Keysight Technologies and Ericsson have collaborated to develop a pre-standard 6G network proof of concept, which will be presented at the IEEE International Conference on Communications 2024. The demonstration at the show will showcase a prototype 6G protocol stack, using an Ericsson base station and an emulated user equipment (UE) supplied by Keysight.
The exploration of new frequency ranges for 6G wireless communication systems is ongoing, leveraging bandwidth and available spectrum. Using higher spectrum involves several development challenges, particularly those related to radio frequency (RF) propagation in these bands. Additionally, the current 5G protocol stack needs modifications to support the larger bandwidths and higher carrier frequencies required for 6G applications, which have not yet been tested or deployed in real-world settings.
This demonstration, based on Ericsson’s pre-standard 6G concept and designed for new spectrum bands, is an initial step towards validating a 6G protocol stack. The modified 5G stack has been developed using real-world hardware to establish a connection between a base station and an emulated UE. Starting with a simple digital interface, the teams collaborated to test various aspects of the protocol within the context of wider bandwidths, showcasing the stack’s potential effectiveness.
Freddie Södergren, Vice President, Head of Technology & Strategy for Business Area Networks at Ericsson, said: “As we navigate the early stages of 6G development, our focus is on learning and exploring the transformative potential of future technologies. Exploring new frequency bands creates a collaborative environment where diverse players can come together to shape the future contours of connectivity and technological innovation, ensuring that such advanced technologies are integrated seamlessly and sustainably into our connected world.”
Giampaolo Tardioli, Vice President, 6G and Next Generation Technology at Keysight, said: “By working closely with Ericsson throughout the development process, our two teams have been able to rapidly create a working link and show the feasibility of this technology. The learnings from the project are helping us to ensure that our solutions are 6G capable and ready in time to enable our customers to be first to market.”
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