Intelligent Communication Infrastructures Laboratory

The research activities of the ICI lab are performed in two main areas:

1. Creation of unique test-beds for validation and certification of industrial solutions and components for the European Railway Traffic Management Systems (ERTMS), incl. European Vital Computer: EVC and Balise Transmission Module (BTM) test beds.
2. Creation of platforms for analysis of next generation communications, incl. 5G and for for LoRaWAN, IoT and M2M applications using the ISM frequency bands.

In the field of ERTMS is performed:

• testing of on-board computer EVC (European Vital Computer), according to the requirements of Subset-26, Subset-076 and Subset-094;
• analysis of the compatibility of a train with the railway line, to provide an opportunity for early detection of problems in the validation of the train/railway line compatibility on the basis of design data, operational and technical rules, etc .;
• testing of Eurobalises and BTM (Balise Transmission Module), according to Subset-036 and Subset-085;
• providing software and hardware tools for signal quality analysis from the balises;
• services and test capabilities for upgrading the road infrastructure to standards with newer versions (baselines).

In the area of next generation communications research and development activities are carried out in the field of:

• development of specific SW and HW platforms for simulation and analysis of the operation of new generation telecommunication networks;
• processing of RF data and analysis of telecommunication spectrum occupancy;
• new RAN technologies;
• IoT and M2M communications.

Projects

1. Project “Integrated platform for construction, maintenance and management of systems of the type ” smart cities” and “smart homes”. OP “Innovation and Competitiveness” 2014-2020. Procedure BG16RFOP002-1.005: “Development of product and production innovations”.

The aim of the project is to offer an integrated platform (IP), which is a set of tools, functionalities, protocols and services, allowing the implementation of simple or complex IoT solutions, modeled according to customer requirements. This single IP will allow the realization of cross-links for interactive data exchange between existing and future vertical information systems providing digital services. The IP will be a world-class product innovation because it is a fully integrated service for building, monitoring, servicing and managing all the omponents of modern IoT networks, regardless of their type  – “smart cities” or “smart homes”.

2. Project “Monitoring and analysis of interference and spectrum occupancy in ISM-bands for the implementation of reliable IoT applications”. № D-098-2019 / 02.10.2019. (2019 – 2020).

The main objectives of the project are related to: a) building a cloud architecture of a sensor network for spectrum monitoring, where the collection, storage and processing of radio frequency signals or I/Q data in baseband frequency, as well as signal processing and protocols of the higher levels, is carried out on the basis of cloud technologies; (b) a study of the actual occupancy of the ISM spectrum in different scenarios; (c) exploring approaches to the possible implementation and implementation of mechanisms to ensure more efficient spectrum access.

3. Project MOTOR5G. No. 861219. H2020-MSCA-ITN-2019. (2020 – 2023)

The MOTOR5G research aims to efficiently design a Future Wireless Network (FWN) that shall provide diversified services such as enhanced mobile broadband access, ultra-reliable low-latency communications, and massive machine-type communications. The scope of research within MOTOR5G includes:

• AI algorithms for network prediction, Quality of Experience, and intelligent tools for supporting cooperation, orchestration, and security of FWNs.
• Enhancing coverage, capacity, intelligence, and reduce latency by enabling self-organized and self-aware FWNs.
• Proofs of concept to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed innovative techniques and encourage deployment, through prototyping and experimental research activities.
• Novel principles for mm-Wave and Licensed Shared Access (LSA) in harmony with optimal business models-enhance capacity, data rate, and reliability of FWNs.
• Novel antennas for FWNs, based on novel BF algorithms, to improve communication efficiency by saving energy and making FWNs environmentally friendly.
• Developing a pool of talented researchers for innovative and entrepreneurially oriented research on FWNs with expertise in mm-Wave, LSA, AI, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, IoT, and antenna design technologies.

4. Project RECOMBINE. No. 872857. H2020-MSCA-RISE-2019. (2020 – 2023)

Future wireless networks (FWNs) will need to efficiently and flexibly provide diversified services such as ultra-reliable low-latency communications, and massive machine-type communications.

RECOMBINE joins the scientific excellence and expertise of key academic and industrial players into a joint collaborative effort to build the framework for the design of FWNs beyond 5G that are able to support multiple operational standards for exploitation of intrinsic network heterogeneity; capable of processing information generated from a huge volume of heterogeneous sources and with sufficient intrinsic resilience to counter potential security threats.

RECOMBINE will pursue innovations for advancing in the areas of mm-wave technology, spectrum access, antenna design, channel modeling, and network prediction and quality of experience supported by artificial intelligence.

RECOMBINE will integrate scientific and business model innovations for building a framework to fulfill the economic potential of FWNs.

RECOMBINE project Partners

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