| Short name | Deliverable | Abstract |
|---|---|---|
| 6G-INTEGRATION-02-E5 | NTN+B5G integration Architectures – first release | This document focuses on analyzing integration architectures between terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks with specific focus on the framework of the implementation of network slicing in automated end to end network architectures. The content is split in three separate parts, the first being chapter 2 which provides general context information around the implementation of network slicing and this type of management architectures in terrestrial networks, addressing specific key aspects in terms of complexity, architectures and timeline, as well as standardization aspects both in terms of 3GPP definitions and those from other SDOs as IETF, relevant for the implementation of slicing management architectures in the transport domain, outside 3GPP scope, becoming a reference for adoption in the transport network. |
| 6G-INTEGRATION-02-E6 | NTN+B5G integration architectures – second release | This document constitutes the second deliverable 6G-INTEGRATION-02-E6 of the 6G- INTEGRATION-2 project, building on top of the work consolidated in the previous 6G- INTEGRATION-02-E5, which covered generally: General mobile network technical and architectural definitions about network slicing, and foreseen evolutionary roadmap in the different mobile network domains that form the overall service E2E. Relevant standardization work and specifications about network slicing, with a focus on 3GPP and O-RAN for the radio access network (RAN), core network (CN) and E2E management and orchestration, IETF for the specific considerations related to the transport network domain (TrN), and other relevant organizations as GSMA related to the slicing ecosystem definitions (for example including key slicing topics as service template, device rules or roaming implementation). NTN use cases, typical architectures and system capabilities considering satellite solutions already commercialized or developing in the market, and the foreseen evolution of 3GPP standardization, which is shaping the new wave of future 5G NTN systems. Relevant functionalities needed in satellite systems to provide incremental flexibility and resources for slicing support, as well as primary needs in terms of integration into E2E service orchestration and management architectures asthose set as a reference in terrestrial networks to implement slicing. A first definition of a set of relevant integration architectures and their main characteristics, including key necessary interfaces, identified gaps and foreseen evolution. |
| 6G-INTEGRATION-02-E7 | Prototype final version and NTN+B5G architecture evaluation | This document constitutes the third deliverable 6G-INTEGRATION-02-E7 of the 6G-INTEGRATION-02 project, building on top of the work consolidated in the previous deliverables 6G-INTEGRATION-02-E5 and 6G-INTEGRATION-02-E6. In this final document, the objective is to validate the planned PoCs presented in the previous document in order to demonstrate some of the key concepts and gaps identified in the analysis that have been done for the integration of the NTN and TN networks. Based on the solutions described in 6G-INTEGRATION-02-E5 two use cases will be used for the concept validation: Case 1: NTN as 5G transport – internal MNO operation and Case 2: NTN as 5G transport – managed service |
| 6G-INTEGRATION-02-E8 | Analysis for strategies for combined coverage by NTN + B5G version 1 | This deliverable E8 presents a comprehensive and advances analysis of the state of the art in the standardization of integrated terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks (TN–NTN) within the 5G ecosystem and beyond. It reviews 3GPP releases, architectural frameworks, physical layer challenges, and emerging research directions toward 6G. The focus is on achieving seamless global coverage through multi-layer network integration. This document constitutes the seed and starting point of the future final version of this deliverable, D11 that expects to include the emerging research directions toward 6G. |
| 6G-INTEGRATION-02-E9 | Strategies for federation of terrestrial and spatial edge segments version 1 | This deliverable E9 is the preliminary version of the studies on the edge solutions for integration of terrestrial and non terrestrial networks, TN and NTN respectively. This document introduces the state of the art in the alternatives and standardisation for the deployment of edge computing in this kind of integrated ecosystems, with special emphasis in the challenges in future 6G networks. The final version of this document will be the deliverable E10. |
| 6G-INTEGRATION-02-E10 | Strategies for federation of terrestrial and spatial edge segments version final | This deliverable E10 is the final version of the studies on the edge solutions for integration of terrestrial and non terrestrial networks, TN and NTN respectively. This document continues the work conducted in E9 and explore enabling technologies and algorithms for deployment edge computing within integrated TN and NTN. |
| 6G-INTEGRATION-02-E11 | Analysis for strategies for combined coverage by NTN + B5G Final Version | This deliverable E11 presents a final version of comprehensive and advances analysis of the state of the art in the standardization of integrated terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks (TN–NTN), focused in the 6G ecosystem. It reviews the latest 3GPP releases, architectural frameworks, physical layer challenges, and emerging research directions toward 6G. |
| 6G-INTEGRATION-02-E12 | Federation analysis and proposal | The federation of computing nodes represents an innovative strategy in the field of distributed computing, where autonomous systems converge to collaborate in the execution of complex tasks. This analysis explores in depth the purposes, strategies and requirements essential for the successful implementation of this federation. The primary purpose of node federation is resource optimization, allowing independent computational entities to collaborate in a coordinated manner to execute operations that require combined capabilities. This strategy focuses on maximizing the efficiency, scalability, and agility of distributed systems. |
| 6G-INTEGRATION-02-E13 | Proposal for secure communication between federated elements with valid agreement and a secure registration mechanism for candidates in the federation | This document gives a general idea of how to achieve a secure configuration between clusters, something crucial to guarantee the integrity, confidentiality and availability of the data and services you manage in a distributed environment. |
| 6G-INTEGRATION-02-E14 | Monitoring proposal and definition of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) | The monitoring of federated nodes represents an innovative strategy in the field of distributed resource management, where various systems collaborate to optimize resource utilization and maximize operational efficiency. This document delves into the data models and definition of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) necessary to implement effective and eco-friendly resource monitoring. |
| 6G-INTEGRATION-03-E5 | Innovations for the NTN integration with 3GPP networks | This document reviews the fundamentals of satellite communications and the latest advances in fault-tolerant onboard equipment, AI/ML-based applications in STIN, and advancements and deployments in Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs). Additionally, the document delves into the 3GPP Release 17 standard in the context of NTN and analyzes the state of the art in hardware fault tolerance strategies in the space segment, as well as the applications of AI/ML in optimizing the operation and performance of satellite communications and High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellites (HAPS). Finally, the document concludes with a brief summary of the contributions and the analyzed state of the art. |
| 6G-INTEGRATION-03-E6 | Enhanced innovations for the NTN integration with 3GPP networks | This document provides a summary of examples for enhanced innovations in the NTN integration with 3GPP networks. The main innovations overviewed have to do with the applicability of modern AI/ML algorithms to help modeling, solving and optimizing different aspects of NTNs built with both terrestrial equipment and on-air and space equipment. Main challenges in these types of networks have to do with dealing with high latency, the errors due to radiation and transmission impairments, Doppler shifts, mobility management, handovers between terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks, channel reliability. Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC) can provide caching and computing resources on board to provide near real-time applications to minimise latency. Also intelligent algorithms based on Reinforcement Learning and other AI/ML strategies can be used to optimise network performance from multiple sides: resource optimization, optimal routing, network slicing and mobility management. This document provides an overview of such strategies and algorithms toward a real integration of both terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks with current 5G deployments and emerging 6G networks. |
| 6G-INTEGRATION-03-E7 | Final innovations design for NTN integration with 3GPP networks | This document presents key innovations for integrating High Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS) into non-terrestrial networks (NTN) aligned with 3GPP and 6G standards. It highlights the application of advanced AI and machine learning algorithms, such as reinforcement learning, to optimize resource allocation, routing, network slicing, and mobility management in highly dynamic NTN environments.
The work introduces efficient frame transmission strategies for LEO satellites and HAPS, including “withhold scheduling,” which balances data loads across ground stations to improve throughput and latency. Deep reinforcement learning agents are developed for optimal routing, adapting to real-time changes in network topology and congestion. A modular drone platform equipped with edge computing and 5G connectivity is designed and deployed to validate these innovations in real-world NTN scenarios. The document also analyzes the stringent bandwidth, latency, and reliability requirements of emerging AR/VR applications, informing the design of MEC-enabled HAPS nodes for distributed caching and processing. A convergent NTN-6G architecture is proposed, integrating MEC at HAPS nodes to support seamless handovers and ultra-low latency. Conclusions emphasize the need for holistic co-design of algorithms, hardware, and standards, and identify future research directions in scalable AI, open interfaces, post-quantum security, and advanced materials for HAPS platforms. These contributions form a comprehensive roadmap for scalable, reliable, and high-performance NTN integration towards 6G. |
