Main topic
5G research project
FlexShield.
Resilient 5G networking for industrial real-time applications.
Secure 5G-based innovations in Industry 4.0 are of crucial importance for Germany’s digitalization strategy. They strengthen the country’s digital sovereignty and enable it to play a leading role as a technology provider in the global 5G/6G competition. In principle, standardized 5G campus systems offer an ideal infrastructure for teleoperated transport systems. As part of FlexShield, the risks for the use of these modern network technologies are to be examined and minimized.
The members of the consortium.
Project information.
Project duration:
July 1, 2023 to the end of November 2024
Our motivation
Secure 5G-based innovations in Industry 4.0 are of crucial importance for Germany’s digitalization strategy. They strengthen the country’s digital sovereignty and enable it to play a leading role as a technology provider in the global 5G/6G competition. The use of driverless transport systems in logistics processes is currently limited to predefined trajectories. Teleoperation as a handover technology for taking over critical activities by a teleoperation agent promises promising further development, but brings with it various challenges. A teleoperator could be used to control various vehicles such as trucks, forklifts or other industrial trucks by a single person. While teleoperation relieves the burden on logistics employees and reduces the risk of accidents, it also poses challenges, as the use of teleoperated transport systems is subject to a mobile communications infrastructure that is susceptible to attacks and quality of service.
Our vision
In principle, standardized 5G campus systems offer an ideal infrastructure for teleoperated transport systems. As part of “FlexShield”, the risks for the use of these modern network technologies are to be examined and minimized.
Our goals
This project explores and demonstrates resilience innovations to strengthen 5G-based continuous service delivery for critical industrial applications. At the core of these innovations are four concepts: the redundancy of 3.7 GHz and 26 GHz 5G radio systems, the testing of 5G relay drones, the use of real-time programmable Time-Sensitive Networking transmission mechanisms and finally the use of hardware-based authentication and software integrity verification mechanisms at runtime. The result is to maximize efficiency along the value chain by combining automation and teleoperation for complex activities in logistics processes.
What we want to achieve
The result of the project is an increase in efficiency along the value chain through the combination of automation and teleoperation for complex activities in logistics processes. One of the goals is to optimize the entire process using 5G, eliminating manual work steps between storage, loading and unloading and improving skills in the planning, construction and optimization of resilient 5G campus networks so that they can also be made available to other sectors at industrial locations in Germany. A particular focus is on the resilient architecture of the network in order to make campus networks even more suitable for use in industry. The results of the project will be used at various levels. Workflows and processes will be optimized taking into account the resilient 5G network and the teleoperation platform. Modified processes will be adapted to the working and infrastructure conditions. Furthermore, the long-term creation of new work profiles is planned in connection with mobile robotics, teleoperation of vehicles and robots. In the long term, this should bring higher-value work activities into focus and make fields of activity in logistics more attractive.
What happens next
The knowledge and experience gained from the 5G network will be used to initiate further next-generation research activities with flexible integration of heterogeneous technologies in 5G networks.
Projekt-Dokumentation.
Our project progress.
May 2024
Configuration 5G network
The configuration of the 5G systems began in May 2024. This step is crucial for setting up and optimizing the network infrastructure to support advanced communication solutions.
April 2024
TSN-Multipathing
In April 2024, the TSN multipathing technology (Frame Replication and Elimination for Reliability, FRER) was successfully implemented and tested. This technology significantly improves the reliability and redundancy of the network infrastructure.
March 2024
Jammer test completed
In March 2024, a successful test of the jammer was carried out together with the University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE) to disrupt a 3.7 GHz network. This test was used to investigate and further develop defensive measures against jamming signals.
February 2024
Trade fair visit @MWC Barcelona
In February 2024, face-to-face meetings and exchanges took place with manufacturers of 5G mmWave technologies. These meetings offered the opportunity to communicate directly with the manufacturers, discuss technical details and plan future collaborations.
February 2024
Implementation of authenticity checks
In February 2024, the implementation of authenticity checks using hardware security modules (HSM) was successfully completed. This measure strengthens the security and integrity of system communication.
January 2024.
Execution of civil engineering work
In January 2024, the outdoor mast and outdoor cabinet for mmWave and sub-6 5G technology were erected. In addition, the cabling was installed to ensure the necessary infrastructure for the operation of the advanced 5G communication technology.
January 2024
Integration of the truck
In the first quarter of 2024, the implementation of the interface system for trucks and the establishment of the vehicle network for sub-6 GHz and mmWave terminals was successfully completed. These measures ensure smooth communication and data transmission within the vehicles.
December 2023
Workshop HS Darmstadt
In December 2023, we held a workshop on jamming 3.7 GHz networks together with Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences. Experts discussed innovative approaches and measures for detecting and defending against jamming signals in these networks.
December 2023
Radio network planning completed
In December 2023, the radio network planning for the FlexShield test and research environment was successfully completed. The planning included both sub-6 GHz and mmWave frequencies to ensure optimal network conditions for testing and research activities.
November 2023
Trade fair visit @Sas van Gent
In November 2023, we attended a trade fair in Sas van Gent to exchange ideas with industry experts, gain new knowledge and make valuable networking contacts. This event provided numerous opportunities for further training and to strengthen our industry connections.
November 2023
1. demonstration of the TSN controller
The first successful demonstration of the TSN controller took place in November 2023. This presentation showed the functionality and performance of the controller in real application environments.
October 2023
Further development of the teleoperation architecture
The global system architecture design for the teleoperation of trucks and forklift trucks was successfully completed in the third quarter of 2023. This design lays the foundation for the implementation and operation of the remote control systems.
October 2023
TSN Workshop
In October 2023, we organized a specialized workshop to discuss the integration of Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) into 5G networks. Experts and project partners worked together to develop innovative solutions and implementation strategies.
September 2023
Project meeting @Logicall
An important project meeting was held at Logicall in September 2023. Tasks were distributed and the first workshops were held. All partners worked together on the project to define and coordinate the next steps and goals.
August 2023
Project kick-off in Dresden
Project kick-off in Dresden: In August 2023, the official launch of our project took place in Dresden, where we exchanged ideas with other funded projects. We used this opportunity to share knowledge and make valuable contacts
July 2023
Inspection of the test environment @Logicall
Inspection of the planned test environment: In July 2023, we visited the Logicall warehouse complex in Duisburg to inspect the test environment on site. We took drone and aerial images to optimize the planning and implementation of the project.
June 2023
Kickoff Meeting @Triopt Group
Kick-off meeting in Moers: In June 2023, all teams from the individual consortium partners of the research project met at the Triopt Group in Moers. This meeting marked the official start of our joint work and provided an important opportunity to network and coordinate the next steps.
Your contact person.
If you are curious about the FlexShield project or have general questions about 5G campus networks, do not hesitate to contact us. Our team of experts is looking forward to helping you and answering your questions.
E: jonas.piepke@triopt-group.de
T: +49 2841 88 941 – 312
M: +49 162 420 17 91
Jonas Piepke
Project manager