The 6G-TakeOff project, funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space was focused on development of a unified three dimensional (3D) network architecture for future 6G communications, which integrates terrestrial networks with non-terrestrial networks (NTN) like satellites and drones. Led by Deutsche Telekom, the three-year project focused on creating a dynamic, flexible, and intelligent network that could provide seamless connectivity by using AI to manage network resources and dynamically switch between different network types. The project has successfully concluded and  its results were presented at a closing event at the University of Bremen.

Three-dimensional (3D) networks are where base stations on the ground are complemented by base stations aboard airborne platforms and satellites. Stations in the air offer the opportunity to provide additional network capacity temporarily and locally as needed. The project focused on the holistic view of a 3D network and the question of how the various subnetwork elements can be connected to each other (handover) in a unified 6G architecture. By combining and intelligently coordinating the various access technologies, optimal access to connectivity is thus enabled for every application. The results of the project are an important part of basic research for so-called non-terrestrial networks (NTN) and will be incorporated into the standardization of the future generation of mobile communications (by 3GPP and ITU-R).

From its inception, the 3D network consortium was designed to integrate perspectives and innovations from a wide range of research and industry fields. This enabled close collaboration between the aerospace sector and the communications and software industries as well as manufacturers, while facilitating the transfer from the academic environment to the industrial context. Led by Deutsche Telekom, the research consortium brought together a total of 19 partners:

• The manufacturers participating in the project included Airbus Defence and Space GmbH, Creonic GmbH, DSI Aerospace GmbH, EANT GmbH, IMST GmbH, NXP® Semiconductors, OTARIS Interactive Services GmbH, Rohde & Schwarz, and Boldyn Networks.
• The user perspective was represented by John Deere GmbH & Co. KG and ZF Friedrichshafen AG.
• In addition to Deutsche Telekom, the network operator O2 Telefónica was also involved.
• The project team was completed by research institutes and universities: the German Aerospace Center (DLR), the Fraunhofer Institute FOKUS, the IHP Leibniz Institute for High Performance Microelectronics, the Technical University of Kaiserslautern, the University of Bremen, and the Center for Telematics Würzburg all contributed their expertise.

Successful completion after three years of 6G research in the project “6G-TakeOff” © Deutsche Telekom

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Key aspects of the project:

• Unified 3D Network: The project aimed to create a single network architecture that seamlessly combines ground-based base stations with airborne (like drones) and satellite-based stations.
• Dynamic Connectivity: The network was designed to dynamically adjust and manage connections, so it can provide temporary capacity where needed and automatically select the best access method for a user’s needs.
• AI-powered Management: Artificial intelligence (AI) was used to manage the network, helping to optimize connections, anticipate disruptions, and ensure the overall resilience of the system.
• Industry and Academic Collaboration: The project involved a large consortium of 19 partners, including universities, research institutes, and companies from the aerospace, telecommunications, and technology sectors.
• Contribution to 6G Standards: The research and results from 6G-TakeOff are intended to be incorporated into the ongoing standardization efforts for 6G technology, forming a strong foundation for future development.
• Focus Areas: Research included topics such as device handover, local deployment of edge compute, and the development of technologies to connect terrestrial and non-terrestrial components. 

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Research results:

The consortium developed several demonstrators to test the feasibility of different solutions:

• Device handover in the 3D network: Arguably, handover is the most important element of a 3D network. The three-dimensional structure of the network was tested in a testbed at the University of Bremen. Using base stations on the ground, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) in the air and satellite hardware on a 146-meter-high tower, the 3D network was simulated and the handover of a moving device between network components was studied. The testbed will remain in place even after the conclusion of the project.
• Local deployment of mobile edge computing (MEC) services: Edge computing makes it possible to process large amounts of data securely and on-site in near real-time. The project was able to successfully demonstrate that edge computing is also possible for non-terrestrial networks. In this way, appropriate networks can be set up temporarily and as needed.
• Feederlink technology for ground stations and UAVs: UAVs must be connected to the core network on the ground via so-called feederlinks. These links allow data to be transmitted at high rates between ground stations and UAVs. Beamforming antennas are required for this purpose. They direct radio waves in a targeted manner rather than spreading them broadly, thereby improving signal strength and range. In 6G-TakeOff, novel antenna designs were developed and tested. These are characterized by a particularly strong directional focus when transmitting and receiving radio waves, as well as a lightweight design. In addition, new methods for beam steering, meaning the precise alignment of ground station antennas with moving UAVs, were developed.

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The project’s three-year milestone exhibits a strong track record for the research initiative. Beyond the demonstrators, seven patent filings underscore the consortium’s innovation.

“The 6G-TakeOff project has helped us better understand the practical challenges of integrating terrestrial and non-terrestrial components into a unified 3D communication framework. It offers valuable insights on how future 6G systems could improve service continuity, resilience and capacity wherever needed. The project has laid a strong foundation for further cross-industry cooperation towards 6G,” said Thomas Lips, SVP RAN Disaggregation & Enablement at Deutsche Telekom.

Commercial deployment of 6G is anticipated in the early 2030s, pending 3GPP specifications and ITU-R WP 5D evaluation completion of IMT 2030 RIT/SRITs based on minimum performance requirements. Please see references for more information about 6G initiatives and IMT 2030.

References:

https://www.6g-takeoff.de/

https://www.telekom.com/en/media/media-information/archive/successful-completion-6g-takeoff-1099886

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