6G-BRICKS

The Follow Me Connectivity (FMC) use case addresses the challenge of maintaining stable, high-quality connectivity in complex indoor environments using Frequency Range 2 (FR2) spectrum, where signal penetration and reliability are severely affected by obstacles, non-line-of-sight conditions, and user mobility. These limitations are especially critical for bandwidth-intensive applications such as Extended Reality (XR) in industrial environments.

FMC leverages Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS) combined with user localization and real-time radio monitoring to dynamically enhance signal propagation. The solution introduces an O-RAN-compliant RAN application (xApp) that fuses localization information from the 5G Core Location Management Function (LMF) with radio Key Performance Metrics (KPM) collected from the RAN. Based on this information, the xApp dynamically configures RIS elements in real time to redirect beams and optimize signal quality as users move through indoor spaces.

The primary application scenario focuses on XR-based machine inspection in industrial environments. An inspector equipped with XR/AR glasses navigates a factory or multi-story building while the FMC system ensures uninterrupted high-data-rate connectivity, including in non-line-of-sight conditions. Machine learning techniques within the xApp learn the relationship between user position, channel conditions, and optimal RIS configurations, enabling adaptive and predictive connectivity control.

The use case operates on the EURECOM testbed and integrates an OAI-based 5G gNB and Core Network with LMF support, RIS hardware, FlexRIC with a RIS Service Model, and XR/AR wearable devices. The system is fully non-intrusive, requiring no modifications to RIS hardware or 5G specifications, and follows 6G-BRICKS principles of openness, interoperability, reusability, and alignment with O-RAN and ETSI standards.