European Researchers Leverage NVIDIA 6G Portfolio to Pioneer AI-Integrated Wireless Networks

European researchers are making significant strides in the development of 6G — the next generation of cellular technology — with the help of NVIDIA's 6G research portfolio, which integrates artificial intelligence (AI) from the ground up. Since the launch of NVIDIA's 6G Developer Program in 2022, over 200 telecommunications organizations in more than 30 European countries have adopted NVIDIA's platforms, tools, and libraries to accelerate their 6G research and development efforts. In the United Kingdom, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology has partnered with NVIDIA to promote the nation's AI development in telecom. This collaboration grants leading U.K. universities access to powerful AI tools, 6G research platforms, and training resources, including NVIDIA AI Aerial and Sionna. According to Sir Chris Bryant, the U.K. Minister for Data Protection and Telecoms, this partnership is crucial for making the U.K. a global leader in advanced connectivity technologies. By equipping academic and research institutions with cutting-edge AI tools and training, the U.K. aims to create more intelligent, efficient, and reliable networks, thereby improving daily digital experiences for citizens. In Finland, the University of Oulu is conducting pioneering research on wireless channel estimation using a real-time network digital twin and synthetic lidar data, facilitated by the NVIDIA Isaac Sim reference application for robotics simulation. The project focuses on developing AI and machine learning features for integrated sensing and communications (ISAC), allowing the network to act as a sensor to enhance its operations. This research also aids in the modeling of the 6G access system, a critical aspect of future network development. France-based OpenAirInterface (OAI) is collaborating with NVIDIA to advance AI-native wireless networks. By integrating OAI's open-source virtualized and open RAN (Radio Access Network) stack with NVIDIA's AI Aerial and Sionna systems, researchers can innovate in 5G and 6G RANs using AI and machine learning at every layer. OAI provides the layer 2+ software for Aerial Commercial Testbed and full-stack O-RAN software for Sionna Research Kit, enabling the creation of more sophisticated and efficient network architectures. In Germany, Fraunhofer HHI is exploring revolutionary methods in neuromorphic wireless cognition for robotic control, utilizing NVIDIA's AI Aerial suite. The research employs an event-based camera to capture robotic movements, which are then processed by a neuromorphic processor. Neural network models decode and recognize gestures, boosting transmission quality over the base station. Additionally, Rohde & Schwarz is setting new benchmarks in AI-powered wireless communication through neural receiver design and testing. At Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in March, they showcased a proof of concept that combines digital twin technology and high-fidelity ray tracing to simulate real-world radio environments. This initiative, developed with NVIDIA Sionna, promises more efficient and reliable testing of next-generation receiver architectures. ETH Zurich is tackling several 6G-related projects in collaboration with NVIDIA, focusing on the performance of AI-native 6G networks. One notable development is the DUIDD (Deep Unfolded Iterative Detector Decoder) architecture, created using NVIDIA Sionna to enhance data transmission and reception efficiency. DUIDD utilizes machine learning to adapt to the local environment, and it is expected to be deployed on the real-time NVIDIA AI Aerial commercial testbed, known as ARC-OTA. Other projects include machine learning-assisted model training, positioning mobile devices using channel charting, and device identification based on their radio frequency signatures. The University of Leeds is developing an agentic architecture to integrate large language models into RAN operations, aiming to achieve scalable and intelligent network orchestration. This involves creating standardized frameworks for deployment, establishing key performance indicators, and building templates for new agents to optimize performance and reduce operational costs. Europe has a storied history in wireless network development, dating back to the 1987 creation of the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM). Today, the European Union continues to spearhead innovation through initiatives such as the Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (6G SNS) and the 6G Flagship project. These programs bring together universities, research institutions, and industry leaders to create next-generation AI-native networks, driving advancements in AI integration, sustainability, and security. NVIDIA's 6G research portfolio is instrumental in this process, offering a comprehensive three-computer solution for developing, simulating, and deploying AI algorithms into wireless stacks. The portfolio includes accelerated compute infrastructure and software libraries like NVIDIA AI Aerial, Sionna, and CUDA-X. NVIDIA is the only provider of a 6G research portfolio with open-source and source-code options, flexible cloud and on-premises setups, and full-stack or component-level choices. The NVIDIA Deep Learning Institute provides essential training on skills required for 6G development, such as simulating physical environments. The NVIDIA 6G Developer Program, launched in 2022, has garnered widespread interest, with over 2,000 researchers from 85 countries joining, resulting in over 190,000 tool downloads and 350+ citations in technical papers and journals. This burgeoning global community underscores the importance of NVIDIA's contributions to 6G research and development. Industry insiders commend the collaboration between European researchers and NVIDIA, noting that it is significantly advancing the field of 6G. The integration of AI across all layers of the network promises to revolutionize how wireless systems operate, making them more adaptive, efficient, and secure. Moreover, the open-source and flexible nature of NVIDIA's tools are particularly valuable, fostering innovation and collaboration among researchers globally. NVIDIA, a leader in AI and high-performance computing, is well-positioned to drive this technological evolution, providing the necessary infrastructure and expertise. With ongoing support from the European Union and key collaborations, the development of AI-native 6G networks is poised to transform digital connectivity and pave the way for a smarter, more sustainable future.