Deutsche Telekom recently announced that progress towards defining 6G networks has been made by a research consortium that they are participating in. This consortium comprising of government, academia and industrial players focused on how terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks can create unified infrastructure.
The 6G-TakeOff project is a German government-backed initiative exploring how holistic 3D networks could enable the next-generation technology. Deutsche Telekom coordinated the group, which concluded a three-year research programme at the close of August.
Deutsche Telekom stated “important insights” into the potential of 3D networks was gained, involving device handover, local deployment of mobile edge compute, and feederlink technology to connect ground stations with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
O2 Telefonica, Airbus Defence and Space, NXP Semiconductors, Rohde & Schwarz, Boldyn Networks and John Deere are among the big names participating in the initiative along with a host of respected research institutes and universities.
Tested
Thomas Lips, SVP of RAN disaggregation and enablement, said the project “helped us better understand the practical challenges of integrating terrestrial and non-terrestrial components into a unified 3D communication framework”.
Deutsche Telekom explained 3D networks combine terrestrial with non-terrestrial options including HAPS and satellite. The set-up is designed to optimise connections, using non-terrestrial options to complement ground base stations. Consortium members developed demonstrations to assess the feasibility of various 3D network elements. A testbed at the University of Bremen was used to assess device handover in a simulated 3D network.
Project members also demonstrated edge computing works in the 3D set-up, a proof the operator stated means compatible networks can be established on the fly and on a temporary basis.
The consortium also developed fresh antenna designs to connect ground stations and UAVs. The equipment provides a “particularly strong directional focus”, essentially becoming souped-up editions of the beamforming antennas used in feederlinks.
Deutsche Telekom stated the group also developed fresh approaches to steer beams, making the alignment of ground antennas and UAVs more accurate.
A total of seven patent applications have resulted from the consortium’s work to-date and Deutsche Telekom expects the information gathered to contribute to the standardisation of future generations of mobile technology.
Source: Mobile World Live
Image Credit: Deutsche Telekom
