Build a 6G Testbed and Integrate Your Technology

From your technology to a complete end-to-end 5G/6G experimentation environment

Fraunhofer FOKUS builds 6G testbeds for research, technology integration, experimentation, validation and demonstration. Open6GCore provides the configurable network-side foundation, combined with available RAN, UE, transport, edge/cloud, NTN, application and measurement technologies according to the objectives of the project.

The testbed can start from existing FOKUS infrastructure or from components brought by the partner. An application, AI system, robot, device, network function, RAN component, satellite technology, edge platform or another prototype can be integrated into a complete
end-to-end 5G/6G environment.

Bring your own piece

Partners can bring the technology they want to investigate. Fraunhofer FOKUS integrates it with the surrounding network and infrastructure required to operate, observe and validate it.

Bring your technology. Fraunhofer FOKUS builds the 6G testbed around it – from network integration to end-to-end validation and demonstration.

FOKUS contributions

Open6GCore network software and configurable network functions
Integration of project and third-party technologies
RAN and base-station integration
UE and UE-emulation integration
Transport and NTN integration
Edge and cloud integration
Applications, AI systems and external services
Configuration of interfaces, QoS and data paths
Observability, tracing, measurement and experiment control
Project-specific end-to-end testbed configurations

Who needs a 6G testbed?

A 6G testbed is useful both for researchers developing the future network and for teams whose primary research lies outside the network itself.

This includes work on AI, robotics, autonomous systems, industrial applications, sensing, satellite technologies, edge computing, devices and new services that require a realistic and controllable mobile-network environment for integration and validation.

From testbed to end-to-end demonstrator

The same environment can be used to create a working end-to-end 5G/6G demonstrator. The complete chain – device, RAN, core, transport, edge/cloud, application and external technology – can be operated together and instrumented for measurement and demonstration.

These environments support research validation, project reviews, interoperability work, technology showcases and preparation for larger field trials.

Fraunhofer FOKUS has experience with integrated 5G testbeds, demonstrators and trials across industry, healthcare, transport, public safety and other real-world environments (only public-available deployments depicted).

Examples of Fraunhofer FOKUS 5G testbeds and trials in public events, industrial production, disaster management, healthcare, railway infrastructure, aviation, mobile — **Public Events:**
5G Nomadic Node at Festival of Lights 2019 in Berlin
| © Matthias Heyde / Fraunhofer FOKUS