This task aims at identifying the relevant scenarios, analyzing existing setups to identify the relevant application level

requirements, and projecting this to be served by in-X subnetworks. This task is important as it defines the context

and metrics used to compare technology components. Further, the findings of this task will be used to shape common

simulation assumptions in WP3 and WP4.

Subtask 2.1a: Identification of scenarios, and derivation of relevant KPIs

We will identify specific scenarios and requirements with respect to the defined set of KPIs in the scenarios of interest. In

particular, Bosch, UMH, and Sony will identify relevant application/use cases and related requirements from automotive

and industrial application perspective. Apple will instead investigate application and requirements related to consumer

business.

Subtask 2.1b: Characterization of existing wired installations envisioned to be replaced by in-X subnetworks.

We aim at characterizing the data traffic in use cases and scenarios relevant for in-X subnetworks, with peculiar focus

on the industrial and automotive use cases. The industrial data traffic for in-robot and in-production module will be

measured at the AAU smart production lab, an industrial lab with real robots and manufacturing equipment, as well as at

Bosch facilities. UMH will generate realistic datasets of data traffic for in-vehicle networks leveraging and extending a

highly realistic open-source software platforms for automated driving research. This platform implements rich automated

driving sensor suites that realistically capture data from the 3D environment, such as cameras, radars or lidars. Traffic

patterns in terms of packet rate and size, traffic bursts, time correlation, etc., will be then characterized by leveraging

the obtained data. Such data traffic characterization will be used for design and evaluation of technology components

in WP3 and WP4.

Related TCs: TC1.

Subtask 2.1c: Definition of in-X subnetwork architecture.

Starting from the defined requirements, Bosch, UMH, COGN and Apple will define architecture for in-X subnetworks

in the relevant scenarios of interest. This will encompass position and role of AP and devices for the specific application,

leveraging specific consumer, industrial or automotive domains (e.g., zonal-based architectures in vehicles to be replaced

by wireless links). Also, we focus on seamless integration of subnetworks into existing in-X architectures and their

planned evolution. This task will also explore the system and component-wise performance requirements for the

envisioned subnetwork architectures.

Related TCs: TC15, TC16

The design of the 6G-SHINE radio system requires a deep understanding of the radio propagation characteristics in the

scenarios where the subnetworks are anticipated to operate. The radio propagation characteristics could be affected by

a high clutter density, non-line of sight (e.g., engine or robotic parts in robots affecting the LOS/NLOS conditions) and

from being enclosed by a metal closure.

The radio propagation characterization will give valuable input in particular to WP3, in the design of PHY and MAC

enablers to achieve the desired service requirements and WP4 for accounting for the actual radio conditions in the

schemes for resources and interference management.

Subtask 2.2a: Measurements of the radio propagation in the considered scenarios

Upon characterization of the subnetwork architectures, relevant scenarios of interest for radio propagation

characterization will be identified considering industrial, in-vehicle, consumer use cases. The detailed parameters,

such as combination frequencies, environments, and deployment of devices/APs, will be listed and the measurement

campaigns will be planned considering the parameters, available equipment and measurement sites. Measurements for

short range characterization will be running in the AAU smart production lab, considering sub-10 GHz, mmWave and

sub-THz bands. Measurements for RIS will instead be performed in CNIT facilities. VNAs or signal analyzer solutions

provided by Keysight and CNIT will be used for these campaigns.

Related TCs: TC2.

Subtask 2.2b: Modelling the radio propagation in a subnetwork in the considered scenarios

Modelling the radio propagation in a subnetwork in the considered scenarios [CNIT, Keysight, AAU]

The radio propagation channel will be modeled for the different scenarios and bands of interest. AAU and Keysight will

be characterizing small and large scale fading, along with directional characteristics and antenna correlation properties.

CNIT will derive ray based, deterministic propagation models for short-range, confined and/or cluttered environments

with electrically-large objects, including reflection from curved surfaces and creeping-wave diffraction. Also, CNIT and

Keysight will develop alternative semi-deterministic and heuristic models for confined and/or cluttered environments

with electrically-small or complex objects: the models will be parametrized with the aid of measurements and fullwave

electromagnetic simulations. Macroscopic, realistic ray-based models for scattering from RIS will be derived.

Verification and calibration actions of such models are taken using measurements available in the literature or in subtask

2.2a.

Related TCs: TC2.

In order for 6G in-X subnetworks to be successfully integrated in vehicles, factories and consumer use cases, it is

critical that they can seamlessly interwork with existing devices and connectivity solutions (e.g., automotive or industrial

Ethernet solutions), but also with other 6G networks, which could be both public and private 6G networks. The integration

of 6G-SHINE subnetworks into suitable 6G parent networks is important as this can provide a service termination

point out of reach of the 6G-SHINE subnetwork, but also provide options for authorization, interference management

accounting for conditions beyond the coverage of a single subnetwork and for computational resource offloading.

Bosch, UMH, Apple, IDE and COGN will contribute to the design and evaluation of suitable concepts, architectures

and interfaces for flexibly integrating in-X subnetworks into a suitable 6G parent network, following the ‘network-ofnetworks’

paradigm and with focus on industrial, automotive (i.e., in-vehicle subnetworks) and consumer applications.

In this respect, also suitable functions for the interplay between 6G subnetworks and the respective 6G parent network

shall be defined, e.g., for RRM, security, network management, interference management, or in order to opportunistically

support the offloading of certain functionalities (e.g., in a vehicle) to an (edge) cloud. Apple and UMH will particularly

investigate what subnetwork architecture(s) and functional splits between subnetwork(s) and 6G can be envisioned for

different use cases and what are the different roles within in-X subnetworks and towards 6G. This also includes possible

dynamic changes of roles and responsibilities based on changes of the network topology. In addition, Bosch will work

on suitable mechanisms for temporary operation of in-X subnetworks without any connection to a 6G parent network

(e.g., due to a coverage hole of a public 6G network), as well as on possibly nested in-X subnetworks. In such a scenario,

an in-X subnetwork may be the parent network for another in-X subnetwork.

Related TCs: TC15, TC16.