CEA-Leti spearheads two EU projects for 6G

CEA-Leti in Grenoble is taking the lead in advancing 6G technology capabilities and boosting standardization efforts across Europe by coordinating two groundbreaking projects.

The projects, named 6G-DISAC (Distributed Intelligent Sensing and Communication) and 6G-GOALS (Goal-Oriented AI-enabled Learning and Semantic Communication Networks), kicked off their three-year initiatives in January with collaboration from partners across the EU and UK.

This marks a significant milestone as CEA-Leti becomes the first research organization or company to coordinate two competitive EU proposals within the same initiative. The projects were selected as part of a competitive process by the €130m Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU), with a total of 27 projects chosen.

The SNS JU expressed enthusiasm for the projects, stating that they represent a major step forward in advancing smart networks and services, offering innovative solutions, experimental platforms, and large-scale trials that will shape the future of digital connectivity.

The 6G-DISAC project aims to develop an intelligent infrastructure using 6G technologies that are widely distributed. This approach differs from current methods that rely on centralized architectures for communication and sensing, instead opting for distributed base stations and advanced signal processing.

According to Emilio Calvanese Strinati, the project coordinator, the goal is to bring the integrated sensing and communication vision into reality by tracking connected user equipment and passive objects through innovative technologies like multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) and intelligent sensing activation.

Furthermore, the project will focus on applications such as extended reality, robot-human interaction, vehicular safety functions, and enhancing communication performance indicators through sensing-aided communications.

The 6G-GOALS project is centered around reducing data traffic by transmitting only relevant information and developing data-efficient protocols that can adapt to network conditions using AI/ML techniques.

Project coordinator Calvanese Strinati highlighted the importance of considering the value and relevance of transmitted data, aiming to create a semantic and goal-oriented communication paradigm that leverages AI technologies for cooperative generative AI.

Instead of simply transferring data, semantic communication fosters a shared understanding among intelligent agents, paving the way for more efficient and effective communication in future networks.

A recent paper authored by participants of the 6G-GOALS project emphasized the need to integrate communication, computation, control, and intelligence to meet the evolving requirements of AI-driven mobile network architectures.

Mauro Boldi Renato, EU project program coordinator at TIM, underscored the importance of these projects in exploring the potential of AI/ML solutions for future networks, particularly in joint communication, sensing, and semantic communications.

Collaborating with CEA-Leti is seen as a crucial step towards realizing the vision of 6G technology by 2030 and driving European industry towards the implementation of advanced communication strategies.

CEA-Leti's track record in coordinating EU projects, such as the recently completed RISE-6G initiative, demonstrates their commitment to innovation in wireless communication technologies. The results of the 6G-DISAC and 6G-GOALS projects are expected to revolutionize the industry, enabling manufacturers and industrial players to develop intelligent networks and AI-driven communication strategies that meet the demands of future applications.

For more information, visit www.leti-cea.com.