Objectives 
ANALYSAT (AI-driveN multi-link bAckhauL management through network data analYticS and locAlizaTion), developed in the frame of 6G-SANDBOX project (https://6g-sandbox.eu/), aimed at delivering a technical solution for the 6G-SANDBOX facilities through the implementation of three new functionalities:
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- Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF) capability;
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- Location information capability;
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- Multi-link backhaul management in hybrid terrestrial-satellite networks.
Benefits
Integrating the solutions proposed in ANALYSAT, 6G-SANDBOX experimenters will be able to retrieve network KPIs and information of UEs’ localization in Athens and Malaga testbeds, which can be used to develop new network-aware applications or service management solutions, possibly based on data analytics and ML techniques. Moreover, the possibility to programme dynamically the multi-link transport network will allow to experiment with new end-to-end resource allocation schemas, placement algorithms, and strategies for network planning and automated optimization.
The solutions delivered in ANALYSAT derive from existing software assets already demonstrated in relevant environments (around TRL 6). They have been extended and adapted for integration in the 6G-SANDBOX NCSRD testbed during the project, making them ready to be used and exploited by 3rd party experimenters.
System Architecture
The image shows the high-level architecture of the ANALYSAT solution, and highlights (in dotted boxes) the three new functionalities provided (NWDAF, LMF, multi-link backhaul management). The main goal of the proposed approach is to offer a self-contained solution, easy to deploy and integrate and that can be replicated in different 6G-SANDBOX testbeds.
Plan
The project activities have been structured in three main phases with dedicated milestones:
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- Initial Analysis and Global Design
- Thorough analysis of 6G-SANDBOX environment (testbeds and platform)
- Global solution design
- Implementation Phase Task
- Specific development of new functionalities
- Intermediate software prototype release at M4
- Integration and Testing
- Rigorous end-to-end testing in selected testbeds
- Reporting and user manual development by M6
- Initial Analysis and Global Design
ANALYSAT has been organized into 8 main tasks:
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- T1: 6G-SANDBOX Platform and Testbed Analysis, and Requirements Definition;
- T2: Solution design, software architecture, implementation plan;
- T3: Software implementation: NWDAF;
- T4: Software implementation: Location Management Function;
- T5: Software implementation: SDN application for Multi-link Backhaul Management;
- T6: Software implementation: Application for mobile network automation;
- T7: End-to-end system integration and testing;
- T8: Result analysis, technical reporting and user-manual.
Current Status
The project has successfully kicked off in December 2023 and it was completed in April 2024.
ANALYSAT delivered a technical solution for the 6G-SANDBOX facilities through the implementation of three new functionalities: Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF) capability, location information capability, multi link backhaul management in hybrid terrestrial-satellite networks.
Up-tp-date as of 21/01/2025.