6G-SANDBOX

ANALYSAT implemented three new functionalities (NWDAF, location information capability, multi-link backhaul management) by integrating and enhancing results from previous H2020 and ESA ARTES projects to extend the capabilities of 6G-SANDBOX testbeds. Moreover, ANALYSAT demonstrated how the new proposed functionalities can jointly support the introduction of novel management features for network automation in satellite enabled mobile networks. This is achieved through the implementation of a use case application that exploits the information data from the new Network Data Analytics exposed by the mobile network to automatically select between satellite and terrestrial backhaul link technologies based on aggregated mobility and traffic load analytics data as well as on the basis of predictions built via ML techniques.

Integrating the solutions proposed in ANALYSAT, 6G-SANDBOX experimenters will be able to retrieve network KPIs and information of UEs’ localization in Athens and Malaga testbeds, which can be used to develop new network-aware applications or service management solutions, possibly based on data analytics and ML techniques. Moreover, the possibility to programme dynamically the multi-link transport network will allow to experiment with new end-to-end resource allocation schemas, placement algorithms, and strategies for network planning and automated optimisation. On top of the new functionalities, new platform capabilities and extensions can be developed by technology providers to improve network operation, management, and performance, in the target 6G-SANDBOX facilities, in support of 6G service applications.
The solutions delivered in ANALYSAT derive from existing software assets already demonstrated in relevant environments (around TRL 6).

They have been extended and adapted for integration in the 6G-SANDBOX NCSRD testbed during the project, making them ready to be used and exploited by 3rd party experimenters.