Phase 2 Key Achievements

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Phase 2 Key Achievements  from the 5G PPP include
60 highlighted results from the phase 2 projects categorised under
14 program level achievements as shown by the symbols here.
Please click on the symbols to see the relevant results.

Click here to see the Phase 1 Key Achievements

 

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5G Performance Evaluation Framework

5G-V2X Evaluation Framework and Business Case Calculations (5GCAR)

  • Automotive services KPIs for advanced driving Use Case Classes (aka service requirements in telecom world) were derived. Automotive KPIs are related to driving manoeuvres performances, e.g. time to complete a lane merging process. Based on these service KPIs, we derived the network KPIs to support vehicle manoeuvres required by cooperative and automated vehicles. Each UCC enables a different functionality and consists of various use cases. Each use case analyses the respective functionality or operation in a different context (i.e., road conditions, road environment, level of automation etc). For each of them, a study based on KPI have been made focusing into three categories: automotive requirements, network requirements and qualitative requirements. The developed technical components must be able to fulfil these service requirements. However, another burning point is the so called V2X business case, its unique business modelling, business case calculations and its analysis for holistic mobile, road and service provider involvement. Major driver and contributions to 5GPPP WG Automotive 1st published white paper (Automotive WP). Based on 5GCAR service KPIs, network and radio KPIs are derived and evaluated in 5GCAR demo systems (lane merging, see-through, VRU positioning). Another novelty are V2X channels models for SL (sidelink) where LOS and NLOS probabilities between car transceivers have been modelled to assess TRX methods and performances.

Advanced Framework for the Validation and Optimization of 5G Technical Components (ONE5G)

  • ONE5G is designing technical components enabling 5G to address a wide variety of deployment types, services and verticals. The project has developed a complete framework, from requirements guiding the development of the 5G technical components to the tools for integration and validation of these technical components. Challenges and requirements for the design and optimization of the 5G technical components are set by the deployment scenarios defined in the project, from the very dense and crowded urban environments, to remote and scarcely populated areas, and by the use cases and the related KQIs and KPIs, encompassing various verticals. Technical components are assessed and validated through various means: system-level simulations to evaluate their capacities and benefits, integration into proof-of-concept to confirm their performance. This framework also includes a cost evaluation through a techno-economic analysis on Automotive, Smart city, long range connectivity and Non-Terrestrial Networks use for emergency communications use cases.  Further details are available in deliverables D2.1, D2.2 and D5.1.

5G System, Functional, Logical& Physical Architectures

5GV2X System and Network Architecture (5GCAR)

  • V2X slicing and network architecture were defined in 1st 5GCAR project year. Major emphasis is on specification and evaluation by simulations and testbeds of 5GV2X technical components for architecture. Goal of a 5GV2X architecture is to maximise reliability and minimizing delay requirements for V2X mission critical applications. For the network related parts we can outline following concepts and methods: Road Side Unit enabled Smart Zone (SM-Zone), Self-Optimising Network based multi-mode RSU for efficient QoS support and congestion control, SL and Uu multi-connectivity for high reliable and/or high data rate V2V communication, location aware scheduling, infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) for vehicular domain, redundant mode SL + Uu, evolution of infrastructure-based communication for localised V2X traffic, use case aware multi-RAT, multi-link connectivity, multi operator solutions for V2X communications, V2X service negotiation, edge computing in millimetre Wave Cellular V2X networks, dynamic selection of SL and Uu communication modes, 5G core network evolution for edge computing-based mobility

5G Network Solutions for Dense, Ultra-Dense and Hotspot Areas (5G-PHOS)

  • The project targets a network architecture that might have interoperability with legacy cellular networks and flexibility in such a way that new alternatives for radio access network architectures can yet be developed according to a specific use case. 5G-PHOS aims at a new fronthaul architecture known as cloud radio access network (C-RAN) for increasing scalability, manageability, and flexibility of mobile systems where both fiber and wireless solutions are combined to support ultra-high bandwidth in the V-band region, ultra-low latency, and dense coverage. The 5G-PHOS C-RAN moves parts of the control and signal processing functionalities from cell sites to centralized locations like a central office. This will be possible thanks to the novel hardware developed by 5G-PHOS, the so-called Flexbox. 5G-PHOS will validate the capacity and functionalities of the Flexbox device assuming different use cases like dense area and hot-spot area and considering an analog RoF C-RAN fronthaul network with support to multiple interfaces. All the public deliverables published so far can be found at the 5G-PHOS website, http://www.5g-phos.eu.

Content Delivery Network Evaluation for Multicast/Broadcast in 5G (5G-XCast)

Definition Converged Fixed-Mobile 5G Core Network with Multicast/Broadcast Capabilities (5G-XCast)

Space Division Multiplexing in Radio Access Networks (BlueSPACE)

  • The introduction of SDM and its combination with both ARoF and DRoF fronthaul as well as optical beamforming opens new options for RAN architectures on the physical as well as logical layer. blueSPACE investigates SDM based RAN architectures and will validate their viability for both traditional DRoF and novel ARoF fronthaul. The additional multiplexing degree or degree of freedom gained when combining SDM with WDM will be investigated for applications with ultra-large capacity needs and resource allocation and network optimization for a combined wavelength and spatially multiplexed RAN will be investigated. Exploitation of the advantages of an SDM network will be seamlessly enabled by exposing the properties and capabilities of the combined WDM/SDM fronthaul network through the blueSPACE SDN and NFC framework.

Integration of Satellite in 5G System, Architecture Options Defined and Partly Demonstrated (SAT5G)

  • The architecture options have been defined and analysed in the project and are reflected in two project deliverables and also in a technical report to ETSI/SES/SCN (Work Item: DTR/SES-00405 – TR 103 611: “Satellite Earth Stations and Systems (SES); Seamless integration of satellite and/or HAPS (High Altitude Platform Station) systems into 5G system and related architecture options”). At the EuCNC 2018 event, a variation of Scenario A3 – Indirect mixed 3GPP NTN access with bent-pipe payload architecture option was demonstrated successfully using in orbit geostationary satellite resources and an SDN/NFV/MEC-enabled prototype 5G testbed to showcase the efficient edge content delivery. Further validation and demonstrations will be made using multiple testbeds, to include integration of orchestration and satellite service provider OSS and integration with 5GNR, at EuCNC 2019 and also towards the end of the project in an industry dissemination event. An architecture White Paper is also being prepared in time for release at EuCNC 2019.
    SaT5G deliverable D3.2, Integrated SaT5G Detail Network Architecture, and SaT5G deliverable D3.3, Integral End to End Service Delivery Architecture. Both of these public deliverables are available here: http://sat5g-project.eu/public-deliverables/

5G Flexible RAN

Resource Elasticity (5G-MoNArch)

  • When setting up a slice without stringent service requirements, one of the key desired features will be that of elasticity; this is needed in all cases where resource overprovisioning is not a valid option either due to the actual resource availability (e.g., in the edge of the network) or due to the dynamic nature of network load, which makes difficult the efficient dimensioning of a network slice. In those cases, temporal and spatial traffic fluctuations may require that the network dimensions resources such that, in case of peak demands, the network adapts its operation and re-distributes available resources as needed. We refer to this flexibility as resource elasticity, which includes the ability i) to scale resources according to the demand, and ii) to gracefully scale the network operation when insufficient resources are available. Further details are available in D4.1 “Architecture and mechanisms for resource elasticity provisioning” and the upcoming D4.2 “Final design and evaluation of resource elastic functions”.

5G Platform-based Built-to-order Design (NGPaaS)

  • To ensure maximal flexibility and meet the business and technical requirements of the different 5G use-cases, NGPaaS adopts the cloud native principles based on service-based architecture and a new modelling based on Reusable Function Block, to abstract, decompose and deploy the different PaaSes (e.g. CORD, Kubernetes, Swarm, PaaS based MANO). These latter are customized to the needs and the requirements for the supported services. Three typical use-cases are selected to be prototyped and deployed in a Paris-Saclay Pilot demonstrating a sub-set of features developed in the project like the telco-grade Kubernetes, Monitoring as a service, new OSS design etc. (Realizing the NGPaaS)

E2E-Aware Performance Optimization through Advanced Management of Radio Resources and of Multi-link/Multi-node Connectivity (ONE5G)

  • ONE5G is developing RAN-based techniques optimizing E2E characteristics. The project relies on the characterization of E2E user experience through Key Quality Indicators (KQIs) to optimize E2E performance, but also leverages on context awareness to further improve the E2E performance. Advanced Radio resource Management optimizations are proposed, such as RRC state handling and discontinuous reception, or resource allocation methods to simultaneously address diverse service requirements (e.g. latency, reliability, throughput). The project also proposes network optimizations building on multi-link / multi node connectivity. The presence of multiple links / multiple nodes is exploited to better adjust the network configuration to the actual needs, e.g. using multiple links for data duplication (increasing throughput) or data duplication (enhancing reliability). It also includes solutions for QoE balancing, using context information and traffic prediction, and spectrum management, exploiting both licensed and unlicensed bands. Further details are available in deliverable D3.1.

5G Flexible Transport Networks with SDN Capabilities (5G-PHOS)

  • 5G-PHOS addresses the development of a flexible integrated fiber-wireless (FiWi) packetized fronthaul with support to radio-optical beamforming as well as network resource slicing features. To do so, the project considers both innovative medium-transparent dynamic bandwidth allocation (MT-DBA) algorithms and programmable software defined networking (SDN) techniques. These technologies can scale the network resources in a flexible fashion according to the traffic demand and provide efficient management of 5G-PHOS FiWi fronthaul network resources. The 5G-PHOS project, via MT-DBA and SDN capabilities, will enable the creation of a framework to deliver new advanced services regardless of the network scheme allowing telecom operators and network owners to exploit novel services, applications and markets. The most relevant deliverables that have been published so far are D5.1, D6.1 and D6.2 and they are available online at http://www.5g-phos.eu/index.php/documents/public-deliverables

Novel 5G Radio Systems and Air Interface

Technical Components for 5GV2X Radio Links (5GCAR)

  • For New Radio (NR), 5GCAR has achieved integrated network and sidelink design for comfort driving use cases, i.e. non-safety V2X use cases. V2N, V2I, V2P and V2V links are addressed by this integrated design. Use of advanced antenna techniques for vehicular car terminals. Novel PHY and MAC methods for vehicular UEs. Technical Components were developed for in-coverage, out-of-coverage network situations, passenger related services and ITS related services (NR V2X solutions). In the following, the technical component areas are briefly described: V2X beam management and methods, scheduling of delay sensitive and MBB traffic, HARQ for high mobility, reliability enhancements on radio links and for network user plane, sidelink RRM for synchronization, pilot design, full duplex link support, 5G positioning for VRUs. Positioning is one of the key solutions for Connected Automated Mobility and we have focused on following sub-solutions like Trajectory prediction with channel bias compensation and tracking, beam-based V2X positioning, tracking of a vehicle’s position and orientation with a single base station in the downlink, harnessing data communication for low latency positioning, enhanced assistance messaging scheme for GPS and OTDOA positioning.

Definition 5G Point-to-Multipoint RAN (5G-XCast)

  • Leveraging on the state-of-the-art point-to-multipoint (PTM) radio access network (RAN) technologies and on-going related work in different standardisation groups including 3GPP RAN, the design of a comprehensive and holistic 5G PTM RAN solution has been carried out in the 5G-XCast, to support the coexistence of PTM and point-to-point (PTP) transmissions and different PTM services with a variety of very diverse requirements. Such design, in line with the 3GPP release 15 specifications, includes a cloud-RAN based multicast RAN architecture and interfaces, with flexible air interface configurations as well as PTM radio access technology protocols.
    D3.1: http://5g-xcast.eu/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/5G-Xcast_D3.1_v1.1_web.pdf 
    D3.2: http://5g-xcast.eu/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/5G-Xcast_D3.2_v2.00_web.pdf

Advanced Multi-link Access and Interference Management Supported by Massive MIMO (ONE5G)

  • ONE5G develops link level aspects not yet covered in the first phase of 5G, but which are crucial to meet the objectives of 5G. Several solutions are proposed in the project to enable and enhance the concurrent operation of multiple services from distinct categories (eMBB, URLLC, mMTC), such as dedicated access solutions to meet the requirements of latency and reliability for URLLC services (e.g. pre-emptive scheduling, enhanced retransmission schemes, grant-free access for avoiding scheduling delays), or to support the massive access of devices in the case of mMTC (Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access (NOMA) and grant-free access for efficient resource sharing). Solutions are developed for interference management, with coordinated transmissions both for Centralized Radio Access Networks (CRAN) and for Distributed Radio Access Networks (DRAN).  And the project addresses massive MIMO by designing flexible and low-complexity solutions for massive MIMO, targeting practical implementation (e.g. antenna arrays, or beamforming techniques). Further details are available in deliverable D4.1.

5G Building Network Architecture (IoRL)

  • The IoRL architecture has been finalised and is being widely disseminated throughout the world but is being updated in the light of the practical experience obtained in the integration process. The main features of the architecture are: Multicomponent carrier VLC / mmWave 5G compatible transmission system.  Small electronic foot print consisting of upconversion and amplifier for integration in a light system. 5G protocol processing incorporated within a parallel processing pipeline consisting of Intelligent Home IP Gateway, Layer 2 processor, Distributed RAN and RRLH Controller. Manmade multipath environment from MISO downlink and SIMO uplink multipath diversity from four or more RRLHs per room to overcome binary nature of mmWave and VLC communication channels. Intra Handover between rooms in buildings using Layer 2 Radio Resource Control (RRC)  algorithms. Inter handover between building and outside 5G networks either using concept of common P-Gateway for buildings or common C-Gateway  between gNB and Core. VLC RSS and mmWave TDoA Location estimation algorithms with < 10 cm accuracy with a Location VNF. Multiple source streaming and transcoding algorithms for guaranteed communications from both high bitrate IoRL system and lower bitrate WLAN system.

Technology Enablers for 5G RAN Platforms (HW & SW)

Cloud-aware Protocol Stack (5G-MoNArch)

  • The aim is to provide the flexibility to shift NFs to nodes (Virtual Machines) that better fit the specific requirements of each service. As a result, NFs traditionally co-located in the same node may now be placed in different nodes. However, for traditional protocol stacks, placing certain NFs with heavy inter-dependencies in different nodes may incur considerable overheads or may simply be impossible. This may compromise the overall gains obtained from the flexible function allocation. To overcome this problem, one of the key innovations needed to fully leverage the benefits of the flexible function decomposition and allocation is the redesign of the protocol stack, which we call the cloud-aware protocol stack. The aim is to relax and (as much as possible) remove the logical and temporal dependencies between NFs, with the goal of providing a higher flexibility in their placement. This topic has been tackled in D2.2 “Initial overall architecture and concepts for enabling innovations”.

Innovative Wireless and Optical Technologies for Next Generation 5G RANs (5G-PHOS)

  • Analog RoF (A-RoF) fronthauling solutions are under investigation aiming to substitute current spectrally inefficient and technology-limited digital techniques. The project addresses innovative analog optical transceivers capable of handling intermediate frequency carriers along with advanced modulation formats. This can be achieved thanks to the development of transceivers based on externally modulated laser (EML) and integrated in a common indium phosphide substrate. This solution enables native signals of several giga bauds to be loaded onto intermediate carriers at around 5 GHz using A-RoF techniques to be propagated over a fiber link. 5G-PHOS develops the design of novel antennas within the V-band region targeting multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) techniques which might enable interesting features such as user tracking, higher quality-of-service, and greater capacity. The project aims also at novel antenna design and Radio Frequency (RF) electronic technology as well as Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) such as reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexing (ROADM) and optical beamforming network (OBFN) functionalities. The public deliverables published so far can be found online at http://www.5gphos.eu/index.php/documents/public-deliverables. An interesting illustrative video addressing the key technology enablers of 5G-PHOS project can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shubgabZUTE.

ARoF Fronthaul and Optical Beamforming (BlueSPACE)

  • blueSPACE focusses on introducing analog radio-over-fiber (ARoF) fronthaul over an advanced space division multiplexing based RAN, combined with integrated optical beamforming networks. blueSPACE implements ARoF fronthaul transceivers to minimize optical bandwidth usage and to maximize centralization of signal processing functions at the CO, while using optical heterodyning to efficiently generate high-bandwidth mm-wave RF signals. Space division multiplexing augments the RAN capacity and allows for an additional degree of freedom in RAN design and operation. Optical beamforming maximizes available RF bandwidth and allows multi-beam transmission from a single antenna with narrow beams, minimizing interference and increasing potential frequency reuse. Combing these three technology enablers, ARoF, SDN and optical beamforming, blueSPACE will show a viable alternative for ultra-high capacity, densely deployed mm-wave RANs seamlessly supporting multi-beam transmission.

Carrier-grade Orchestration and Accelerated Microservices (NGPaaS)

  • A set of new features of orchestration and acceleration are implemented to meet the requirements of carrier-grade microservices. Several telco grade enhancements are achieved to meet data-plane-intensive telco workload or VNFs (support of NUMA-aware CPU pinning, huge pages, DPDK and SR-IOV). The one-network-interface-per-pod limitation of the native Kubernetes network model is also addressed together with the support of the SCTP protocol that is required for the interconnection between access and core mobile networks. Besides that, the support of acceleration (e.g. FPGA) in the microservice platform is provided. In order to validate the FPGA cloud acceleration layers, a Docker plugin and a Kubernetes device plugin working on Amazon/F1 cloud has been developed enabling FPGA offloading dynamic deployment. More information is available at project deliverable D4.1 and D4.2.

5G Fronthaul, Backhaul and Metrohaul

5G Transport Networks (FH/BH) Featuring a Disaggregated and Programmable Data Plane (5G-PICTURE)

  • 5G-PICTURE advocates for an integration of heterogeneous solutions in support of joint backhaul (BH) and fronthaul (FH) services. The disaggregated and programmable data plane comprises Open Packet Processors (OPPs), Wireless transport solutions – millimetre wave (mmWave) and massive MIMO, Optical Networks – passive (Passive Optical Network – PON) and active (Time Shared Optical Network – TSON) – as well as Ethernet solutions (Flex-E). These solutions have been investigated and are being extended to more efficiently support the demanding requirements of transport in converged FH and BH environments. Initial developments and evaluation results have been reported in deliverables D3.1 0 and D3.2 0[1]. The resulting transport network is integrated with centralised – data centres (DCs) – and edge compute (MEC) resources adopting a hybrid model combining both general and specific purpose processors. The 5G-PICTURE transport network will be able to dynamically and efficiently support flexible functional split options, to allow a Distributed Unit (DU) and a Centralized Unit (CU) to dynamically negotiate the RAN functional split to be used under specific network conditions. An improved portability of the hardware (HW) programming languages via the specification and design of language/target-independent “intermediate representations”. Physical and Virtual Functions, including support of the RAN protocol stack, virtualisation and synchronisation, have been discussed in deliverable D4.1 0. In deliverable D4.2 0, 5G-PICTURE has reported the implementation of RAN functional splits executed on programmable x86 HW, based on the OAI framework, including 3GPP splits 8, 7-1, and 6. Deliverables D4.1 and D4.2 present as well control plane aspects to achieve synchronisation as a service as well as specific synchronisation functions covering specific network technologies, e.g. 802.11ad mmWave and Sub-6.
    [1] 5G-PICTURE Deliverable D3.1, “Initial report on Data Plane Programmability and infrastructure components”, March 2018, pending EC Review, https://www.5g-picture-project.eu/download/5g-picture_d31.pdf
    [2] 5G-PICTURE Deliverable D3.2, “Intermediate report on Data Plane Programmability and infrastructure components”, November 2018, pending EC Review https://www.5g-picture-project.eu/download/5g-picture_D3.2.pdf
    [3] 5G-PICTURE Deliverable D4.1, “State of the art and initial function design”, February 2018, pending EC Review, https://www.5g-picture-project.eu/download/5g-picture_d41.pdf
    [4] 5G-PICTURE Deliverable D4.2, “Complete design and initial evaluation of developed functions”, November 2018, pending EC Review, https://www.5g-picture-project.eu/download/5g-picture_D4.2.pdf
    [5] 5G-PICTURE Deliverable D5.1, “Relationships between Orchestrators, Controllers, slicing systems”, November 2018, pending EC Review, https://www.5g-picture-project.eu/download/5g-picture_D5.1.pdf
    [6] 5G-PICTURE Deliverable D6.1, “Specification of Vertical Use cases and Experimentation plan”, November 2018, pending EC Review, https://www.5g-picture-project.eu/download/5g-picture_D6.1.pdf

High Capacity & Flexible Metro Optical Network with Edge Computing (METRO-HAUL)

  • Dynamic data plane with intelligent control plane involving multiple network segments and layers, spanning multiple geographical Data Centre (DC) locations and addressing resource heterogeneity including, notably, the optical transport. Without this data & control plane architectures, network resources supporting future 5G services would require enormous over provisioning, of both optical transport capacity across metro and core networks, and edge Data-Centre resources such as compute and storage.
    [1] Metro-Haul deliverable D2.1 “Definition of Use Cases, Service Requirements and KPIs
    [2] Metro-Haul deliverable D3.1 “Selection of metro node architectures and optical technology options”
    [3] Metro-Haul deliverable D4.1 “METRO-HAUL Control and Management Requirements and Framework”

Mobile Transport and Computing Platform (5G TRANSFORMER)

  • Mobile Transport and Computing Platform (5GT-MTP) to manage the underlying infrastructure of the 5G Integrated Transport Networks (FH/BH). Its functional architecture design is reported in D2.1, the initial software implementation of the MTP platform is released in D2.2 and published as open source on github: https://github.com/5g-transformer/5gt-mtp ): (1) Integration of heterogeneous wireless, optical and Ethernet solutions in support of joint BH and FH services, (2) Integration of transport network with centralised (DCs) and edge compute (MEC) resources, (3) Design APIs and abstractions of the infrastructure resources including networking and computing resources and (4) Cross-optimization of radio, transport and computation resources to provide efficient support for network slicing.

5G Autonomous Network Control and Management

Automated Slice Creation in the Edge Cloud (5G ESSENCE)

  • 5G ESSENCE addresses an enriched automated network slice creation integrated with the centralized RRM function in the Edge Cloud infrastructure using Network Slice Blueprinting in coordination with the Network Exposure Function. This novel approach constitutes a critical enabler for implementing a responsive, elastic and ultra-reliable Edge Cloud implementing the 5G Radio Access Network. 5G ESSENCE´s automated slice creation mechanism provides a complete description of the structure, configuration and the workflow for how to instantiate and control a network slice during its life cycle, enabling the instantiation of a network slice easily and rapidly depending on the demand on a given Edge Cloud according to its available resources and the utilized RAN PNF (Physical Network Function) resources, logically separating the definition or characterization of a network slice into two components: Network Connection Service and Network Resources Service.  While the Network Connection Service describes the service characteristics in terms of connectivity and radio level performance, the Network Connection Service defines the attributes that govern the performance of a given slice, as well as the real-time protocol stack resources to deploy in the RU and in the DU and DU hosting the cSD-RAN controller to meet the QoS requirements or SLAs of the service exposing some key Network KPIs at the 5G ESSENCE exporter service that exposes the network capabilities, performance and used resources to the RRM and the orchestration service in order to execute this key enabler function for deploying 5G services. (see also http://www.5g-essence-h2020.eu/Deliverables.aspx D3.1: Techniques for advanced radio resource centralised management and 5G network coordination)

NFV Service Platform and Orchestrator (BlueSPACE)

  • The blueSPACE NFV Service Platform orchestrates network slices and NFV network services across computing and networking domains, exploiting the mix of advanced capabilities provided by MEC resources and SDM/WDM optical fronthaul networks in 5G infrastructures. In particular, the blueSPACE orchestrator implements mechanisms to coordinate the allocation of MEC applications and VNFs in Mobile Edge hosts and cloud environments for end-to-end network slices. The provisioning of network slices is driven and customized based on service requests from verticals, to deliver eMBB, uRLLC or MTC slices that share the network infrastructure controlled via SDN technologies. The blueSPACE NFV Orchestrator integrates automated network management procedures, for jointly configuring the radio segment and the fronthaul/backhaul domains. Physical Network Functions (PNF) for RRHs and BBUs are managed through dedicated PNF managers and agents, while an extended TAPI is adopted to interact with a hierarchical SDN controller that operates over multi-technology domains, from the SDM/WDM-based fronthaul to the packet-based backhaul, up to the core network. blueSPACE Orchestrator is enhanced with resource allocation algorithms that optimize the combination of VM placement in edge and cloud hosts, multi-layer network connections across blueSPACE fronthaul/backhaul and RAN configuration in the access segment to deliver end-to-end slices that match the dynamicity and the QoS requirements of the vertical services.

MAPE-K (Hierarchical Monitoring Analysis Planning Acting) Optimization Loop in Operation (NRG-5)

  •  Real-time and quasi-real-time management and optimisation loop (also in a hierarchical way from smaller to higher or more extensive domains) is a project critical value-add, as the vertical energy deals with critical resources and services. A smart grid enables smart energy services providing which fine and (quasi-)real-time to tune control of resources with stringent requirements (on quality, latency, reliability, availability, resiliency, operation cost and efficiency), for which automatic and prompt mechanisms are mandatory. Website: http://www.nrg5.eu

Cognitive Network Management (SLICENET)

  • SliceNet addresses cognitive network management for network slice-based services, driven by the Quality of Experience (QoE) and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) in verticals’ use cases. SliceNet explores machine-learning techniques and establishes a MAPE (Monitor-Analyse-Plan-Execute) loop based cognition framework to enhance 5G network management capabilities significantly, in representative areas such as anomalies and faults detection, QoE/QoS optimisation, and resource management in network slicing. Consequently, the 5G ecosystem of various stakeholders can benefit from reduced operational expenditure, accelerated trouble-shooting, improved resource efficiency, optimised QoE and so on. These achievements will meet 5G requirements for novel solutions ensuring smart management operations that go beyond the conventional FCAPS (Fault, Configuration, Accounting, Performance and Security) management, especially to deal with the new challenges introduced by network softwarisation and virtualisation as well as the new paradigm based on network slicing. SliceNet overall logical architecture and cognitive network management considerations are described in project deliverables D2.2 and D2.4 respectively.

Real-Time Performance Monitoring & Analytics (METRO-HAUL)

  • Telemetry/monitoring framework which provides a global, real-time view of the E2E network performance. This new technology enables services configuration and reliable operation. It provides pro-active actions on early detection of issues. Machine-Learning within the decision engine allows this new Metro-Haul technology to continually learn and improve as real network data is collected. It includes state-of-the-art advanced planning, placement and re-optimization/re-configuration tools, enabling holistic (joint) optimization across heterogeneous resources.
    [1] Metro-Haul deliverable D4.1 “METRO-HAUL Control and Management Requirements and Framework”
    [2] Metro-Haul deliverable D2.2 “Functional Architecture Specifications and Functional Definition”

5G Multi-Domains Multi-Tenants Plug & Play Control Plane and Slicing Control

5GCity NFV Orchestration Platform for Neutral Host Model (5GCity)

  • The Neutral Host model is the mechanisms developed in 5GCity to allow city infrastructure owners to manage their core (i.e. city datacentre), edge (i.e. street cabinet) and far edge (i.e. lamppost) network infrastructures to host any entity willing to provide 5G services to end users (i.e. citizens). In 5GCity two main architectures of a Neutral 5G operator are being developed: a)  Multiple Operator Core Network (MOCN), in which the spectrum is shared by different Mobile Operators and the cabinet hosts centralised Small Cell components dedicated to the control of a cluster of physical Small Cells deployed in the city lampposts and other possible urban furniture; b) Multiple Operator Radio Access Network (MORAN), in which each Mobile Operator uses his own spectrum controlled by centralized Small Cell functions in the cabinet. The orchestration of non-homogeneous set of physical resources (computing, storage, wired network and wireless network deployed in the city) is realised through the 5GCity orchestrator, which includes NFVO (Network Functions Virtualization Orchestrator), specialized VNFMs (Virtualized Network Function Manager), Resource Placement algorithms for virtual resources (VNF) over different physical resources domain, VIM (Virtual Infrastructure Manager) for core and edge domains, SDN controller for the configuration of the back-haul and wireless network. A 5Gcity dashboard is used for the creation and visualization of the network slices. The design of the Neutral host and 5GCity orchestrator is described in Deliverable D2.2 (“5GCity Architecture & Interfaces Definition”) and Deliverable D4.1 (“Orchestrator design, service programming, and ML models”). 5GCity consortium is working to implement an orchestration solution validated with at least 3 concurrent tenants/slice owners, capable of creating slices ready for service instantiation in seconds in reference validation infrastructures in Barcelona (ES), Bristol (UK) and Lucca (IT). Details on infrastructures and use cases are reported in Deliverable D5.1 (“5GCity infrastructure design and definition”). Preliminary prototypes of the 5GCity platform have been demonstrated at EUCNC 2018 (Ljubljana, Slovenia) and ICT2018 (Vienna, Austria) and will be showcased with subsequent full-chain releases at MWC2019 and EUCNC 2019.

Multi-Domain Multi-Tenants Network Slicing (SLICENET)

  • SliceNet defines the various business roles and develops a set of enabling mechanisms to achieve federated cross-domain network slicing for the requested service of the agreed SLA. The main approach is based on cooperation of the involved players with different business roles, peer-to-peer negotiation among different administrative domains along the end-to-end service path and orchestration in the multi-domain context. It is noted that the multi-domain slice-based service creation and deployment advances the state of the art focusing on the single-domain case, and the associated complexity is hidden from the end user (e.g., a vertical business) who requests this service through SliceNet One-Stop API. These achievements will meet 5G requirements for truly end-to-end service creation and deployment, potentially across multiple administrative domains managed by different network operators, and thus multi-domain multi-tenant network slicing is essential to achieve various end-to-end slice-based 5G services. The vision of SliceNet multi-domain network slicing from the perspectives of the control plane and the management plane is presented in project deliverables D2.3 and D2.4 respectively.

Plug & Play Control for Verticals (SLICENET)

  • The SliceNet Plug & Play (P&P) control framework is a key enabler for advanced slice customisation. SliceNet P&P control provides a novel combination of tailored control functions, APIs and tools that are offered to vertical businesses to allow them to plug their own control logics according to their needs and on demand, thereby significantly enhancing user-controlled service provision and optimisation beyond the current network slicing systems. SliceNet P&P control plane provides an innovative per-slice control environment, which offers to the verticals (and in general to slice consumers) significantly enhanced degree of flexibility for deploying services to end users. For each slice instance, a vertical-tailored abstraction of the slice (including its view and control exposure) is presented to the vertical through SliceNet One-Stop API, and therefore tailored control functions can be plugged to specialise the behaviour and optimise the performance of the slice instance. These achievements will meet 5G requirements for highly customisable runtime control, management and operation of slice instances whilst offering vertical business tailored services for a broad range of use cases with diverging control requirements. The concept of SliceNet Plug & Play (P&P) control framework is introduced and developed in a series of project deliverables such as D2.2, D2.3 and D2.4.

5G Flexible and Agile Service Deployment

Edge Virtualization Platform (5GCity)

  • Edge computing nodes are typically non-homogeneous pools of resources located away from centralized datacenters, with limited capabilities due to constrained resources in terms of power, computing, connectivity. 5GCity consortium is working on mechanisms to create/extend virtualization technologies in order to minimize resource demand, optimize performance and increase security and robustness of the 5GCity platform. To address the optimized and automatic build of unikernel-based virtual functions, the project is developing enhancements to Unikraft https://www.xenproject.org/developers/teams/unikraft.html,), an open source incubation project under the auspices of the Xen Project and Linux Foundation. To implement trusted computing environments at the edge of the infrastructure, the project is developing also an EdgeVIM capable of remote attestation/authentication of virtual functions, compute node host OS integrity check, geographic fencing, asset tagging. To implement the network virtualization over the wireless links, 5GCity is developing a RAN Resource Manager capable to control and configure via SDN controller Wi-Fi nodes and small cells of the 5GCity infrastructure. The design of all these components is publicly available in Deliverable D3.1 (“5GCity Edge Virtualization Infrastructure Design”) and will be showcased as part of the MWC2019 and EUCNC 2019 demonstrations. Our edge virtualization platform and guest optimizations will use Virtual Function images <10 MB, capable of throughput in 10s of Gb/s and very short boot times (< 100s msec in case of ARM32 platforms or < 10s of msec for x86 platforms). The RAN Resource Manager will implement a wireless virtualization for 802.11 radios with throughput > 1 Gb/s and strict isolation guarantees among the tenants.

Unikernel-based VNF Deployment Framework (5G ESSENCE)

  • 5G ESSENCE is defining a Unikernel VNF Creation and Deployment Framework named unikraft, to reduce the required virtual resources in a distributed Cloud Edge datacentre reducing the deployment time and VM footprint for an increased VM density on the network edge in terms of memory and storage resources. To make unikernel development a less costly endeavour and broaden their applicability over the different VNF flavours tailored to different 5G edge services, SDN functions and Protocol Stack instances, the library system is designed to break down the unikernel code base into near-atomic pieces of functionality conforming the building blocks of unikraft. In this framework, a unikernel is created from the application code itself, as well as a number of main libraries which provide needed functionality such as a network stack, file system support, standard C library bindings, and other application-specific dependencies like DPDK (Data Plain Development Kit) for dataplane processing. These are then compiled with one or several platform libraries, where a platform denotes the execution environment, and one or several architecture libraries and hardware accelerators, which provide support for certain hardware architectures, such as x86 or ARM having a significantly enhanced degree of flexibility for deploying services to end users in the 5G ESSENCE Edge Cloud.  (see also http://www.5g-essence-h2020.eu/Deliverables.aspx D4.1: Optimisation of virtualisation, orchestration, and resource allocation)

Agile Service Orchestration Platform (5GTANGO)

  • The 5GTANGO project increases agility in network service management and orchestration by providing a service platform which is highly modular and supports multiple providers and infrastructures. 5GTANGO extends the service platform developed in the 5G-PPP phase 1 project SONATA with support for Service Level Agreements (SLAs), policy-based automation, and network slicing. Deliverable D5.1 (http://5gtango.eu/documents/D51_v1.pdf) specifies the component architecture and the defines the APIs between them. 5GTANGO adopts a Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) approach for software development, in order to quickly create adaptive, resilient, and reusable software components. The 5GTANGO Service Platform is delivered as open source under the SONATA trademark, as SONATA is today a reference on the ETSI NFV Management and Orchestration landscape.

Dev-for-Operations Model (NGPaaS)

  • For optimal collaboration in multi-organisational context, NGPaaS project is emphasizing the vision that 5G should be considered as a platform where many players can interact (FOSS, Third party, Vertical, Vendors, Operators). The new Dev-for-Operations model has been provided in NGPaaS. This model enhances the well-known DevOps paradigm commonly used in the IT industries making it possible to use an analogous approach in a telco-grade environment. The inner components into the Dev-for-Operations layer are grouped in three different frameworks: Monitoring, Management and CBTR (Coding, Building, Testing and Releasing). The different interfaces between that Dev-for-Operations layer and other elements in the NGPaaS architecture are provided. In addition, a typical Dev-for-Operations workflow considering different sides (vertical, vendors and the NGPaaS platform itself) is well defined. (Dev-for-Operations White Paper)

Network and Computing Slice Deployment Platform (MATILDA)

  • Supporting the creation and management of end-to-end network slices for hosting vertical application needs. The platform includes an extended OSS/BSS providing a set of northbound APIs, the Edge Computing Slice Manager supporting placement of edge computing applications, and the NFVO managing the overall lifecycle of network services.

E2E Orchestration across Optical, Packet, Wireless Virtualized Networks

Service Virtualization Platform (SVP) (5G-MEDIA)

  • The 5G-MEDIA platform Service Virtualization Platform (SVP) is built upon the Open Source MANO (OSM) NFV-MANO stack and focuses on the development, adaptation and extension of the following components: i) NFV MANO Service Orchestrator: This component will contain the NSD/VNFD catalogues and NS/VNF repositories customized to 5G-MEDIA project needs as well as the Network Service Orchestrator and the VNF Manager; ii) Media Service MAPE (Monitoring-Analyze-Planning-Execute): This component will realize a MAPE loop for the optimization of media services in terms of network requirements, e.g., latency, throughput etc. The 5G-MEDIA project will focus on the implementation of the Cognitive Network Optimizer (CNO), which represents the intelligence module integrated in the MAPE loop; iii) NFV MANO Resource Orchestrator: This component will contain the mechanisms for the deployment of media services on the Network Function Virtualization Infrastructures (NFVIs). The 5G-MEDIA project will provide two new Virtualized Infrastructure Manager (VIMs), in addition to those supported by OSM, i.e. the Function as a Service (FaaS) VIM, which enables the use of the so-called FaaS concept and the OpenNebula VIM, which enables the connection of OSM to OnLife NFVI provided by TID. (see also http://www.5gmedia.eu/outcomes/deliverables/ D3.1: Initial design of the 5G-MEDIA Operations and Configuration Platform, D3.2: Specification of the 5G-MEDIA Serverless Computing Framework, D3.3  Specification of the 5G-MEDIA QoS Control and Management Tools

E2E Orchestration, Network Softwarisation and Programmability integrating SDN and NFV technologies (5G-PICTURE)

  • 5G-PICTURE proposes the 5G Operating System (OS) to abstract the complexities of the underlying 5G infrastructure and to provide the common functionalities required for efficient and flexible service and slice management and orchestration. The components of the 5G OS are organised in a hierarchical manner, propagating service and slice management requests towards the actual infrastructure. Services are described in the context of network slices, formed from connectivity and network functions, running over heterogeneous networks divided into one or more domains (technology-based or administrative). Some important interfaces in the 5G OS are those between Orchestrator – Controller and Controller – MANO. Control and orchestration of resources through flexible service chaining. In deliverable D5.1 0 a detailed description of the realization of the 5G OS is provided, capturing the architecture and inter-relations of slicing systems, controllers and orchestrators. Moreover, simulation results showing the scalability of the adaptable, hierarchical design of 5G OS have been presented. WP5, investigated also the feasibility and benefits of defining and orchestrating services with a flexible structure, consisting of multi-version components. Each component is a virtual or programmable physical NF, provided in multiple SW versions, optimised for running on different HW platforms, e.g., a low-cost VM-based network function and a high-performance FPGA-accelerated function.
    [1] 5G-PICTURE Deliverable D3.1, “Initial report on Data Plane Programmability and infrastructure components”, March 2018, pending EC Review, https://www.5g-picture-project.eu/download/5g-picture_d31.pdf
    [2] 5G-PICTURE Deliverable D3.2, “Intermediate report on Data Plane Programmability and infrastructure components”, November 2018, pending EC Review https://www.5g-picture-project.eu/download/5g-picture_D3.2.pdf
    [3] 5G-PICTURE Deliverable D4.1, “State of the art and initial function design”, February 2018, pending EC Review, https://www.5g-picture-project.eu/download/5g-picture_d41.pdf
    [4] 5G-PICTURE Deliverable D4.2, “Complete design and initial evaluation of developed functions”, November 2018, pending EC Review, https://www.5g-picture-project.eu/download/5g-picture_D4.2.pdf
    [5] 5G-PICTURE Deliverable D5.1, “Relationships between Orchestrators, Controllers, slicing systems”, November 2018, pending EC Review, https://www.5g-picture-project.eu/download/5g-picture_D5.1.pdf
    [6] 5G-PICTURE Deliverable D6.1, “Specification of Vertical Use cases and Experimentation plan”, November 2018, pending EC Review, https://www.5g-picture-project.eu/download/5g-picture_D6.1.pdf

Extended MANO with Multi-domain Capabilities and Application-specific Components/Functions (NRG-5)

  • Though NRG5 has not developed all needed components, functions and features included in the big picture of the extended 5G PPP architecture, NRG5 designed and developed the missing elements or extensions to existing elements related to the specific domain of the energy vertical (i.e. domain-specific MANO and services). In these activities, NRG5 takes into account the integration and interoperability with the reference and complete architecture of 5G PPP for multi-domain service creation, leveraging also (dynamic) network slicing, (inter-)slicing brokering, (inter-)SDN features and management and orchestration of both physical and virtual functions, as well as of any virtualized infrastructure of computing, communication and storage resources (leveraging and inheriting all the benefits).  Website: http://www.nrg5.eu

Open Multi-Layer Disaggregated Network (METRO-HAUL)

  • Systematic and unified approach based on model driven development for the SDN control of multilayer disaggregated and open transport networks, while allowing flexibility in deployment choices, extensibility for the integration of new technologies and agility in migration processes without vendor lock-in.
    [1] Metro-Haul deliverable D3.1 “Selection of metro node architectures and optical technology options”
    [2] Metro-Haul deliverable D4.1 “METRO-HAUL Control and Management Requirements and Framework”

Service Orchestrator (5G TRANSFORMER)

  • Service orchestrator (5GT-SO) as the E2E service orchestration platform, offering orchestration of services and resources in Single and Multi-domain 5G Virtualized Networks through dynamic function placement and service chaining. Its functional architecture design is reported in D4.1, the initial software implementation of the service orchestrator platform is released in D4.2 and published as open source on github (https://github.com/5g-transformer/5gt-so): (1) End-to-End (E2E) service orchestration along with service life-cycle management across one or multiple administrative domains (federation) and (2) Service-aware monitoring platform in charge of producing monitoring reports related to the performance or failure events associated to the managed services.

Vertical Applications Orchestrator (MATILDA)

  • Supporting a set of intelligent orchestration mechanisms as well as interfaces for interaction with northbound APIs provided by communication service providers through their OSS/BSS systems. In a vision that foresees a stronger integration of cloud and Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) environments, MATILDA recognises and conforms to the ongoing developments, by providing clear interfaces toward the multi-site management of cloud/edge computing and Internet of Things (IoT) resources, supported by a multi-site virtualized infrastructure manager. Based on this paradigm, it supports the creation and maintenance of 5G-ready applications through the selection of their service components and the generation of their own Forwarding Graphs, along with the lifecycle management of the required network slices, by properly interacting with the multi-site Network Functions Virtualization Orchestrator (NFVO) residing in the Network Providers’ domain. Network- and application-oriented analytics and profiling mechanisms are supported based on both real-time and a posteriori processing of the collected data from a set of monitoring streams. Intelligent, unified and hierarchical orchestration mechanisms are applied for the automated placement of the 5G-ready applications and the creation and maintenance of their network slice instantiations. The concept of slice intention allows the application-level orchestrator to request, negotiate, deploy, maintain and discontinue the proper application-aware slice instantiation, tailored to the specific application’s needs, by also providing a set of mechanisms for runtime adaptation of the application components and/or network functions, based on policies defined on behalf of the services’ provider.

5G Resilience and Availability

5G Telco-Cloud Resilience and RAN Reliability (5G-MoNArch)

  • The term resilience refers to the ability of the network to provide an uninterrupted service, as well as to maintain its normal operation even during and after network malfunctions. Indeed, 5G shall be able to support services which ensure that the desired performance is attained for nearly 100% of operation time. The most common example is that of mission-critical services in industrial environments, where any deviation from normal network operation would result in high costs for the industry, e.g., due to an increased number of defective products, or production outages. From the network management perspective, meeting the requirements of resilient slices entails a different design methodology, comprising two fundamental elements: i) VNFs within resilient slices must be always available, and ii) resilient performance is not degradable. To ensure that resilience as an E2E concept is not subject to bottlenecks, different mechanisms are applied to distinct network domains, thereby affecting different groups of NFs. In the sequel, we focus on the two major network domains, namely the radio access and the cloud. The interested reader is referred to D3.1 “Initial resilience and security analysis and the next release” and the subsequent “D3.2 Final resilience and security report”.

Verification and Validation for Network Services (5GTANGO)

  • In 5G, to reduce the time-to-market for networked services and to lower the entry barrier to third party developers of Virtual Network Functions (VNFs) and Network Services (NSs), an integrated Development and Operations (DevOps) methodology is crucial. One of the biggest challenges in NFV DevOps is the Verification and Validation (V&V) of individual VNFs and whole NSs so that providers of these services can be sure of their behavior. 5GTANGO creates methodology and open source software for supporting and automating functional and performance testing, validation, and verification of VNFs and whole network services. Deliverable D3.1 (http://5gtango.eu/documents/D31_v1.pdf) details the architecture of the V&V platform, including the main stakeholders, the list of components and the possible configurations addressing different use cases. 5GTANGO develops the components necessary for verification and validation of network services, including monitoring, policies, Service Level Agreements (SLAs), VNF/NS catalogue, and appropriate metadata and makes them available as Open Source Software, available at https://github.com/sonata-nfv.

5G Services Platforms and Programming Tools for NetApps

Software Development Kit (5GCity)

  • Service development kits (SDK) are a fundamental component to open-up the virtualization advantages to third party Vertical industries, also in terms of commercial relationships. An SDK is generally as a stand-alone collection of services, functionally integrated with a networks orchestrator platform and able to craft network service templates ready to be deployed by the operator itself over its pool of virtual resources. The 5GCity SDK Toolkit allows to wire – in an arbitrary sequence – a pre-defined set of functions defining a logical pipe to enforce traffic handling across subsequent service stages; it abstracts the complexity of low level infrastructure details to automatically translate functional components and business requirements into an operational service deployed over virtual computing and networking resources; it also validates the service and function  descriptors to verify the consistency of the end-to-end service templates. Different to NFV SDK toolkits available in state of the (e.g. COHERENT SDK, SONATA SDK, etc.), which adopt a network-centric approach for designing and testing Network Services and VNFs before their instantiation in NFV MANO, the 5GCity SDK implements a more data-centric programming model which dramatically simplifies the way Verticals can use 5G/NFV infrastructures to define their application workflows. The 5GCity SDK Toolkit is currently under development and we plan to make a first release publicly available during Q2-2019, fully integrated with the 5GCity NFV orchestrator platform. The design of the 5GCity SDK is available in Deliverable D4.1 (“Orchestrator design, service programming, and ML models”).

Service Development Kit (SDK) (5G-MEDIA)

  • 5G-MEDIA supports the development of new media applications and services assisting the function, application and service development, emulation, testing and validation process, prior to the deployment phase and allows the use of lightweight virtualization through Docker and unikernels. More specifically it provides an all-in-one environment to validate Network Service Descriptors, to emulate network services, to onboard NS in the NFV catalogue and finally instantiate it on a specific NFVI/VIM through the Service Virtualization Platform (SVP). In addition, the 5G-MEDIA SDK allows FaaS Emulation using Lean OpenWhisk (Lean OW) and FaaS CLI Tools allow media application developers (NS developers) to leverage the FaaS programming model and quickly develop and evaluate value added code while relieving them from the infrastructure management concerns and it offers CLI tools for unikernels, to enable unikernel development, providing improved security, smaller footprint and consequent faster boot time. Finally it provides a VNF/NS Emulation toolkit including service profiling and monitoring tools that allows doing load testing on a media application (profiling) and provides visualization of pre-defined performance metrics (monitoring) in an emulated multi – Virtualized Infrastructure Manager (VIM) environment including OpenStack and OpenWhisk (OW) emulators. This allows media application developers to test and verify their applications functionality, debug and fine-tune them before deploying to a production environment. (see also http://www.5gmedia.eu/outcomes/deliverables/ 5G-MEDIA Programming Tools)

5G App and Service Catalogue (5G-MEDIA)

  • In 5G-MEDIA, we introduce the concept of the 5G App and Service Catalogue. This new functional element is designed to be NFV MANO platform-agnostic in terms of formats and syntax for NS descriptors and VNF Package information model. The catalogue uses a novel generalized and extendible format for representing NSs and VNFs, and it is capable to onboard NFV service elements as well as Mobile Edge Cloud (MEC) media applications and services and other virtual applications such as SDN applications, and functions implementing the FaaS paradigm. In addition, the 5G-MEDIA project develops VNFs to support three media-specific use cases, i.e., Use case 1 – Immersive Media, Use case 2 – Mobile Contribution, Remote and Smart Production in Broadcasting and Use case 3 – Ultra-High Definition (UHD) over Content Distribution Networks (CDN). (see also http://www.5gmedia.eu/outcomes/deliverables/ D4.1 – 5G-MEDIA Catalogue APIs and Network Apps)

Versatile Service Development Kit (5GTANGO)

  • The core mission of 5GTANGO is to extend the NFV model with features for verification and validation. Besides doing the actual V&V, appropriate support is needed for for developing services as well as testing artefacts. Such support is provided by 5GTANGO with the implementation of a versatile service development kit. The SDK eases the life of the developer of network functions, services, descriptors and tests in an easy-to-understand, quick and robust manner. The philosophy of the 5GTANGO SDK is to provide a useful blend of independent, light-weight tools which can be used independently on their own, as well as in synergy with each other, assisting the global goal of service development for multiple orchestration systems, including SONATA and OSM. All SDK tools are described in deliverable D4.1 (http://5gtango.eu/documents/D41_v1.pdf).

Vertical Slicer (5G TRANSFORMER)

  • Vertical Slicer (5GT-VS) as the vertical front-end and the common entry point for all verticals. Its functional architecture design is reported in D3.1, the initial software implementation of the vertical slicer platform is released in D3.2 and published as open source on github (https://github.com/5g-transformer/5gt-vs) (1) Offering vertical services through a high-level northbound interface to define vertical services requests and SLAs, providing a catalogue of vertical service blueprints (VSB), based on which the vertical service requests are generated by the vertical and described as vertical service descriptors (VSD), (2) Mapping vertical services to network slices and use of network service descriptors (ETSI NFV NSD) as network slice template and (3)  Arbitration among vertical service instances based on their priority and resource budget.

Development Kit for 5G-ready Applications (MATILDA)

  • Supporting the design and development of vertical applications able to take advantage of 5G programmable infrastructure. Based on the definition of a set of metamodels, 5G-ready applications are going to denote the set of deployment requirements in terms of activation of network management mechanisms, leading to the activation of application-aware network slices. In essence, tools for the design and deployment of 5G-ready applications are implemented, based on cloud-native/microservice development principles, the separation of concerns among the orchestration of the developed applications and the required network services that support them, as well as the specification and management of network slices that are application-aware and can lead to optimal application execution.

5G Building Network (IoRL)

  • A multicomponent mmWave and VLC RAN supported by a NFV/SDN Intelligent Home IP Gateway is being integrated with the aim to demonstrate broadband 5G Services in the home at EU CNC 2019 in Valencia.  The first steps in this integration process have been achieved, namely: Layer 1 end to end integration of 60 GHz mmWave antenna and End to end Layer 1 integration of VLC with DC-OFDM 256-QAM Modulation Scheme. The second step involves the end to end Layer 1 integration of the Remote Radio Light Head (RRLH) Controller for the multicomponent carrier VLC and mmWave systems with the End User equipment. Currently test vectors between the RRLH Controller at the transmitter and End User Equipment at the receiver are being tested in preparation of a physical integration later in February. Other integration activities consist of Layer 1 and Layer 2 interface, Layer 2 and NFV/SDN Intelligent Home IP Gateway Layer 3 interface and  integration of VLC and mmWave modules into a Remote Radio Light Head in the form of a panel light system.

5G Verticals Experimentation, Trials and Pilots

Next-Generation In-Flight 5G infrastructure (5G ESSENCE)

  • 5G ESSENCE is defining the aircraft of the future, efficiently combining a fully virtualised and multi-tenant 5G multi-RAT small cell network with a multi-tier edge cloud infrastructure as an essential advance towards the 5G enabled next generation In-Flight Entertainment and Communication solution. Boarding the 5G ESSENCE Edge Cloud, the aircraft becomes a self-contained 5G network edge wherein computing, storage and networking resources are deployed. As the existing on-board network exhibits several bottlenecks, the limited number of radios and the need for using the satellite communication for connectivity to the ground, the 5G ESSENCE Edge Cloud implements a service oriented NFVI, a multi-tier edge cloud infrastructure that addresses the current limitations bringing the flexibility to add new 5G services but especially designed to support enriched multimedia services, leveraging on the paradigm of Multi-Access Edge Computing (MEC) to cope with a resource constrained environment where virtualised network functions can be orchestrated along with the services selected for this critical use case for 5G systems. (see also http://www.5g-essence-h2020.eu/Deliverables.aspx D7.1: Planning of demonstration and network services for Use Case 3)

Open 5G Infrastructure Capable of Instantiating and Co-hosting Different Vertical Sectors (5G-PICTURE)

  • 5G-PICTURE focuses on use cases involving railway, smart-city, and mega events. The detailed specification of all the use case scenarios have been provided and documented in deliverable D6.1 0. These use cases are built up in terms of new equipment to be deployed in the current infrastructures, test scenarios and services to be executed, and a detailed time plan until the finalisation of the project (February 2020). A real-life validation of the 5G-PICTURE solutions through demonstration will be carried out in: a smart city environment available in the 5GUK testbed in Bristol, UK; a 5G railway experimental testbed showcasing seamless service provisioning and mobility management in high-speed moving environments in Barcelona, Spain; and a stadium with ultra-high user density, supporting media services Bristol, UK.
    [1] 5G-PICTURE Deliverable D3.1, “Initial report on Data Plane Programmability and infrastructure components”, March 2018, pending EC Review, https://www.5g-picture-project.eu/download/5g-picture_d31.pdf
    [2] 5G-PICTURE Deliverable D3.2, “Intermediate report on Data Plane Programmability and infrastructure components”, November 2018, pending EC Review https://www.5g-picture-project.eu/download/5g-picture_D3.2.pdf
    [3] 5G-PICTURE Deliverable D4.1, “State of the art and initial function design”, February 2018, pending EC Review, https://www.5g-picture-project.eu/download/5g-picture_d41.pdf
    [4] 5G-PICTURE Deliverable D4.2, “Complete design and initial evaluation of developed functions”, November 2018, pending EC Review, https://www.5g-picture-project.eu/download/5g-picture_D4.2.pdf
    [5] 5G-PICTURE Deliverable D5.1, “Relationships between Orchestrators, Controllers, slicing systems”, November 2018, pending EC Review, https://www.5g-picture-project.eu/download/5g-picture_D5.1.pdf
    [6] 5G-PICTURE Deliverable D6.1, “Specification of Vertical Use cases and Experimentation plan”, November 2018, pending EC Review, https://www.5g-picture-project.eu/download/5g-picture_D6.1.pdf

MEC Extensions, including VNFs for Smart Energy Services (NRG-5)

  • To meet the Smart Energy as Service requirements and respect the design principles, NRG-5 has decided to focus on the infrastructure edge and offload as much functionalities as possible to Mobile Edge Cloud with the ambition of extending Mobile Edge Computing (xMEC) facilitating the automated analytics-based deployment of MTC-related and utility-centric VNFs groupable in different logical groups: (1) General Core VNFs: these VNFs able to work in the various domains. They include all the virtual functions requested to discover devices and services in the network, to allow the self-organized and self-optimize the communication and the routing services among devices that have limited network, along with virtual functions requested to recognize and authorize the different elements and allow a secure connection for the data exchange according to the requested services, (2) General Application VNFs: NRG-5 considers drones being the smartphone of the future, seamlessly integrated and receiving the necessary support from the 5G network. To support remote drones flight control, we introduce two application specific VNFs for media processing and flight control and (3) Smart Energy Specific VNFs: We introduce VNFs to meet the smart energy functionalities of distributed storages, renewables source and energy re-routing.  Website: http://www.nrg5.eu

Verticals Cartography (Global5G.org)

  • Global5G.org has designed and developed an online verticals cartography with the support of the 5G PPP TB (Q3-2018; https://www.global5g.org/cartography), covering the experiments planned by 5G PPP phase 2 projects 2018-202. With this online tool, users can select the type of experiment (PoCs, prototypes, demonstrators, trials and pilots), vertical cluster (automotive, energy, health, industry – factory and process automation; farming and agriculture, media and entertainment, public safety, smart cities, transport and logistics), country (13 EU countries) and ITU-defined functionalities (eMBB, mMTC, URLLC). The cartography tracks 63 such experiments in 40 cities across Europe. Global5G.org also provides an online complementary analysis of maturity levels and timelines, the number of experiments per vertical, and functionalities targeted, as well as vertical partners, industry and public-sector organisations supporting the experiments. Overall, the cartography supports cross-project collaboration while showing gaps for future research programmes. On-going work on high-level performance KPIs will show coverage and intensity across the phase 2 projects as a cross-WG activity. Future developments will let users visualise the cartography as European cityscapes.

5G Demonstration Scenarios (IoRL)

  • A portable IoRL demonstrator is being constructed with the aim of demonstrating the IoRL concept at EU CNC 2019 in Valencia, Spain. It will demonstrate video streaming to a 4k TV using a smart phone TV remote control app. This concept has the bit rate capacities to extend to 8k and 16k TVs. The demonstrator acts as a prelude to the construction of the IoRL concept in a Building Research Establishment home in Watford UK, Le musée de la carte à jouer in d’Issy-les-Moulineaux France, Nuevos Ministerios train station in Madrid Spain and a Chinese supermarket, where further broadband indoor services have been developed which will demonstrate: Virtual Tourism of Shakespeare’s Globe theatre using Virtual Reality, Remote Tourism using 360 degree camera, multiplayer cycle trainer gaming using virtual reality, follow-me 4k TV over multiple TV sets in home, pictures in picture 4k TV, location based data access, augmented reality support of technicians in the field, indoor location guiding and monitoring etc.

5G Business, Standardization and Regulation

Regulatory Analysis and Deployment of Small Cells for 5G (Global5G.org)

  • Network densification is a way of increasing capacity and improving coverage particularly indoor. It can also improve energy efficiency and reduce radiation. The first Global5G.org study on small cells (Q1-2018; https://www.global5g.org/small-cells) examines the regulatory framework, the issue of supporting cells with high bandwidth both backhaul and fronthaul, with an extensive discussion on radio network sharing and network slicing covering different business models. RF exposure is described in detail as are the regulatory factors impacting deployment. Case studies from four countries are given, showing some barriers to deployment with suggestions on how to overcome them. Global5G.org has simultaneously supported a study with a similar theme conducted within the EC Communications Committee (COCOM) Working Group on 5G. The forthcoming white paper (Q2-2019) will analyse a new set of case studies, some of which are identified through the verticals cartography and Pan-European Roadmap 4.0, highlighting good practices for a lightweight regulatory regime, including coverage in rural areas as a good measure to reduce the digital divide. It will also draw on new European regulation, namely the European Electronic Communications Code (EECC). It assesses work within standards organisations to develop Open Ran specifications, such as ORAN Alliance, TIP, 3GPP (RAN 4) and the Small Cell Forum (SCF).

Standards Tracker (Global5G.org)

  • The online Global5G.org Standards Tracker (Q4-2018) is designed to facilitate the participation of vertical industries in on-going standardisation work, primarily in 3GPP (from release 16 onwards). Users can track study items in terms of vertical or technical focus. A practical guide also explains how verticals can join the standards organisation. Parallel work within the 5G IA Pre-Standardization Working Group tracks contributions to standards from the phase 2 projects and their vertical partners based on a blueprint developed by Global5G.org. The main outcomes will also feed into the online tool. Collaboration with 3GPP and ETSI tracks progress on relevant study and work items, identifies and analyses requirements from verticals, and coverage of 5G functionalities. On top of this, Global5G.org assesses the impacts of contributions to 5G standards by the projects and 3GPP market representation partners, supporting the high-level evaluation at the programme level. A report (Q2-2019) will zoom in on the overall impacts of the 5G IA WG and its partnerships, concluding with a roadmap for 2020+.

Inclusion of the Satellite in the 5G Roadmap of 3GPP (SAT5G)

  • Contribution, to the development of two technical reports (3GPP TR 22.822 and 3GPP TR 38.811) during 3GPP Release 15, both approved in June 2018, laying the foundation for the seamless integration of satellite in 5G. Contribution, to the promotion of two new study items (3GPP S2 and 3GPP RAN3/2/1) and one work item (3GPP SA1) currently being carried out during Release 16, preparing the grounds to accomplish the specification of the enablers for a seamless integration of satellite in 5G.

Economic and Business Conditions for a Successful Integration of Satellite in 5G (SAT5G)

  • Four satellite use cases for 5G eMBB were defined, which have been disseminated in various peer-reviewed publications and adopted in ITU, 3GPP context. Business models have been drafted building on the defined use cases; the benefits from the role of a broker between the MNOs and the satellite network operators have been identified and initial calculations show some viable ARPU contributions.  SaT5G Deliverable D3.2, Integrated SaT5G Detail Network Architecture, available here: http://sat5g-project.eu/public-deliverables/