The PROTEUS-6G Project

MISSION

PROTEUS-6G aims to conduct groundbreaking research on complementary technologies that focus on scaling the fronthaul and midhaul (x-haul) segments of 6G networks. The goal is to fully support the potential of emerging 6G services. This will be achieved through the introduction of several innovations:
  • 12 A novel spatially-diverse point-to-multi-point (SDPtMP) optical fronthaul distribution network. This network will be accomplished by an innovative optical device that optically carves out transmitted digital subcarriers using an array of sharp optical interleaving filters. These filters are designed to jointly operate as circular subcarrier mux/demux.
  • 12 Utilization of DSCM transceivers for up to 7.2 split option scenarios and development of the LITE-COH TXR. The LITE-COH TXR features 0.8Tb/s per-λ, contributing to reduced latencies and significant cost- and power-reductions through all-optical-signal-processing (AOSP) functionality. This displaces bandwidth-limited and power-hungry DSP used in conventional coherent TXRs for processing IQ quadratures and orthogonal polarizations, resulting in a 50% power saving in the new TXRs.

These innovations will be managed by a novel service management, orchestration, and control system. This system enables dynamic reconfiguration of the functional splits in the RU/DU/CU and dynamic reconfiguration of the packet-optical x-haul network to deliver the required transport capacity demanded by the selected split option.

The PROTEUS-6G consortium comprises industry and academia experts spanning the value chain, with demonstrated experience in transformational transceivers, fronthaul networks, network planning, and the development of operation algorithms and protocols. Their track record is evidenced by their research output and contributions to new products, services, and standards.

PROTEUS-6G is positioned to extend Europe’s leadership in 6G x-haul. It will offer the highest-capacity flexible optoelectronic interfaces and fast-switching nodes that fully exploit optical spatial/spectral/subcarrier resources using novel algorithms and control-plane implementations.

Proteus-6G figure

Coordinator: Prof. Dr. Ioannis Tomkos, University of Patras (itom@upatras.gr)
Project number: 101096909, HORIZON-JU-SNS-2023-STREAM-B-01-03
Topic: Communication Infrastructure Technologies and Devices
Timeframe: 01/2024 – 12/2026
Total cost: € 4 182 601,25

Proteus 6G
Programmable Reconfigurable Optical Transport for Efficiently offering Unconstrained Services in 6G

Get in Touch

  • PROTEUS-6G project is funded by the EU’s HORIZON-JU-SNS-2024 program under Grant Agreement No. 101139134
  • proteus6g@upatras.gr
  • 2024 PROTEUS-6G