS ICE was pleased to back the Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU) Steering Board (SB), Technology Board (TB), and Working Groups (WGs) Workshop held during the first day of the EuCNC & 6G Summit 2024. This event spotlighted the collaborative efforts shaping the future of smart networks and services.
Pavlos Fournogerakis, SNS-JU’s deputy head of Programme, emphasized the vital role of project collaborative bodies in advancing SNS JU’s vision. SB Chairman Mikael Fallgren (Ericsson) and TB Chairman Konstantinos Trichias (6G Smart Networks and Services Industry Association) gave an update on active SNS JU projects, current technologies, and upcoming objectives for the SB and TB.
The Working Group chairs—Ömer Bulakci (Architecture WG), Michael Dieudonne (TMV WG), David Artuñedo (Software WG), and Ioannis Tomkos (Hardware WG)—shared insights into their focus areas and anticipated outcomes for the coming period, contributing to Europe’s leadership in 6G innovation. The session was moderated by Eurescom Programme manager Uwe Herzog from the SNS OPS CSA project, fostering in-depth discussions on progress and goals.
Uwe Herzog, SNS OPS CSA project manager, opening the SNS JU workshop
Panel discussion on the Impact of 6G Technology
Participation in the WiTaR Working Group Session
Eurescom project manager Pooja Mohnani took part in the “Women in Telecommunications and Research” (WiTaR) convened session on June 4, 2024. Representing both Eurescom and the SNS ICE project, she engaged with other leaders in a session dedicated to promoting gender equality, inclusion, and empowerment within the 6G Research & Innovation community. WiTaR, an EU-level initiative, is committed to closing gender gaps and empowering more women in R&I fields, reflecting Eurescom’s own values of inclusivity and equity in tech.
Pooja Mohnani presenting: WiTaR collaboration opportunities with SNS JU projects and working groups
WiTaR workshop attendees
CHARITY Project Stand
The CHARITY project, a Horizon 2020 project initiative lead by Eurescom and now successfully finished, showcased last advancements in immersive communication through intelligent use of network resources. Running since January 2021 and concluded in June 2024, CHARITY focused on orchestrating cloud, edge, and network resources to support emerging applications requiring both low and high latency environments. The project’s open-source framework for intelligent resource orchestration captured significant interest, with visitors recognizing the project’s potential to transform network resource management for immersive and interactive communication.
CHARITY team at EuCNC 2024
Joint forces at the CELTIC-NEXT & Xecs booth
The goal of the joint booth was to promote the cooperation between the CELTIC’s ICT community and the Xecs’ microelectronics and systems community. At the booth the EUREKA Clusters CELTIC-NEXT and Xecs presented alternative R&D&I funding schemes to the ICT community focused on 6G technology design and development. The Eureka cluster advocates Xavier Priem, CELTIC-NEXT’s Director, and, Patrice Cogez, Xecs’ Technical Director, provided insights on the EUREKA Clusters and information about the upcoming calls for proposals of the two clusters and the processes involved.
Xavier Priem, CELTIC-NEXT’s Director, and, Patrice Cogez, Xecs’ Technical Director
Conclusion
Eurescom’s presence at EuCNC & 6G Summit 2024 underscored its commitment to driving technological innovation, inclusivity, and global collaboration in telecommunications. By showcasing projects like CENTRIC and CHARITY, supporting gender diversity initiatives through WiTaR, and contributing to the strategic efforts of the SNS JU through SNS OPS, Eurescom remains a key player in advancing Europe’s leadership in the next generation of network technology.
EuCNC & 6G Summit 2024 offered a vibrant stage for Eurescom to demonstrate its contributions to the evolution of telecommunications and to strengthen connections within the global R&I community, and will continue by taking leading roles in beginning 2025 in two new 6G innovative SNS JU Horizon Europe SUSTAIN-6G and SNS CO-OP (see next article).
Further information