Critical test for the transition to 6G from Turkcell

Turkcell tested a new competency in its R&D studies on 5G and beyond technologies under real field conditions. Within the scope of the 6G R&D study carried out with Istanbul Expo Center, Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) technology was tested in the field. In the study carried out in collaboration with Tiami Networks, 5G signals were used not only to carry data but also to detect human movement and density in the environment.

The study, directed by Turkcell R&D teams, is of critical importance as it shows that the mobile network can not only provide connectivity but also produce information about its environment.

HUMAN DENSITY WAS ESTIMATE WITH 90 PERCENT ACCURACY

In the first phase tests at the Istanbul Expo Center, Turkcell's MPN (Mobile Private Network) private network solution, which was implemented this year and works completely isolated from the network, was used. In the study carried out over the 5G network provided specifically for the institution, the number of people at different density levels was determined with 90 percent accuracy by using 5G signals. The location of a person in the environment was also estimated with an accuracy of up to 3 meters.

With the study in question, 'human and density detection' and 'human-induced violation detection / facility-household security' scenarios were tested for the first time in C-band using commercial 5G infrastructure in Turkey, thanks to ISAC technology, which enables 5G to detect its environment as well as communication. Thus, it was shown that C-band, which is the main carrier of 5G technology in Turkey, can also host industrial and end-user-oriented sensing solutions in the future.

ISAC produces information about human movement and density in the environment by analyzing changes in existing 5G signals used for communication. Thus, human movement and density can be monitored without the need for a camera or video-based monitoring infrastructure. This competence; It can be used in areas such as management of crowded areas, indoor location determination and facility security. The fact that it does not require video recording offers a significant advantage in terms of privacy.

ALSO VERIFIED IN REAL OPERATING CONDITIONS

The second phase of the study was carried out at Turkcell Küçükyalı Plaza. The human density at the building entrance was measured by analyzing the changes in 5G signals. The system has also been successfully tested in a security scenario that can generate an alarm when human movement is detected in the environment. Thus, it was demonstrated that the technology can be used not only in controlled test environments but also in real operating conditions.

TURKCELL IS TESTING FUTURE SCENARIOS FROM TODAY

The importance of ISAC stems from its role in the 6G road map. With the ISAC competency defined by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) within the framework of IMT-2030, it is aimed to transform the mobile networks of the future into smart infrastructures that can sense their environment. This competence is expected to be used in many areas, from smart cities to autonomous systems, from security and disaster management to industrial applications.

With its R&D and field studies on the existing 5G infrastructure, Turkcell is already developing new network capabilities that are expected to become widespread with 6G and testing them in real usage scenarios.

“NETWORKS WILL NOW NOT ONLY COMMUNICATE, BUT ALSO SENSE THEIR ENVIRONMENT”

Commenting on the issue, Turkcell Deputy General Manager Responsible for Network Technologies Prof. Dr. Vehbi Çağrı Güngör said: "With 5G and beyond technologies, the role of mobile networks is also changing. The networks of the future will not only be infrastructures that provide high-speed and uninterrupted communication, but will also turn into smart systems that can perceive the environment they are in. The fact that ISAC is one of the basic usage scenarios defined in the 6G vision shows the importance of this transformation. In our work with Tiami Networks, we analyzed the signals we obtained from our existing 5G infrastructure with artificial intelligence and estimated the human density with high accuracy. Depending on human activity. "We have demonstrated in real field conditions that we can detect building entrances and exits in real time. Moreover, being able to do this without the need for camera systems that record people's images shows that the technology has a significant potential in terms of privacy-oriented usage scenarios. With these new competencies we have developed in today's 5G network, we are already preparing for the new usage scenarios that will come into our lives with 6G."

“WE ARE INVESTIGATING THE ROLE OF ISAC IN NEW GENERATION NETWORKS TOGETHER WITH TURKCELL”

Amitav Mukherjee, Founder and CEO of Tiami Networks, said: "Our work with Turkcell reveals how existing cellular infrastructure can support advanced sensing capabilities as mobile networks evolve towards 6G. Together with Turkcell's 6GEN.LAB team, we are excited to explore practical ISAC applications and the role sensing technologies can play in next-generation mobile networks."