The 6G conference, organized by Istanbul Medipol University’s Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, took place at Medipol University’s South Campus from September 23 to 25, 2024. The conference, where projects shaping the future of communication technologies were showcased, brought together many high-level participants from the public sector, academia, and private industry.
In the conference, which focused on communication technologies and Türkiye’s vision in this field, opening speeches were made by the President of the Defense Industry, Prof. Dr. Haluk Görgün, Deputy Minister of Industry and Technology Dr. Çetin Ali Dönmez, Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Dr. Ömer Fatih Sayan, Rector of Istanbul Medipol University Prof. Dr. Ömer Ceran, and Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Arslan.
The event featured 60 expert speakers across seven different panels, where 6G technology developments and Turkey’s strategic initiatives in this field were discussed in detail.
TÜBİTAK BİLGEM HİSAR Lab Stands Out with Its Projects
At the conference, TÜBİTAK BİLGEM’s Communication and Signal Processing Laboratory (HİSAR) garnered significant attention with its projects, including a Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface (RIS)-supported millimeter-wave wireless communication system, RIS optimization with xApp in an open RAN-supported 5G FR1 network, and an analog beamforming project with 32 antennas operating in 5G FR2. Participants visited the HİSAR booth to receive detailed information from the lab’s researchers about these projects.
Using an xApp application on a private 5G network, the booth showcased how RIS technology enhances performance in 5G networks through optimized network configurations, significantly improving communication quality.
On the first day of the event, Acting President of TÜBİTAK BİLGEM Dr. Ali Görçin visited the booths, examined the displayed projects, and received information from the researchers. Dr. Görçin also answered participants’ questions about HİSAR Laboratory’s innovative work.
Advanced Technology in Millimeter-Wave Frequencies with RIS Support
In the project demonstrating data transmission at millimeter-wave frequencies with RIS support, a transmission unit with a 16-element antenna array operating at 27.3 GHz showcased analog beamforming. The receiver and transmitter experimented with different beam combinations to determine the optimal direction for transmission and reception. During the demonstration, participants were shown how RIS technology can be integrated into communication infrastructure and how it can boost performance. In another project, a transmission unit with a 32-element antenna array developed by BİLGEM was integrated with open-source 5G FR2 emulator software, demonstrating in real-time the performance improvement provided by analog beamforming.
Collaborations Shaping the Future of Communication Technologies
TÜBİTAK BİLGEM engaged in knowledge and experience sharing with other organizations at the conference, taking significant steps towards future communication technologies. HİSAR Laboratory’s innovative projects were highly praised for contributing to Türkiye’s goal of advancing 6G and beyond technologies.
Throughout the event, discussions were held on strengthening Türkiye’s potential in communication technologies and its position on the international stage, with decisions made to hold bilateral meetings with many companies for future collaborations.
Uninterrupted Communication with Mobile Base Stations
Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) base stations provide reliable, high-bandwidth wireless connections in areas where traditional infrastructure falls short, or in special situations such as natural disasters, smart farming, or sporting events. These UAVs, which can stay airborne for long periods at high altitudes, offer cost-effective and long-term connectivity solutions for rural areas. Their mobility and flexible altitude adjustments effectively enhance the capacity and coverage of terrestrial communication networks.
5G/6G and UAVs in Precision Agriculture
Digital farming and precision agriculture are reaching a new level with IoT technologies and 5G/6G connectivity services. The goal is to produce higher quality and more sustainable food with less pesticide use. The advanced AI, machine learning, and sensing capabilities offered by 6G technology will further enhance automation and efficiency in the agriculture sector. Autonomous vehicles and UAVs are transforming traditional farming methods and introducing innovative solutions to the industry.
UAV Designs Shaping the Future
The UAV designed by HİSAR Laboratory will be used both in mobile base station tests and as an autonomous AI-powered agricultural drone in precision farming. In the near future, our cost-effective VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) UAV designs, capable of reaching altitudes of 5,000 meters and staying airborne for 6-7 hours, will take to the skies.
As TÜBİTAK BİLGEM, we continue to work in many areas, including communication technologies, to contribute to our country’s independence in the fields of information and communication technologies.
