B5G/6G Athens Platform

While the B5G infrastructure offers a robust foundation for advanced networking experimentation, the aerOS-based continuum enables transparent deployment and dynamic migration of containerized services across the two domains, driven by real-time resource availability, service-level agreements (SLAs), and specific service requirements.

At the core of the platform’s continuum lies aerOS’s unified execution layer, which abstracts heterogeneous computing and networking resources into a single cohesive resource pool. This layer is supported by a unified network and compute fabric, enabling the aerOS double-layer orchestration model. In this model, an AI-enabled decision layer optimizes service placement based on a global view of the continuum, while the enforcement layer ensures reliable execution on the selected resources. This architecture ensures decisions are based on comprehensive resource awareness, with seamless deployment across domains. The continuum is inherently scalable, allowing for easy integration of new domains and resources as needed, further enhancing its orchestration capabilities.

While service deployment is fully automated and transparent through the aerOS orchestration framework, a comprehensive set of 5G and Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) technologies forms the backbone of the platform’s advanced networking capabilities. The platform hosts two distinct 5G Standalone (SA) networks:

• The first network, based on ATH 5G SA Core and Ericsson equipment, spans both campuses. The ATH 5G Core, deployed at the OTE Academy, controls two Ericsson BBUs (at OTE and NCSR campuses), each supporting three Ericsson RRU/RAN units, creating a large-scale experimental 5G network with six indoor/outdoor cells in total. OTE also deploys mmWave RAN equipment to enhance experimental capabilities.
• The second network, deployed at NCSR Demokritos, leverages Amarisoft 5G RAN with flexible 5G SA Core options, including Amarisoft and Open5GS. These cores offer varying levels of openness (e.g., NEF, NWDAF, CAPIF) and native AI programmability. The platform also integrates software RAN solutions like UERANSIM (monolithic and containerized) and srsRAN (gNB and UE via ZeroMQ).

In addition to these large-scale infrastructures, the platform also includes:

• An OpenAirInterface (OAI) OAIBOX, which integrates a complete 5G Core with Split 8 architecture, enabling flexible, open-source experimentation. The OAIBOX serves as a versatile testbed for RAN and core network integration in research scenarios.
• A portable 5G system based on Raspberry Pi that features a containerized 5G Core for lightweight, flexible deployments. This compact   solution enables rapid setup of portable 5G networks while allowing integration with a variety of external or separate RAN units, depending on the testing scenario or deployment requirements. It is particularly suited for experiments in constrained, temporary, or remote environments.

The convergence of the aerOS continuum with B5G networking is a key innovation of the Athens platform. Containerized 5G network functions (NFs), such as Open5GS UPF, benefit from aerOS’s orchestration, allowing dynamic deployment and migration based on application-specific or user-centric policies.

The platform also provides extensive RAN and data monitoring capabilities:

• Amarisoft 5G RAN offers flexible configurations for sub-6 GHz bands, supporting bandwidths up to 50 MHz, multiple subcarrier spacings, and MIMO up to 4×4.
• OAI OAIBOX RAN implements a flexible, open-source 5G RAN architecture based on 3GPP standards, supporting Split 8 functional split for integration with external components. It supports both NSA and SA modes, operates in sub-6 GHz bands with up to 100 MHz bandwidth, 2×2 MIMO, and provides 250 mW (24 dBm) per port output power with up to 32 simultaneous connections. The OAIBOX allows fine-grained protocol stack configuration, making it highly suitable for research-driven, experimental scenarios.
• Data Collection & Monitoring: A monitoring framework based on Prometheus includes a main server with a time-series database, an alert manager for alarms, Node Exporters for resource metrics, and Grafana for real-time visualization.