ORIX

ORIX aims to develop an xApps-based controller for the open, reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs) platform in the 6G-BRICKS testbed. The proposal integrates RIS into next-generation wireless communication systems using an open radio access network (O-RAN). ORIX presents a practical implementation of RISs using the RF simulator of the 5G OpenAirInterface (OAI) emulator integrated with a RAN intelligent controller (RIC) to optimize the phase shifts of the RIS.

The project will develop xApps to collect network performance metrics such as reference signal reception power and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), which will be used to optimize RIS configurations over the network for data rates and SNR improvement. Before deploying network-controlled RIS in a real end-to-end O-RAN network, the control algorithms of the RIS need to be validated in a simulation environment. Since one of the demonstrations targeted by 6G-BRICKS will show how 6G will support autonomous robots for Industry 4.0, the proposed project aims to enhance the RIS simulator environment to cover Industry 4.0 scenarios. In order to demonstrate the capabilities of RIS for next generation wireless networks, it is crucial to showcase an implementation of RISs using RIC in a flexible and open-source 5G OAI emulator.

ORIX Project has been selected for funding in the first open call of 6G-BRICKS project. 6G-BRICKS project has received funding from the Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU) under the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under Grand Agreement No 101096954.