Description of the functionalities of the 6G Laboratory of ETSIT-UPM

The Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros de Telecomunicación (ETSIT) at the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) is in the process of implementing and deploying a 5G/5G+ laboratory within its facilities. This laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art instrumentation and measurement equipment, as well as various private networks, providing it with great versatility. This enables not only the different Research Groups working on these topics to conduct their research, but also aims to establish the 5G Laboratory as an innovation environment where companies and organizations can work and test the viability and applicability of 5G technology through the implementation of this technology in various use cases.

The ultimate goal is not only the consolidation and availability of an advanced 5G/5G+ communications laboratory, but also the creation of a 5G+/6G Innovation HUB. This HUB is intended to support research and development in advanced 5G and 6G technologies, serving the Research Groups of ETSIT-UPM, other groups within the University, other universities and research centers, ICT sector companies, and interested public bodies. A key player in this initiative is the Madrid City Council, with which, through the signed Addendum to the Agreement, there will be close collaboration in the fields of IoT, cybersecurity, and the deployment of 5G in various municipal corridors.

Within the framework of various research projects obtained by ETSIT-UPM under Royal Decree 1040/2021, dated November 23, which regulates the direct award of grants to public research centers, foundations, and Spanish public universities for the implementation of innovative projects in the deployment of advanced 5G and 6G technologies, as part of the Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan of the Spanish Government funded by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation, funding and technological scientific commitment have been secured. This support will facilitate the creation of the 5G Laboratory (LAB 5G) or 5G/5G+ Innovation HUB. Additionally, within the same funding framework, the Ministry, through Order ETD/805/2022, dated July 15, called for the granting of aid for the financing of research infrastructures, the acquisition of scientific-technical equipment, and R&D projects in advanced 5G under the Single Program R&D 6G 2022.

As previously mentioned, this laboratory is designed as a testbed for the School's research groups and is a crucial element in several initiatives planned in collaboration with the Madrid City Council. This funding will enable the acquisition of various equipment essential for the implementation and development of the laboratory’s infrastructure.The projects contributing to the financing of the infrastructure for the LAB 5G at ETSIT-UPM, and forming part of the contribution of ETSIT-UPM to the Addendum to the Agreement signed between the Madrid City Council and UPM, include:

Project TSI-063000-2021-80: "Technological Pilots".
Project TSI-063000-2021-83: "Development of Radiant Systems Technologies and Reconfigurable RF Subsystems for Future Communication Networks in mmWaves and 6G".
Project TSI-063000-2021-82: "Radio Resource Management and RIS Development".
Project: "RF Laboratory for Research and Development in Advanced 5G and 6G Technologies - 5G+RADIOLAB".

Network Architecture

Core SA - Model: Ericsson EP5G Small. Redundant and upgradeable to support 32 gNodeBs.
Upgradable to the different 3GPP Releases (17 and later).
Management of 16 gNodeBs.
MOCN to extend the network to other environments where there is public network coverage. QoS differentiation through the use of 5G QoS indentifier parameters.
100 SIM - 1 Gb/s bit rate.
Network Slicing both in the core and in the terminals.
Guarantee of prioritization on the public network located in the school.
Guarantee of normal operation in case of communications failure with the operator.
SLA reporting.