Hexa-X The European 6G flagship project

TLDR

The Hexa‑X project builds on 6G value indicators and use cases driven by technology push, societal and industry pull, and sovereignty goals, positioning it as a key part of European and global efforts to define next‑generation networks. Hexa‑X aims to pioneer the next generation of wireless networks by conducting explorative research that connects human, physical, and digital worlds through 6G enablers, with a focus on growth, sustainability, trustworthiness, and digital inclusion. The project develops critical 6G enablers—including sub‑THz transceivers, precise positioning, radio‑based imaging, AI/ML‑driven RANs, future architectures, and URLLC schemes—while conducting early trials to evaluate their viability and performance across intelligence, network‑of‑networks, sustainability, coverage, extreme experience, and trustworthiness research areas.

Abstract

Hexa-X will pave the way to the next generation of wireless networks (Hexa) by explorative research (X). The Hexa-X vision is to connect human, physical, and digital worlds with a fabric of sixth generation (6G) key enablers. The vision is driven by the ambition to contribute to objectives of growth, global sustainability, trustworthiness, and digital inclusion. Key 6G value indicators and use cases are defined against the background of technology push, society and industry pull as well as objectives of technology sovereignty. Key areas of research have been formulated accordingly to include connecting intelligence, network of networks, sustainability, global service coverage, extreme experience, and trustworthiness. Critical technology enablers for 6G are developed in the project including, sub-THz transceiver technologies, accurate stand-alone positioning and radio-based imaging, improved radio performance, artificial intelligence (AI) / machine learning (ML) inspired radio access network (RAN) technologies, future network architectures and special purpose solutions including future ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC) schemes. Besides technology enablers, early trials will be carried out to help assess viability and performance aspects of the key technology enablers. The 6G Hexa-X project is integral part of European and global research effort to help define the best possible next generation of networks.