MRI: Development of X-Mili: An Open, Programmable Platform to Conquer the 5G and 6G Wireless Spectrum

毫米波（mmWave）频带中的通信已经通过实现多Gbps速率而成为带宽紧缩问题的潜在解决方案。28 GHz和38 GHz频段的通信是5G蜂窝架构的主要组成部分，预计更高频率的通信将在即将到来的6 G架构中发挥重要作用。 拟议项目将获得必要的硬件和软件组件，以建立X-Mili，一个8节点毫米波实验测试平台，它将结合联合收割机以下功能：（i）在60 GHz和28 GHz下的双频操作，实现WLAN和5G蜂窝研究，以及向更高（6 G）频带的扩展，（ii）实用的相控天线阵列，（iii）双向SISO，2x2 SU-MIMO和MU-MIMO操作，（iv）协议栈所有层的完全可编程性，以及（vi）O-RAN兼容性&。（正交频分复用）信道和用于5G和6 G频带的新PHY层设计，用于单用户和多用户MIMO和链路自适应的新算法的跨层设计，机器学习驱动的链路和网络自适应、资源分配和网络管理、软件定义网络、5G网络安全、联合感知和通信、通过毫米波网络实现高带宽、低延迟应用、频谱感知和生命体征监测。拟议的开发活动将为毫米波研究界提供一个独特的实验平台，可能有助于推进毫米波通信、网络和传感领域的研究活动。在开发阶段产生的所有测量数据以及使用该仪器的研究小组提供的数据集都将公开。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并被认为值得通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估来支持。

Communication in the millimeter wave (mmWave) frequency bands has emerged as a potential solution to the bandwidth crunch problem by realizing multi-Gbps rates. Communication in the 28 GHz and 38 GHz spectrum bands is a major building block of the 5G cellular architecture, and communication at even higher frequencies is expected to play a major role in the upcoming 6G architecture. The proposed project will acquire the necessary hardware and software components to build X-Mili, an 8-node mmWave experimental testbed, which would combine the following features: (i) dual-band operation at both 60 GHz and 28 GHz, enabling both WLAN and5G cellular research, and extensibility towards higher (6G) frequency bands, (ii) practical phased antenna arrays, (iii) bidirectional SISO, 2x2 SU-MIMO, and MU-MIMO operations in both bands, (iv) full programmability at all layers of the protocol stack, and (vi) O-RAN compliance.Example projects enabled by the proposed infrastructure include characterization of ultra-wideband MIMO (Multiple-Input & Multiple-Output) and OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing) channels and new PHY layer design for 5G and 6G bands, cross-layer design of novel algorithms for single-user and multi-user MIMO and link adaptation, machine learning-driven link and network adaptation, resource allocation, and network management, software defined networking, security in 5G networks, joint sensing and communications, enabling high-bandwidth, low-latency applications over mmWave networks, spectrum sensing, and vital sign monitoring. The proposed development activity would provide the mmWave research community with a unique experimental platform that may be instrumental in advancing research activities in the fields of mmWave communications, networking, and sensing. All measurement data generated during the development phase as well as datasets contributed by research groups using the instrument would become publicly available.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.