LINKS è una Fondazione nata da un accordo tra Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo e Politecnico di Torino che opera da 20 anni a livello nazionale ed internazionale nell’ambito della ricerca applicata, dell’innovazione e del trasferimento tecnologico in cui lavorano circa 160 ricercatori. Ha come obiettivo quello di valorizzare la leva della ricerca e dell’innovazione, contribuire alla crescita del sistema socio-economico, attivare processi e progetti di ampio respiro con rilevanti impatti sul territorio ed instaurare un dialogo con il tessuto imprenditoriale locale, nazionale ed internazionale, nell’ottica di condividere e valorizzare conoscenza, esperienza ed innovazione.

Informazioni preliminari/Preliminary information

Descrizione/description

The research community in the field of next-generation networks is actively exploring innovative network architectures and technologies. Such endeavour aims at shaping the future of 6G mobile communication networks which promise to redefine connectivity and enable hyper-distributed applications.

Indeed, 6G is set to be a game-changer. It promises to surpass 5G communication performance by offering an unprecedented level of flexibility and programmability to ensure improved Quality of Service (QoS) and Quality of Experience (QoE) for end-users, as well as more efficient use of computing and network resources. Moreover, future 6G mobile networks are expected to deeply integrate with specific verticals to meet their communication needs. To this aim, 6G networks will instantiate ad hoc services for these verticals and grant access to network data and functionalities. Such strategies will ensure that next-generation 6G mobile networks will deliver an enhanced service level to vertical applications.

Among the various verticals that could benefit from the new features offered by 6G networks, the Connected Autonomous Mobility (CAM) vertical emerges as a major stakeholder. The envisioned 6G networks will lead to ground-breaking scenarios that extend beyond road vehicles to include all actors in mobility, creating a unified intelligent transportation and communication system able to adapt to dynamic conditions. Despite significant results achieved, complex technical challenges have to be addressed to define more flexible and programmable networks providing improved performance as well as efficient resources utilisation meeting services-driven needs.

The goal of the research activity is thus to address such challenges pursuing the definition of smart 6G networks for CAM scenarios. In particular, novel network management techniques, including zero-touch management, and new resource orchestration approaches will be analysed, also exploiting the enhanced capabilities offered by AI algorithms.

A key aspect of this research will be the collaboration with a research organization partner, namely LINKS Foundation, to apply the theoretical approaches to practical real-world CAM scenarios. More specifically, the Ph.D. candidate will collaborate with the “Connected Systems and Cybersecurity” Research Domain within LINKS Foundation.

In this context, there will be the possibility to collaborate within EU funded Horizon Europe projects that fall within the topics of 6G and CAM. For instance, LINKS Foundation is partner of ENVELOPE [1] HE project. In this project, LINKS Foundation has a major role as leader of the Italian trial site located in Torino. The relevant research activities are inherent to the CAM vertical and they target a 6G testbed setup. Such testbed will be the starting point for the creation of an ecosystem devoted to applied research in the context of 6G mobile networks in Torino. Additionally, ENVELOPE foresees the organisation of open calls for involving external experimenters and relevant industries. The possibility to engage start-ups and SMEs experimenting with the 6G testbed will possibly magnify the initiative impact, also attracting other national and international enterprise actors.

It is worth mentioning that LINKS Foundation is also involved in international initiatives and alliances. LINKS Foundation is a member of the 6G Smart Networks and Services Industry Association (6G-IA) [2] which, jointly with the EC, leads the Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU). LINKS is part of several initiatives of the Connected, Cooperative and Automated Mobility (CCAM) Partnership. As an example, LINKS is currently participating in PoDIUM [4] project where CAM-focused testbeds are deployed in Torino. Finally, LINKS is member of ERTICO [5] i.e., a public-private partnership organisation devoted to the CAM vertical.

These activities contribute to the development of 6G/CAM ecosystems in Torino that LINKS Foundation is pursuing.

[1] https://envelope-project.eu/

[2] https://6g-ia.eu/

[3] https://www.ccam.eu/

[4] https://podium-project.eu/

[5] https://ertico.com/

Modalità partecipazione

Nell’ambito della collaborazione con il Dipartimento di Elettronica e Telecomunicazioni del Politecnico di Torino ed in particolare con la Prof.ssa Carla Fabiana Chiasserini, la Fondazione LINKS intende sfruttare l’opportunità offerta dal DD.MM. n. 630 del 24 aprile 2024 e cofinanziare un percorso di dottorato di durata triennale, a partire dall’anno accademico 2024/2025, dal titolo “6G Networks for Mobile Autonomous Systems”.

Dettagli e tempistiche: sono disponibili nella seguente pagina web:

https://www.polito.it/didattica/dottorato-di-ricerca-e-scuola-di-specializzazione/ammissione-al-dottorato/ammissione/bando-di-concorso

Scadenza: 28/06/2024

I vincitori del bando avranno la possibilità di selezionare il percorso di dottorato che prevede una collaborazione più stretta con la Fondazione LINKS.

Posizioni: n. 01