Optimized 6G-enabled IoT networks for unlicensed operations in the computing continuum

OPTIMUS-6G will develop a multi-domain network architectural framework that enhances multi-functional communication for loT devices and applications in 6G unlicensed bands, addressing future use cases and optimising their performance. This will be achieved through the design of novel multi-band and multi-RAT models that optimize the operation of heterogeneous loT devices across unlicensed 6G bands (6G-U), spanning multiple communication technologies (radio, optical) and domains (loT, edge, cloud), as well as the development of an advanced digital twin (DT)-enabled framework to calibrate these models and test them on tangible use cases.

To enable seamless integration of the OPTIMUS-6G architecture into the 6G-loT ecosystem, the project will leverage multi-band communication by implementing cutting-edge technologies in both radio and optical bands to ensure reliable, high-bandwidth, and low-latency connectivity. It will also introduce hardware-agnostic, cross-layer protocols to optimize communications and data processing across heterogeneous loT devices along the computing continuum. Furthermore, OPTIMUS-6G will enhance resource and data orchestration for network and application optimization by applying advanced Al-enabled mechanisms. The DT-enabled framework will be central to testing and evaluation, ensuring its seamless integration into the 6G-loT framework. Finally, the deployed architecture will be validated and assessed across three use cases, focusing on unlicensed loT operations to support long-term unattended deployments in manufacturing, healthcare, and campus networks.