Advancing 6G-RAN through multi-technology, multi-sensor fusion, multi-band and multi-static perception

The MultiX project aims to revolutionize the 3GPP Radio Access Network (RAN) design and operation by developing a pioneering MultiX fusion Perceptive 6G-RAN system (MP6R) that will support an integrated multi-sensor, multi-static, multi-band, and multi-technology paradigm to enable multi-sensorial perception for future 6G sensing applications.

The MP6R builds on top of three innovation pillars: i) MultiX Perception System (MPS) that introduces 3 levels of sensing functions into the RAN stack to support multi-sensor, multi-band, multi-static, and multi-technology Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC), following a streamlined functional split architecture to enable a fully flexible ISAC deployment in 6G-RAN and to facilitate vendors to extend their RAN stack to support sensing in a plug & play manner; ii) MP6R controller (MP6RC) that extends the RAN control plane functionalities to coordinate and control multi-technology integration (including 3GPP, non-3GPP, and other sensor technologies such as Radar, LiDAR, camera, etc.), while considering new connectivity approaches as well as mobility challenges for sensing and localization services; and iii) Data Access and Security Hub (DASH) designed as a novel RAN data plane entity that aggregates multi-sensor data of diverse technologies, providing secure data access, processing, storage, and exposure, ensuring data privacy and trustworthiness, and that can be fully distributed throughout the data plane wherever needed in the 6G-RAN.

The proposed MP6R RAN design, and a set of other selected innovations, will be validated and demonstrated in two specific Proof-of-Concepts (PoCs) targeting TRL 4-5: PoC#1) Multi-layer Network Digital Twin for Industrial Manufacturing and PoC#2) Contact-free eHealth Monitoring at Home Environment.

In addition, MultiX also aims to shape 6G standardization for achieving maximum sustainability and impact by contributing to relevant SDOs, including 3GPP, IEEE, ETSI ISAC.