5G will have to cope with a high degree of heterogeneity in terms of: (a) services (mobile broadband, massive machine and mission critical communications, broad-/multicast services and vehicular communications); (b) device classes (low-end sensors to high-end tablets); (c) deployment types (macro and small cells); (d) environments (low-density to ultra-dense urban); (e) mobility levels (static to high-speed transport). Consequently, diverse and often contradicting Key Performance Indicators need to be supported, such as high capacity/user-rates, low latency, high reliability, ubiquitous coverage, high mobility, massive number of devices, low cost/energy consumption. 4G is not designed to meet such a high degree of heterogeneity efficiently. Moreover, having multiple radio access technologies for multi-service support below 6GHz will be too costly. FANTASTIC-5G will develop a new multi-service Air Interface (AI) for below 6 GHz through a modular design. To allow the system to adapt to the anticipated heterogeneity, the pursued properties are: flexibility, scalability, versatility, efficiency, future-proofness. To this end, we will develop the technical AI components (e.g. flexible waveform and frame design, scalable multiple access procedures, adaptive retransmission schemes, enhanced multi-antenna schemes with/without cooperation, advanced multi-user detection, interference coordination, support for ultra-dense cell layouts, multi-cell radio resource management, device-to-device) and integrate them into an overall AI framework where adaptation to the above described sources of heterogeneity will be accomplished. Our work will also comprise intense validation and system level simulations. FANTASTIC-5G includes partners being active in forerunning projects like METIS, 5GNOW and EMPATHIC ensuring the exploitation of the respective outcomes. The consortium possesses the main stakeholders for innovation and impacting standardization, maintaining Europe at the forefront.

To deliver on our European 6G vision for the 2030s, and to tackle opportunities and challenges of increasing magnitude, e.g., sustainability, trustworthiness, green deal efficiency, digital inclusion, there is need for a flagship project, towards the elaboration of a holistic 6G network platform and system. To fill this need, Hexa-X-II is proposed with the ambition of being this flagship project, and of inspiring the world for digital transformation through novel 6G services. Hexa-X-II will work, beyond enabler-oriented research, to optimized systemization, early validation, and proof-of-concept; work will progress from the 6G key enablers that connect the human, physical, and digital worlds, as explored in Hexa-X, to advanced technology readiness levels, including key aspects of modules / protocols / interfaces / data. Hexa-X II includes: (a) the provision of advanced / refined use cases, services, and requirements, ensuring value for society; (b) the delivery of the 6G platform blueprint, which will encompass enhanced connectivity for 6G services, mechanisms realizing the “networks beyond communications” vision (sensing, computing, trustworthy AI), efficient network management schemes; (c) the realization of extended validation at system and component level; (d) actions for global impact, while assuring strategic autonomy in critical areas for the EU. Europe is starting from the pole position with 6G research and is leading wireless network technologies today. Now is the time to leverage our joint research ambition with a flagship project that will lead the R&D effort towards end-to-end systemization and validation. The Hexa-X-II flagship is a unique effort and a holistic vision, of a 6G system of integrated technology enablers, which accomplish “beyond the sum of the parts”, and of a “network beyond communications” platform for disruptive economic / environmental / societal impact; these are vital for establishing the European 6G technology leadership!

The key objective of the DroC2om project is to contribute to the definition of integrated cellular-satellite data link specifications for UASs. Major focus will be on the design and evaluation of data links based on experimental radio investigations and system simulations. The primary goal is to design a cellular-satellite system architecture concept, which ensures reliable and safe operation for remote controlled, semi-autonomous and fully autonomous small UAS. The DroC2om project will design and evaluate an integrated cellular-satellite system architecture concept for data links in order to support reliable and safe operation of UAS based on real drone measurements and modelling. The diversity of the project partners ensures a balanced and high quality expertise in all relevant technological areas. • Thales Alenia Space is a key player in aerospace air/ground communications. • Nokia is one of the major mobile service and infrastructure providers worldwide. • atesio provides solutions for automatic planning and optimization algorithms of multi-layer multi-service cellular telecommunication networks. • Aalborg University has a well-established research centre for mobile communications systems. To meet its objectives, the approach of DroC2om is to structure the work around four main building blocks that will be communicating with each other along the execution of the project following a continuous delivery approach: 1. Definition of scenarios and requirements 2. Software-based evaluation environment for aerial drone communication 3. Aerial communication system architecture 4. Drone flight and measurements All these four building blocks will be structured by a tight and rigorous management action from the project manager (PM) and the technical manager (TM), and complemented with a particular action devoted to ensure the proper dissemination of all activities, results, and outcomes of the project to maximize impact and visibility of the actions carried out.