SpecX Project at a glance
As 6G advances into new frequency bands, integrates terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks, and enables ambient Internet of Things (IoT), the ability to perform sustainable large-scale spectrum measurement and AI-empowered analysis in five dimensions (3D space, time, frequency) is becoming a highly sought-after skill. Unfortunately, there are not nearly enough specialists and experts to satisfy this growing need. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the SpecX project will develop a high-level research programme, equipping doctoral candidates with crucial skills and knowledge on spectrum measurements, analyses, and applications. This will allow them to develop key breakthroughs across many sectors, fields, and services. The project will combine local and network-wide training, followed by hands-on training in coordination with non-academic partners.
Project Goal
The overall research goal of SpecX is to provide a high-level research programme and doctoral training to 15 Doctoral Candidates (DCs) in large-scale spectrum measurements, analysis, and applications in future telecom infrastructure. The goal is to create a research and innovation workforce in applied mathematics, radio hardware, cellular infrastructure, spectrum data collection, cloud architectures and integration with cellular networks, artificial intelligence, spectrum management methods, and business aspects, to assess and analyse big spectrum data, and provide innovative services and applications. Hands-on in-depth training will be strengthened with non-academic placements, as well as multidisciplinary, intersectoral, and international cooperation, boosting DCs’ employability and the project’s impact in the short- and long-term.
Work Packages
- WP1: Distributed and Collaborative Sensing
- WP2: Spectrum Analytics Service
- WP3: Spectrum Applications
SpecX project abstract and key project information
The Radio Frequency (RF) spectrum is a crucial but finite resource for modern society. Similar to water and air, the spectrum is a shared resource that needs to be used efficiently and sustainably to ensure future generations can make use of it effectively. The radio spectrum is used for a wide range of applications, going from communications (4G, 5G and Wi-Fi) to radar applications, radio astronomy, as well as for monitoring of weather and climate change. As radio technology has developed and expanded at a rapid pace, the spectrum has become highly saturated in many parts of the world. Nonetheless, there are also parts of the world where there is a great need for more radio communication. Large parts of the world and a large part of the world’s population today do not have access to the Internet. To use the spectrum better, both in saturated regions and regions without good coverage, constant research and innovation are needed towards better forms of spectrum use, regulation, and management. To ensure trust between many stakeholders, it is moreover imperative to train multidisciplinary engineers who can navigate technology and policy, as well as multiple spectrum usage domains.
We have organised SpecX into three research work packages, as shown in the figure below. The work packages follow the high-level objectives: sense – analyse – use. We have designed 15 DC projects to achieve the SpecX overall research goals. The specific science/technology (S/T) objectives are summarised in, with each DC leading the contribution to one S/T objective of the overall project. Integration and contribution of individual projects into the overall SpecX concept. As shown in Figure 2, the 15 DC projects are organised in three research work packages: SpecX introduces a bottom-up architecture for distributed and collaborative spectrum sensing in WP1, novel AI-native spectrum data analytics in WP2, and applications of spectrum analytics in WP3 (e.g., for dynamic radio resource allocation, network self-optimisation, safety, policies and monitoring of spectrum regulation compliance). The 15 DCs will synergistically delve into the key scientific gaps for 1) developing efficient, real-time processing for
SpecX Project Consortium
