OPEN CALL 1: facts and figures

6G-XR Platform and Network Enablers

The purpose of Open Call 1 was to address identified gaps in the current 6G-XR experimental infrastructure and targets its further development and extension to make them ready for advanced experimentation in upcoming project open calls for experimentation. 

For the first Open Call, four key areas were identified for which third parties were invited to propose solutions.

1

Networking, computing enablers

such as slicing, service migration, orchestration, security.

2

XR enablers

including XR media processing and delivery functions along the end-to-end chain.

3

RAN enablers

interesting and innovative, but sufficiently mature, RAN technologies.

4

Sustainability enablers

for local green energy, controlling energy sources and charging/discharging, energy measurement and optimization solutions.

The four focus areas are further broken down into the following topics:

  1. Automated IP network measurement system 
  2. Edge discovery API 
  3. Holographics API 
  4. CAMARA QoD implementation over Open5GS 
  5. Fab Lab digital twin environment
  6. Advancing Heterogeneous XR Capture Systems 
  7. XR fusion 
  8. Wireless Connectivity for XR Sensors 
  9. Encoding solutions optimized for Point Cloud/Volumetric Video compression 
  10. Low-latency or scalable streaming protocols and methods for XR 
  11. QoE assessment models and methods for XR experiences 
  12. XR Interaction and Collaboration Software Modules and APIs 
  13. Multi-sensory communications and interactions
  14. End-to-end slicing with RAN resource sharing
  15. RAN or Sustainability enablers for local green energy, controlling energy sources and charging/discharging, energy measurement and optimization solutions
Applications received
Eligible applications received
Type of organisation with eligible applications
Countries with eligible applications
6G-XR infrastructure used
Awarded projects

Discover here more facts and figures:

Type of organisation

  • SME6
  • Research/scientific organisation1
  • Academia1

Geographical distribution

  • Spain2
  • Portugal1
  • Greece1
  • Finland2
  • Germany1
  • Hungary1

6G-XR infrastructure

  • North Node, OULU 5GTN2
  • North Node, VTT 5GTN1
  • South Node, 5TONIC1
  • South Node, 5GBarcelona4

Awarded projects

Discover here the success stories of the eight selected projects:

Proposal Name: 6G-SLICE
Full title: Enabling end-to-end O-RAN slicing in 6G-XR
Organisation: Allbesmart LDA (SME)
Country: Portugal

Topic: TOP14 – End-to-end slicing with RAN resource sharing
6G-XR Facilities: North node – OULU 5GTN

A network slice is a logical network on a shared physical infrastructure supporting specific communication services. This experiment aims to implement and validate end-to-end network slicing for 6G-XR scenarios using the O-RAN architecture by enhancing the University of Oulu’s OpenAirInterface (OAI) testbed. The results will be added to the OAI public repository, benefiting the open-source community beyond the 6G-XR project. These contributions will facilitate experimentation with O-RAN slicing and resource allocation for 5G and beyond. This includes developing and testing OAIBOX O-RAN products with xApps for RAN slicing automation.

Proposal Name: BANQ
Full title: Bringing Automated Network QoS Monitoring Capabilities for Research Infrastructures
Organisation: Kaitotek Oy (SME)
Country: Finland

Topic: TOP1 – Automated IP network measurement system
6G-XR Facilities: North node – OULU 5GTN & VTT 5GTN

The project focuses on automating network quality measurements with a passive, real-time Quality of Service (QoS) solution. This enhances network quality, situational awareness, and security. Real-time measurement and monitoring allow for immediate resolution of performance issues, improving user experience and providing valuable data for researchers. Data analysis further enables proactive traffic monitoring, anomaly detection, and real-time threat identification.

Proposal Name: ExCalibAR
Full title: ExCalibAR – User-friendly intrinsic and extrinsic calibration for multi-light-field-cameras for Augmented, Virtual, and Extended Reality
Organisation: Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences (HKA) (Academia)
Country: Germany

Topic: TOP6 – Advancing Heterogeneous XR Capture Systems
6G-XR Facilities: South node – 5GBarcelona

The ExCalibAR project aims to develop an easy-to-use pipeline for calibrating setups with multiple light field cameras using Structure from Motion (SfM). This method allows non-expert users to perform reliable and swift calibrations without precise calibration targets. Traditional calibration methods are complex and require accurate targets with known geometry. ExCalibAR starts with uncalibrated cameras and no prior knowledge, using images of a static 3D scene to estimate camera parameters and 3D scene geometry. A simple 2D marker can be used for metric scale reconstruction if desired. The pipeline will expand the open-source SfM project COLMAP and be released as an open-source project under the GNU General Public License Version 3 (GPLv3)

Proposal Name: FALADIN
Full title: FAb LAb DIgital TwiN
Organisation: Finwe Oy (SME)
Country: Finland

Topic: TOP5 – Fab Lab digital twin environment
6G-XR Facilities: North node – OULU 5GTN

The experiment introduces a digital twin platform for FabLabs to streamline collaboration between users and operators. Using advanced 3D technology, it allows real-time review and adjustment of 3D models, enhancing the co-creation process. The platform supports both desktop and XR interfaces, enabling users to monitor and control 3D printing processes in real-time. It aims to redefine collaborative manufacturing by integrating innovative technology for better user engagement and quality control, scalable across multiple FabLabs.

Proposal Name: METAPHOR
Full title: Volumetric Capture and Transmission in Broadcast Environments
Organisation: Brainstorm Multimedia (SME)
Country: Spain

Topic: TOP12 – XR Interaction and Collaboration Software Modules and APIs
6G-XR Facilities: South node – 5GBarcelona

METAPHOR aims to integrate a virtual production engine with a volumetric renderer to generate frames for seamless integration within a virtual scene. This allows remote 3D participants to interact with local broadcast talent in a professional TV studio within a unified virtual environment. The system provides rendered streams from virtual cameras, enabling Metaverse sessions to be broadcast via traditional and broadband channels. This integration enhances interactive, realistic Metaverse experiences and addresses 6G challenges in delivering these experiences across multiple channels.

Proposal Name: MST
Full title: Magos Surgical Training
Organisation: QUANTA & QUALIA (SME)
Country: Greece

Topic: TOP13 – Multi-sensory communications and interactions
6G-XR Facilities: South node – 5GTONIC

Despite advancements in medical training, traditional methods face challenges such as lack of realism and physical constraints. Virtual reality (VR) training offers a solution by providing a safe environment for practice, but existing VR lacks detailed hand and finger interactions necessary for surgery. With 6G technology, trainees could remotely interact in real-time, creating lifelike training conditions. MST, a VR application based on the Magos Platform, enables realistic finger interactions, enhancing surgical training. This platform aims to set new standards in group surgical training and has potential applications in tele-robotics, art, and animation.

Proposal Name: OpenCAMARA
Full title: Open source solution to integrate CAMARA QoD API to 5G stack
Organisation: Neutroon Technologies S.L. (SME)
Country: Spain

Topic: TOP4 – CAMARA QoD implementation over Open5GS
6G-XR Facilities: South node – 5GBarcelona

The main purpose of network slicing in 5G is to provide customized network resources for specific use cases. While previous generations prioritized data flow to specific bearers, 5G’s QoS Identifier (5QI) allows for finer customization within the same bearer, increasing network complexity and management challenges for non-experts. This project integrates CAMARA’s Quality on Demand (QoD) API into Open5GS and Amarisoft RAN. QoD offers standard API calls for dynamically assigning network resources based on user or service needs. The platform achieves this by providing hardware-agnostic API calls for third-party configuration and monitoring of the entire 5G stack and edge processing elements, facilitating multi-vendor compatibility.

Proposal Name: REQUIEM
Full title: Research on QUIC client mobility
Organisation: Office for Supported Research Groups (TKI – TAMOGATOTT KUTATOCSOPORTOK IRODAJA) (Research center)
Country: Hungary

Topic: TOP10 – Low-latency or scalable streaming protocols and methods for XR
6G-XR Facilities: South node – 5GBarcelona

Extended Reality (XR) is a key application for 6G networks, expected to be used in Industry 5.0, medical services, online gaming, and more, with real-time media streaming as a crucial requirement. This project designs and implements QUIC-based real-time media transmission tools for the 6G-XR Media Function. QUIC allows seamless client connection migration between networks without breaking connections. The project measures the effects of client mobility on media quality and integrates the QUIC solution into the 6G-XR Remote Renderer. Results and code will be published as open-source, enhancing end-to-end security, connection times, and quality of experience, and enabling new XR applications with client mobility.”