The lead project CampusOS is coordinated by the Fraunhofer Institutes HHI and FOKUS. Since its start in 2022 it has been funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK).
With CampusOS Germany wants to secure and further expand its worldwide pioneer role of operating 5G campus networks. The ecosystem is to be supported in the form of a technology construction kit for which a building block catalog will be created and provided with proposals for different operator models.
Thanks to network virtualization, which is supplemented by Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, end devices and functionalities of the Radio Access Network (RAN) and Core Network (CORE) can thus be combined dynamically and in line with demands to form a modular and secure 5G campus network. To test the new ecosystem, the Fraunhofer Institutes HHI and FOKUS are setting up reference testbeds in Berlin.
A key approach of CampusOS is to consolidate an overview of the different technical components used to realize open and modular 5G campus networks. The goal of CampusOS is to provide a catalog of technical building blocks for the realization of specialized campus networks and to develop tools for dimensioning, planning, network management, and optimization. For this purpose, existing components are analyzed with respect to performance, scalability, interoperability, and security/trustworthiness. In addition, new components will also be developed. These components relate to the various technology areas RAN, Core, RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC), as well as orchestration, management, and planning. The creation of the building block catalog follows the methodology and uses the tools developed in the previous publicly funded project Industrial Communication for Factories [IC4F].
It contains all essential functional components and interfaces that define an open and modular 5G campus network with regard to architecture creation (architecture building blocks, ABBs) and realization (solution building blocks, SBBs). Selected HW/SW components of the building block catalog are tested in the reference testbeds in end-to-end scenarios and may receive a CampusOS test label.
The lead project CampusOS will also conduct an extensive analysis of the emerging market for open and modular campus networks. Starting from an analysis of relevant value-added segments from the user’s side, new roles and stakeholders along the life cycle of campus networks shall be identified in order to derive connecting factors for new business and operator models.
Ultimately, for selected vertical segments, devised implementation alternatives for the operation of open, modular campus networks (operator models) will be evaluated. As a result, a selected operator model will be added to the developed CampusOS technology construction kit.
In the detailed process model, the project will capture the corresponding value chains for various representative case studies and analyze the associated roles and stakeholders. Based on this, the requirements for network operations are then defined for various verticals and/or use cases and implementation alternatives for operator models of open, modular campus networks are designed. In conclusion the lead project will draft a recommendation for an evaluation scheme for operator models and as well as stakeholder recommendations.
The Fraunhofer institutes FOKUS and HHI, at their locations in Berlin, are building reference testbeds with components of the ecosystem. In these reference testbeds single components and different combinations are checked regarding performance and interoperability and selected reference architectures, together with architecture building blocks, are verified.
In addition, technical implementations of operator models, together with selected solution building blocks for open 5G campus networks are tested and evaluated. The industrial use cases intended for evaluation are coming from market-leading industry partners and are being implemented in real-life operations through demonstrators at selected locations.
The following graphic shows the locations of reference testbeds and demonstrators.
Industrie 4.0
Especially with Industrie 4.0 applications – as with the here viewed AGV implementation – open 5G campus networks can play out their strengths. In this use case, efficient, autonomous AGVs are connected to local edge cloud systems via an open 5G campus network and transmit extensive data packages consisting of 3D scans and camera shots as well as time-sensitive control signals. Besides a more effective localization, this also serves as a continuous 3D illustration of the entire storage area as well as the real-time control of large AGV fleets. The goal is the improvement of in-house transport processes and the increase of security in storage areas.
Furthermore, industrial applications of the supply chain solution area are looked at. In the use case, environmental parameters are collected and measurements of communication technology systems in 3-dimensional space are performed. The challenge lies in the reliable communication in very complex metallic structures with a simultaneously large number of fast moving transport units in these areas. In addition, large amounts of live data are transmitted for maintenance optimization.
In both cases, the multiplication approach is followed in terms of building the ecosystem to serve many customers with different requirements. This will also clarify whether a “bring-your-own” 5G campus network operator model, whereby a 5G network is provided by a supplier as a subsystem, meets the requirements regarding quality, availability, interfaces and performance properties, and interoperability.
Connected Mobility
The planned use case is teleoperated driving in a geographically limited region, such as within parking garages, on company yards, or a production site. In this case, a teleoperator takes control of a vehicle using a remote control system in order to drive and maneuver it safely within the area and/or to load or unload goods. This requires the time-critical transmission of sensor data such as video, LIDAR, GNSS, etc., from the vehicle back to the teleoperator, as well as the commands for control such as braking or steering.
The use of open and modular 5G campus networks in support of this use case is promising for several reasons. Campus networks can be tailored to the detailed requirements of the teleoperated driving, i.e., high data rates from vehicle to teleoperator for uploads and low data rates for downloads, both with low latencies. Furthermore, open interfaces to all network elements such as SMO, RAN, and Core enable the network monitoring from a user’s view, where in-time and necessary reactions on the application and/or network side can be triggered. A practical evaluation of the above-mentioned aspects and their impacts on end-to-end performance is planned for this use case.
Connected Construction Site
Application scenarios in the area of connected construction sites and construction logistics are local and time limited. An essential application in the area of construction logistics is the near real-time coordination of distributed and partially mobile work processes on the basis of digital construction site twins. Through near real-time aggregation and analysis of sensor, position, video, or laser 3D data a virtual image of the construction site is created, which will be continuously and near real-time updated. 3D-controlled construction machinery must continuously be provided with corrected data for position determination. Also, an essential component is the continuous comparison of ACTUAL and TARGET conditions in order to record the current construction progress and to make it available for further construction planning. Construction workers can receive additional support for current workflows via AR data goggles. Moreover, very short response times and increased workflow speeds require, aside from larger data volumes, very low latencies for communication and the processing of the data.
Hence, this places high demands on 5G-based campus networks. Nomadic systems, using open RAN solutions, enable an optimal placement of the data processing infrastructure, as well as mechanisms ensuring that unwanted interferences do not lead to a disruption of the existing sensory. Likewise, an additional, essential application in the area of the connected construction site is the personal and system protection where hazards are identified early on and appropriate measures must be taken at an early stage (emergency shutoff of machinery, alerts, etc.). The digital construction site twin also supports this use case with near real-time position, 3D, and sensor data. Furthermore, testing is necessary in order to determine whether the used technology meets the harsh and changing environmental conditions.
The lead project CampusOS is coordinated by the Fraunhofer Institutes HHI and FOKUS. Since its start in 2022 it has been funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK).
With CampusOS Germany wants to secure and further expand its worldwide pioneer role of operating 5G campus networks. The ecosystem is to be supported in the form of a technology construction kit for which a building block catalog will be created and provided with proposals for different operator models.
Thanks to network virtualization, which is supplemented by Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, end devices and functionalities of the Radio Access Network (RAN) and Core Network (CORE) can thus be combined dynamically and in line with demands to form a modular and secure 5G campus network. To test the new ecosystem, the Fraunhofer Institutes HHI and FOKUS are setting up reference testbeds in Berlin.
A key approach of CampusOS is to consolidate an overview of the different technical components used to realize open and modular 5G campus networks. The goal of CampusOS is to provide a catalog of technical building blocks for the realization of specialized campus networks and to develop tools for dimensioning, planning, network management, and optimization. For this purpose, existing components are analyzed with respect to performance, scalability, interoperability, and security/trustworthiness. In addition, new components will also be developed. These components relate to the various technology areas RAN, Core, RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC), as well as orchestration, management, and planning. The creation of the building block catalog follows the methodology and uses the tools developed in the previous publicly funded project Industrial Communication for Factories [IC4F].
It contains all essential functional components and interfaces that define an open and modular 5G campus network with regard to architecture creation (architecture building blocks, ABBs) and realization (solution building blocks, SBBs). Selected HW/SW components of the building block catalog are tested in the reference testbeds in end-to-end scenarios and may receive a CampusOS test label.
The lead project CampusOS will also conduct an extensive analysis of the emerging market for open and modular campus networks. Starting from an analysis of relevant value-added segments from the user’s side, new roles and stakeholders along the life cycle of campus networks shall be identified in order to derive connecting factors for new business and operator models.
Ultimately, for selected vertical segments, devised implementation alternatives for the operation of open, modular campus networks (operator models) will be evaluated. As a result, a selected operator model will be added to the developed CampusOS technology construction kit.
In the detailed process model, the project will capture the corresponding value chains for various representative case studies and analyze the associated roles and stakeholders. Based on this, the requirements for network operations are then defined for various verticals and/or use cases and implementation alternatives for operator models of open, modular campus networks are designed. In conclusion the lead project will draft a recommendation for an evaluation scheme for operator models and as well as stakeholder recommendations.
The Fraunhofer institutes FOKUS and HHI, at their locations in Berlin, are building reference testbeds with components of the ecosystem. In these reference testbeds single components and different combinations are checked regarding performance and interoperability and selected reference architectures, together with architecture building blocks, are verified.
In addition, technical implementations of operator models, together with selected solution building blocks for open 5G campus networks are tested and evaluated. The industrial use cases intended for evaluation are coming from market-leading industry partners and are being implemented in real-life operations through demonstrators at selected locations.
The following graphic shows the locations of reference testbeds and demonstrators.
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