IMDEA Networks leads the TUCAN6-CM project to promote more sustainable, intelligent, and resilient 6G networks

IMDEA Networks is leading the TUCAN6-CM project, an initiative funded by the Regional Government of Madrid that aims to transform next-generation mobile networks through the efficient integration of communication, computing, and sensing technologies to meet the major connectivity challenges of the future. This holistic approach places the project at the forefront of 6G research in Europe.

As the coordinator of TUCAN6-CM, IMDEA Networks—with Prof. Joerg Widmer as the principal investigator—guides the project's scientific direction. "TUCAN6-CM stands out for its innovative approach combining Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) technologies with AI-driven resource management to optimize decision-making in mobile networks, ensuring greater transparency and reliability in network operations," explains Widmer. These technologies will enable the development of ultra-dense wireless networks with low latency, higher energy efficiency, and the ability to adapt to highly dynamic environments.

To achieve these goals, various research teams at IMDEA Networks contribute key expertise in the following areas:

• ISAC architectures. The Wireless Networking group is working on multi-band, multi-static systems for real-time distributed sensing.

• LiFi integration into 6G RAN. The Pervasive Wireless Systems group enhances connectivity through the use of LiFi (a wireless technology that uses light to transmit data) and radio frequency (RF), while also exploring its potential to power battery-free IoT devices.
• Explainable and resilient AI. The Resilient AI Networking lab designs artificial intelligence models capable of adapting to changing conditions and providing clear explanations for their decisions.

Technology serving society

TUCAN6-CM will implement advanced technological solutions to improve quality of life, sustainability, and safety:

• In smart cities, it will enable real-time object detection, traffic monitoring, and collision prevention.
• In industrial environments, it will support efficient energy automation, predictive maintenance, and remote equipment control.
• In emergency situations, it will enable the deployment of temporary networks using drones (UAVs) to coordinate rescue operations in areas without coverage.
• Through non-terrestrial networks (satellites, high-altitude platforms), it will bring connectivity to rural or isolated regions, improving access to essential services.
• All of this will be developed with a focus on energy efficiency, privacy, and explainable AI—key to building trust in automated systems.

Key challenges

"TUCAN6-CM faces complex challenges, such as the efficient use of spectrum in high-frequency bands to ensure communication reliability, the implementation of sustainable battery-free IoT devices, network automation, and connectivity beyond terrestrial infrastructure in remote environments, including space. These solutions are developed with a focus on explainable artificial intelligence for automated and resilient network management," concludes Dr. Syed Waqas-Haider-Shah, Postdoctoral Researcher involved in the project.

With its forward-looking approach, TUCAN6-CM aims not only to push the boundaries of 6G technology but also to lay the foundation for a more connected, intelligent, and sustainable society.

Provided by IMDEA Networks Institute