X-TREME 6G – how we aim to demonstrate the future of 6G in Europe

X-TREME 6G’s earlier stages focus on the development of use cases, of a microelectronics platform, and of resource efficient 6G algorithms and software; which, in a second time, will facilitate the development of validation test platforms for 6G applications.

Those platforms will be built to demonstrate X-TREME 6G’s key predefined use cases, with the goal of boosting 6G deployment in Europe. Those use cases are are:

  • Wireless X-Haul
  • Joint Communication And Sensing (JCAS)
  • Network as Sensor (NaS)
  • Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN)
  • Private 6G networks

Wireless X-Haul

Wireless X-Haul, whose demonstration will be orchestrated by four of our partners (Orange, Nokia, ST Microelectronics, and CEA-Leti), could offer unique benefits for the deployment of 6G in Europe. As stated by Mario Giovanni Luigi Frecassetti, from Nokia Italy: „The Wireless X-Haul use case aims to verify the feasibility, performance, and maturity of the XTREME 6G approach. This project leverages the vertical heterogeneous integration of SiGe and InP components within an innovative package. We’re also exploring new architectural approaches, some based on AI/ML techniques. The diverse skillset within X-TREME 6G makes this project incredibly exciting!“

Wireless X-Haul will consist in focusing very high speed signal between two antennas, to transmit up to 100 GB between a transmitter and a receiver. To do so, our team aims to demonstrate this use case on the D-band – between 110 GHz and 180 GHz – and to develop their own circuits, using a SiGe and InP technology.

JCAS

Joint Communication And Sensing, whose demonstration will be made by KIT and IMST, offers unique perspectives for new 6G use cases in Europe, especially in the field of industry and automation.

As said by Daniel Martini from IMST : “JCAS is increasingly finding its way into future 6G systems. By using the same hardware for sensing and communication, resources and costs can be saved. On the other hand, compromises have to be found in terms of spectral usage, synchronization, signal and system design. In X-TREME 6G, system aspects are analyzed with the help of demonstrators and optimal solutions for various applications are sought.“

On his end, Benjamin Nuss, from KIT, completed: “JCAS will become one of the new key features of 6G, as it enables environmental sensing and detection independent of active mobile devices. This could, for example, prevent accidents between automated guided vehicles and workers in large production halls. In X-TREME 6G, a demonstrator is being built to evaluate all aspects of the necessary hardware and software, from the antenna, frontend, and baseband to the signal processing for detecting objects in the area around the base station. The findings of the project can be used, for example, to improve the hardware and to efficiently implement signal processing algorithms for the new JCAS application.”

Here as well, efforts will focus on investing the D-Band, to make of JCAS a constitutive part of 6G’s future in Europe.

Non Terrestrial Networks

Who knew the future of 6G in Europe could also take place in Space ? Our partner ETH Zurich surely did !

Under the supervision of Professor Hua Wang, demonstrating NTN as a use case for the future of 6G in Europe could lead to tremendeous advancements for connectivity and the saving of major infrasctructural costs, especially for remote areas.

Here, efforts will focus on investing the Q/V band (55 GHz), to build circuits that will equip LEO (low earth orbit) satellites, to test how those satellites can be used as a way to give remote areas access to high speed connectivity.

Network as a Sensor

The demonstration of NaS (Network as a Sensor) as a 6G platform will be orchestrated by three of our partners: POLIMI, Nokia and Orange.

Under the leadership of Francesco Musumeci, from POLIMI’s BONSAI lab, NaS and 6G shall team up to develop unique environmental sensing and network management applications. As said by Francesco „Imagine networks that don’t just connect but also sense, adapt, and optimize in real time. That’s the future we’re building! The Network as a Sensor (NaS) demonstrator is set to revolutionize 6G by unlocking visionary use cases in environmental sensing and advanced network management. Powered by flexible and scalable AI-based building blocks, the NaS software platform – developed in X-TREME 6G – will be a technological cornerstone for integrating 6G-ready sensing capabilities in next-gen networks!“.

Private 6G networks

The 6G private network platofrm will be built by our partner p-NET, with the aim of securizing public 6G network to make them fit to the needs of private companies.

As explained by Charalabos Gizas: “Private and emerging 6G networks are becoming foundational enablers for Europe’s 6G innovation agenda, providing flexible, end-to-end secure testbeds for validating advanced use cases such as JCAS, sub-THz and non Terrestrial communications. Unlike traditional lab environments, these private networks support full protocol stacks, real-time system evaluation, and modular integration via open and standardized interfaces, creating a realistic and scalable ecosystem for co-developing microelectronics and communications technologies essential to Europe’s technological sovereignty in the 6G era.”

With all those demonstrators, X-TREME 6G aims to build and deploy 6G networks that will be tailor-made to the needs of European communities and businesses, dedicated to efficiency, speed, innovation, and sustainability.

For more information on the future of 6G in Europe and how X-TREME 6G aims to contribute to it, stay tuned, and follow us on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/x-treme-6g/about

X-TREME 6G project has received fundings from the Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU) under the Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement NO 101192681.