6G Devices -

Expected Outcome:

The primary outcome of this work is a widely endorsed European roadmap outlining options based on device complexity, target markets, and connectivity capabilities, accompanied by a strategy to revitalize European industrial capabilities in 5G/6G devices, which:

• Address in priority part of the end device market, notably that related to vertical specific use-cases with the objective of generating huge downstream production volumes, beyond the sole infrastructure segment.

• Support the telecom industry, through evidence-based recommendations and requirements, towards the provision of end-to-end capabilities serving key vertical markets with comprehensive EU offers across the value chain.

• Support to the SNS JU and the EC to define and implement measures aiming at strengthening the position of Europe’s industry in the global 6G devices value chain.

• Support the microelectronics industry through evidence-based recommendations and requirements on how to achieve the volumes it needs from an economic perspective.

• Support the emergence of a complete European device-network ecosystem fuelling the deployment of 5G SA solutions towards 6G, as examples like 5G Redcap come with SA connectivity requirements.

• Identify key and priority vertical use cases which could be early adopters of such device capabilities, in particular looking into novel 6G potential markets. These use-cases will have to be characterized in terms of key device requirements (storage, processing, connectivity, intelligence).

• Federate European relevant actors around a device initiative that could be implemented during the next R&I framework programme in the context of the new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) of the European Union (EU).

• Identify the main/critical issues and milestones for success such as technology, experimental facilities, open technology test platforms, integration in vertical business models as a function of the target device, connectivity options and use cases requirements.

• Structure the ecosystem of main players, telecom, microelectronics, key use cases/verticals, public actors.

• Assess the readiness of the European technological supply side and analyse its strengths and weaknesses.

• Identify links with key national initiatives and propose areas for cooperation.

• Identify potential links with the Chips JU and programmatic elements that may be relevant to address in the Chips JU context.

Objective:

Please refer to the "Specific Challenges and Objectives" section for Stream CSA-02 in the Work Programme, available under ‘Topic Conditions and Documents - Additional Documents’.

Scope:

The scope covers:

• A structured dialogue between the main actors of the European telecom and microelectronics industries, duly complemented with representative verticals as well as institutional players (e.g. for security of public service type of applications) defining the requirements for lower complexity “RedCap” like devices, and its potential evolutions in the context of the technology development towards 6G.

• Identification of the key/priority use-cases and the associated industries that may be used as lead market for early adoption and take up, including core requirements to be served in terms of storage, computing, intelligence, connectivity.

• Analysis of opportunities and threats for the EU’s technological basis, technological competitiveness, and access to leading-edge technology vis-à-vis international competition in the area of 6G devices.

• Identification of key technologies (notably in the microelectronics domain) to develop simplified classes of devices, their mapping with European industrial capabilities the identification of potential gaps in the supply chain, and proposals to “close the gaps”, either from a pure European perspective or with strategic partnerships worldwide. Identification of potential linkages with the Chips JU and the tools developed like the pilot lines is particularly relevant.

• Identification of key technologies and industrial know how requirements, to be mapped with EU capabilities covering 3 basic scenarios: i) TN only devices, with capabilities corresponding with startegic verticals; ii) TN and NTN compatible devices, with integrated electronics making interoperability possible between the two connectivity environments. Integration of WiFi may also be considered as appropriate (indoor scenarios); iii) high end smartphone like devices, to be considered as benchmark scenarios to map technological and industrial capabilities and identify EU gaps.

• Definition of an option dependent roadmap (see previous bullet point) for the exploratory development of such devices covering the core technologies, the experimental facilities, and the use-cases for early deployment scenarios of novel advanced systems. The chosen model for device should preferably be based on open technologies like RISC V where applicable.

• Within the key technologies contributing to the realization of such devices, the role of AI at edge is particularly relevant. The work should hence cover edge distributed AI, functionalities implemented in the device or in the edge, type of model to be used and related complexity.

• Identification of technological approaches enabling eco-friendly device design from a construction/deconstruction perspective.

• Definition of the software development ecosystem needed to support the use of these devices in various applications domains (e.g. applications for professional use or entertainment).

• Identification of relevant national initiatives and the development of a cooperation strategy to leverage national efforts at EU level.

Altogether, the scope of the CSA should cover the full definition of a European industrial programme to relaunch a device capability in Europe, which may be implemented either at EU level or/and at national level.

NB: Considering the timing constraints to follow up with a potential European device initiative under the next MFF, a project duration of up to 2 years is expected.

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