The 6GDIFERENTE Project successfully concludes with key advances toward future 6G Networks

Vicomtech, i2CAT and Gradiant have successfully completed the 6GDIFERENTE project (6G Distributed and Federated Experiments in Radio, Edge and Non-Terrestrial Networks), an initiative funded by the Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology and Innovation (CDTI) under its Cervera Programme for Technology Centres.

The project has achieved essential progress in defining future 6G network architectures, reinforcing the position of the three centres as benchmarks in advanced communication technologies and in the transfer of knowledge to industry.

One of the main achievements of 6GDIFERENTE is the design and implementation of a federated, scalable architecture capable of integrating terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks (NTN), enabling the Edge–Cloud Continuum paradigm. This infrastructure, a pioneering effort in Europe, ensures service continuity in distributed environments and supports extreme mobility across different network domains.

As part of the project, research teams from the three centres developed an intelligent orchestrator that enables highly effective migration and dynamic scaling of virtualized services. Hybrid handovers (terrestrial–non-terrestrial) were also tested with successful results and no data loss during laboratory trials. Collaborative tools such as CAMARA APIs and the Intent-based API enhance interoperability, while the Intent-based API also translates high-level requests into network actions using language models.

Exploring Emerging Technologies

6GDIFERENTE has also served as a testbed to explore disruptive technologies that will define the next decade of wireless communications. Among the most notable achievements is the development of a quantum radio-frequency (RF) sensor based on Rydberg atoms, capable of detecting electromagnetic signals with unprecedented sensitivity and precision—a key capability for improving reliability and security in 6G communications. Another highlight is the creation of a photonic canceller, a solution that uses light instead of electricity to remove interference more efficiently than conventional electronic systems. This paves the way for devices with higher bandwidth, lower energy consumption and more stable performance in complex environments.

The project has also explored other emerging technologies enabling millimetre-wave transmissions, wireless sensing solutions and joint communication-and-sensing waveforms (ISAC), contributing to improved energy efficiency and overall network performance.

Validation and Transfer of Results

The technologies developed were tested in three representative use cases across strategic sectors, including transport and automotive, entertainment and advanced manufacturing. Key demonstrations included real-time multi-user Extended Reality (XR) experiences and a digital twin built in Unity that allows immersive and collaborative visualization of network metrics.

The impact of 6GDIFERENTE is also reflected in its scientific and educational output, including ten scientific publications—seven of them in prestigious international journals—and support for nine doctoral theses, strengthening the talent ecosystem around 6G technologies.

With the completion of 6GDIFERENTE, the three Spanish research centres reinforce their role at the European forefront of 6G development, opening new opportunities for collaboration within both the national and international ICT ecosystems.