Optical 6G Cell Free Networks

The OPTI-6G project develops a Photonic near IR Cell Free 5G Network, which does not suffer from interference because of the propagation characteristics of EM waves in this part of the spectrum and provides universal broadband coverage within buildings from pervasively located OWC access points.The benefits of applying cell free near IR networks in buildings are (1) multi-connectivity can be configured with cell free network thereby improving link quality and reliability; (2) there is no longer the need for building owners to subdivide their non-public mobile building network into cellular areas; (3) building owners no longer need to request permission from MNOs to use their licensed spectrum since the system operates at the optical unlicensed bands; (4) interference between inside and outside access is managed by an AI Based Distributed Scheduler; (5) position and orientation of end user equipment can be measured very accurately.

It provides solutions to two main barriers to develop this challenge: (i) Brings together a select multi-disciplinary team of research institutions and industries in a collaborative project to develop and demonstrate this vision, who otherwise would not have assembled to achieve this goal; (ii) Develops a proof of concept demonstrator in OLEDCOMM and RUNEL; (ii) Performs experiments to measure position and orientation of end user equipment at UVSQ and UBRU.The starting point is (1) state-of-the-art cell free 5G RAN solution and very high accuracy sub cm accuracy localisation measurement system developed by RUNEL; (2) the state of the art VCSEL infrared source and high-speed PIN photodiodes receivers and that supports 1 Gbps data rates up to 5 m over a field of emission of 25 developed by OLEDCOMM.The project brings together these technologies to produce an easy installation and operation, License Free broadband Network for indoor buildings.

The outcome will be low-cost commercially attractive broadband cellular access within buildings