Enabling Hexa-X 6G Vision: An End-to-End Architecture

TL;DR

This paper presents an end-to-end 6G architecture designed within the Hexa-X project, addressing emerging use cases, security, trustworthiness, and sustainability to realize the 6G vision for the 2030s.

Contribution

It proposes a comprehensive 6G architecture that integrates new use cases, security enhancements, and sustainability considerations, advancing beyond previous mobile network architectures.

Findings

Proposes a scalable, secure 6G architecture for future networks.

Addresses security vulnerabilities and trust issues in 6G.

Incorporates sustainability as a core design principle.

Abstract

The end-to-end (E2E) architecture for the 6th generation of mobile network (6G) necessitates a comprehensive design, considering emerging use cases (UCs), requirements, and key value Indicators (KVIs). These UCs collectively share stringent requirements of extreme connectivity, inclusivity, and flexibility imposed on the architecture and its enablers. Furthermore, the trustworthiness and security of the 6G architecture must be enhanced compared to previous generations, owning to the expected increase in security threats and more complex UCs that may expose new security vulnerabilities. Additionally, sustainability emerges as a critical design consideration in the 6G architecture. In light of these new set of values and requirements for 6G, this paper aims to describe an architecture proposed within the Hexa-X, the European 6G flagship project, capable of enabling the above-mentioned 6G vision for the 2030s and beyond.