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A consortium of major Finnish industrial and academic stakeholders launched a new project that aims to accelerate the development of technologies and radio frequency (RF) design related to 5G to 6G networks.

The project named RF ECO3, which is part of the Business Finland Veturi programme, aims to address challenges related to radio frequency (RF) design for ultra-fast communications and the potential for high-resolution sensing in forthcoming 6G radio systems. In particular, these will focus on driving ecological and economic benefits for both industry and society.

6G technology includes a vastly enhanced capacity for communications as well as the ability to sense objects and the surrounding environment simultaneously. Energy efficiency and resilience in different environmental conditions are core problems that the project seeks to address in 5G advanced and 6G radios.

“The solutions we will develop in this project already have large existing markets abroad. We are creating faster and more reliable data connections and devices that consume less energy. The energy load on data transmission is expected to increase by up to 20 times due to increased traffic in the networks. In 6G, the bit per joule ratio must be improved by 5-10 times compared to 5G technology. Hardware components and their efficient design for future application requirements are indisputable assets for the industrial success of extremely complex radios targeted for new applications in 6G,” says the project lead, Aarno Pärssinen, Professor of Radio Engineering from the University of Oulu.

“Radio frequency design and energy efficiency are critical for the 6G era to meet the demands of new applications, address sustainability concerns, and overcome technical challenges. By optimising RF design, together with our strategic Veturi ecosystem partners, we can create and validate new technological enablers for the future sustainable 6G networks”, says Toni Hirvinen, VP, Head of RAN R&D RL1, Mobile Networks, Nokia.

“Bittium researches in the RF ECO3 project modern RF simulation, modelling, design and testing methods. Effective methods and processes improve product development and product life cycle energy efficiency. Continuous competencies and operations improvement together with strategic Veturi ecosystem, research, and industry partners’ co-innovation play a key role in maintaining competitiveness in technology development”, says Petri Lämsä, Director Competencies, Bittium Engineering Services.  

RF ECO3 is the lead ecosystem project for the Business Finland Veturi programme. Partners of this industrial co-creation project funded by Business Finland include seven companies and four research organisations: Nokia, Bittium, CoreHW, SAAB, Optenni, Verkotan, Senfit, University of Oulu, Aalto University, University of Tampere and VTT. The project will last until the end of 2027.

Read more: Business Finland Veturi programme