6G-SANDBOX

6G-VLCBOX will onboard, experiment with and validate an end-to-end 3GPP Rel-18 system incorporating, for the first time and in an open-source environment, 5G Multicast-Broadcast Services (MBS) features for reliable, low latency, and scalable communication. The open-source software components for MBS contribute towards the SNS Stream C goals of advancing on open architectures and APIs while providing full customisation and control for 6G-SANDBOX members and the community. The ability to customise code and configuration is of particular relevance given that MBS spans the UE, RAN (gNB), 5G Core (5GC) and User Services architecture. The project will develop the necessary 3GPP features to enable MBS by extending existing open-source initiatives. For the MBS RAN and UE, the srsRAN platform will be further developed to integrate point-to-multipoint NR features. At the same time, for the MBS functions in the 5GC, the relevant control and user plane network functions will be extended from the Open5GS core implementation. This means updating both segments of the solution to Rel-17 and Rel-18 functionalities. The solutions will be integrated into Malaga’s platform, which already features SDR (software-defined radio) equipment and Open5GS, to create a new type of Broadcast-enabled Trial Network. The project's developments will be aligned with the efforts of the 5G-MAG Reference Tools development programme, which fills the gaps between the development of specifications for multimedia applications and their conformance testing, validation and prototyping. Moreover, the project will contribute feedback to 3GPP as part of 5G-MAG’s activities as a 3GPP Market Representative Partner. Additionally, 6G-VLCBOX will also provide insight into MBS applications for media, public safety and its potential integration with Non-Terrestrial Networks.