6G-CATS - AI-Powered 6G Networks: Secure, Energy-Efficient and High-Speed End-to-End Communication supporting Sensing and Mobility
6G-CATS will demonstrate an AI-powered, disaggregated and secure 6G optical infrastructure capable of supporting a wide range of end-user applications in a sustainable manner. It makes a concerted effort towards pairing high-speed optical access and metro technologies with real-time intelligence, end-to-end resiliency and native security.
6G-CATS will build on DSP-free quasi-coherent technology for unshared 50 Gb/s passive optical network (PON) and filterless metro DWDM transmission, supported by 200 Gb/s linear pluggable optics (LPO) at the fronthaul. Optical multi-band switching will enable flexible networking and composability. An extension to the non-terrestrial network (NTN) domain will be made through drone-based free-space optics for fiber-grade dual-connectivity.
Beyond-communication functions include multi-modal sensing capabilities and a multi-layered security framework. Network-wide integrated sensing and communication (ISAC), distributed fiber sensing and connected LiDARs will jointly enable (i) predictive maintenance for network elements and furniture, (ii) detection of physical risks, (iii) connected mobility, and (iv) unauthorized access. Trust enforcement is further propelled through a quantum-resilient infrastructure, which seamlessly integrates quantum functions in multi-purpose transceivers while provisioning synthesized quantum networks and end-to-end quantum-optic channels to handheld devices. A security continuum will be spanned through hybrid QKD/PQC schemes. Fine-grained personalization of the security level will be facilitated through AI-based intent translation.
All network functions will be orchestrated through an energy-aware AI framework that ensures dynamic optimization of both, cloud and network resources. Sustainable operation across diverse environments and use-cases will be based on energy-conscious resource selection. Enhanced AI/ML support will be integrated for three high-impact use-cases: connected mobility, 6G resiliency and service continuity, and secure automation. 6G-CATS will validate these in a Stream-C experimentation platform.
Goals:
Within 6G-CATS, the OQT team will advance optical-wireless telecommunication systems, involving non-terrestrial network support through UAV technology. Moreover, the team will simplify distribute acousto-optic fiber sensing technology for a pervasive use across 6G infrastructures. The team will investigate the “integrated quantum and communication” paradigm to introduce multi-functional chip-scale QKD technology in the access- and fronthaul domains, and demonstrate handheld QKD through re-use of the 6G infrastructure. AIT will also host one of the 6G-CATS use-case demonstrators.
Start: 01.09.2026
End: 31.08.2029
Funding: EU 6G Smart Networks and Services (SNS)
Weblink: www.6g-cats.eu
Partners: Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE), Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya (UPC), Centre Tecnologic de Telecomunications de Catalunya (CTTC), AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, Bifrost Communications, Ericsson Telecomunicazioni, Nvidia Greece, Beamagine, National and Kapodistrian Univ. of Athens, National Centre for Scientific Research Demokritos, Internet Institute, Febus Optics, Nextworks, Infolysis, X-Net Services
