6G-SANDBOX signs a Memorandum of Understanding with ITRI to investigate 6G
The MORSE Research Group of the Institute of Technology and Software Engineering of the University of Malaga, collaborates in this project that aims to develop a large-scale experimental platform throughout the European Union for emerging 6G technologies.
On 8 November 2023, 6G-SANDBOX, a pan-European test bed for 6G experimentation funded by the Joint Undertaking for Smart Networks and Services under Horizon Europe, announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI). This agreement aims to encourage collaboration between European and Taiwanese companies for 6G research, thus linking 6G-SANDBOX test beds to Taiwan’s telecommunications ecosystem.
ITRI and 6G-SANDBOX will delve into pioneering 6G research topics, focusing on areas such as Communications and Joint Sensors (JCAS) and Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS). The ITRI, which acts as a crucial catalyst within the Taiwanese ecosystem, will actively invite companies to participate in the MoU. In addition, ITRI will facilitate the access of 6G-SANDBOX test benches to essential components, including 5G cores, 5G O-RAN base stations, SMO/RIC management platforms, JCAS frameworks and advanced emulation and network planning tools. To mark the start of this collaboration, ITRI visited the 6G-SANDBOX test bench in Malaga on 8 November.
ITRI is a world-leading research organisation recognised for its commitment to industrial innovation and technological advancement. Having spearheaded 5G technology in various domains such as network infrastructure, wireless communication systems, antenna design, chipsets and applications, ITRI remains deeply committed to both fundamental and applied research. With an approach now shifting from the development of 5G to 6G technology, ITRI is shaping the future landscape of communication networks.
6G-SANDBOX was launched in January 2023, with Keysight Technologies as project coordinator, along with sixteen other organizations (COSMOTE; EURESCOM; FOGUS Innovations & Services P.C.; Fraunhofer FOKUS; ICTFICIAL OY, INFOLYSIS P.C.; Instituto de Tecnología y Ingeniería del Software (ITIS) de la Universidad de Málaga; Lenovo; IS-Wireless (ISRD); Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas “DEMOKRITOS” (NCSRD); Nokia eXtended Reality Lab; OpenNebula Sytems SL; OWO; Queen’s University Belfast; Telefónica and University of Oulu).
6G-SANDBOX combines digital and physical nodes to deliver fully configurable, manageable and controllable end-to-end networks to validate new technologies and research advances for 6G. It will enable entities across the European Union (EU) to test promising 6G technical enablers, including network automation, cybersecurity, digital twins and artificial intelligence (AI), as well as technologies that streamline energy consumption.
6G-SANDBOX will provide an evolving experimental infrastructure for the duration of the SNS programme, where companies and research institutions will be able to test and validate their new technologies. Experimenters can use the platform by contacting the https://6g-sandbox.eu/.
Pang-An Ting, Director-General of ITRI’s Information and Communication Research Laboratories, shared ITRI’s recent developments in the ICT sector. “During our visit to Gothenburg for this year’s EuCNC and 6G Summit, ITRI worked closely with leading figures from academia and the 6G industry. We explore strong research and development partnerships with European counterparts. I am also pleased to announce that ITRI has successfully joined the esteemed ranks of 6G-IA. By seamlessly integrating Taiwan’s experimental technologies, applications and networks into 6G-SANDBOX test beds, we are paving the way for collaborative experimentation for people in Europe and Taiwanese companies and institutes, focusing on 5G and 6G technologies. Auray Technology has expressed great interest in contributing with its OTIC expertise, including the intelligent RAN controller and safety testing. Going forward, we plan to extend invitations to Universities and other Taiwanese companies, aligning our shared commitment to innovate 5G networks and define 6G standards”.
“Through a strong interconnection between the 6G-SANDBOX test benches and the ITRI experimental network, we aim to create a comprehensive research platform for 6G applications,” said Michael Dieudonne, 6G-SANDBOX coordinator. ” This MoU will enhance our ability to work with opinion leaders from around the world and conduct joint experiments to achieve greater advances in wireless communications”.
The 6G-SANDBOX project has received funding from the Joint Undertaking for Intelligent Services and Networks (SNS JU) under the Horizon Europe research and innovation programme of the European Union under Grant Agreement No 101096328.