0660IF2413
Project Grant
Overview
Grant Description
Purpose: Episys will develop, demonstrate and evaluate the performance of a software defined radio system that integrates 3GPP sidelink with a 7.2B Open RAN (Radio Access Network) split that supports uplink performance improvement (ULPI) splits.
If successful, the project will lead to demonstration of a new capability: an SDR based system that integrates sidelink with ULPI.
In turn, such a system made available commercially to 5G Advanced/6G radio vendors will enable exploration/maturation of capabilities in terms of optimal resource allocation between sidelink (low-latency, highly reliable) and ULPI applications.
US 5G, 6G, and other radio providers will benefit from this development.
Activities to be performed: Over the period of performance the project will:
- Validate lab-based prototype demonstration of SL-enhanced 7.2B O-RUs (Open Radio Units).
- Quantify improvements in the final prototype performance against non-SL (Subscriber Line) enabled 7.2B O-RUs.
- Integrate ULPI (USB High Speed Routing) techniques to enable Massive-MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) and higher data rates.
- Conduct final Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning-based trade space analysis of optimal baseband processing positions and integrate into final solution.
Deploy final solution in outdoor dense urban areas to demonstrate 5G SL benefits and MIMO/SL combined functionality.
Expected outcomes: The proposed project will lead to demonstration of a new capability: an SDR based system that integrates sidelink with ULPI.
In turn, such a system made available commercially to 5G Advanced/6G radio vendors will enable exploration/maturation of capabilities in terms of optimal resource allocation between sidelink (low-latency, highly reliable) and ULPI applications.
Intended beneficiaries: United States 5G, 6G, and other radio providers.
Subrecipient activities: OpenAirInterface5G (OAI) and University of Washington (UW), will integrate commercial SDR O-RU hardware/software to support simultaneous uplink performance improvements (ULPI) and sidelink operation.
If successful, the project will lead to demonstration of a new capability: an SDR based system that integrates sidelink with ULPI.
In turn, such a system made available commercially to 5G Advanced/6G radio vendors will enable exploration/maturation of capabilities in terms of optimal resource allocation between sidelink (low-latency, highly reliable) and ULPI applications.
US 5G, 6G, and other radio providers will benefit from this development.
Activities to be performed: Over the period of performance the project will:
- Validate lab-based prototype demonstration of SL-enhanced 7.2B O-RUs (Open Radio Units).
- Quantify improvements in the final prototype performance against non-SL (Subscriber Line) enabled 7.2B O-RUs.
- Integrate ULPI (USB High Speed Routing) techniques to enable Massive-MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) and higher data rates.
- Conduct final Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning-based trade space analysis of optimal baseband processing positions and integrate into final solution.
Deploy final solution in outdoor dense urban areas to demonstrate 5G SL benefits and MIMO/SL combined functionality.
Expected outcomes: The proposed project will lead to demonstration of a new capability: an SDR based system that integrates sidelink with ULPI.
In turn, such a system made available commercially to 5G Advanced/6G radio vendors will enable exploration/maturation of capabilities in terms of optimal resource allocation between sidelink (low-latency, highly reliable) and ULPI applications.
Intended beneficiaries: United States 5G, 6G, and other radio providers.
Subrecipient activities: OpenAirInterface5G (OAI) and University of Washington (UW), will integrate commercial SDR O-RU hardware/software to support simultaneous uplink performance improvements (ULPI) and sidelink operation.
Awardee
Funding Goals
TO ACCELERATE THE DEVELOPMENT, DEPLOYMENT, AND ADOPTION OF OPEN AND INTEROPERABLE RADIO ACCESS NETWORKS (RAN). IN THIS SECOND NOFO, NTIA AIMS TO ADVANCE OPEN RADIO UNIT (RU) COMMERCIALIZATION AND INNOVATION BY FUNDING ACTIVITIES THAT 1) ACCELERATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF OPEN RU PRODUCTS TO THE POINT WHERE THEY MEET CARRIER NEEDS AND ARE READY FOR COMMERCIAL TRIALS, AND 2) IMPROVE THE OVERALL PERFORMANCE AND CAPABILITIES OF OPEN RUS THROUGH TARGETED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.
Grant Program (CFDA)
Awarding / Funding Agency
Place of Performance
Poway,
California
92064-8815
United States
Geographic Scope
Single Zip Code
Episys Science was awarded
SDR System Integrating 3GPP Sidelink with ULPI for 5G/6G Radio V
Project Grant 0660IF2413
worth $8,168,674
from the National Institute of Standards and Technology in February 2025 with work to be completed primarily in Poway California United States.
The grant
has a duration of 3 years and
was awarded through assistance program 11.038 Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund Grant Program – Expanding Testing and Evaluation.
The Project Grant was awarded through grant opportunity Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund Grant Program - Open Radio Commercialization and Innovation.
Status
(Ongoing)
Last Modified 1/21/25
Period of Performance
2/1/25
Start Date
1/31/28
End Date
Funding Split
$8.2M
Federal Obligation
$0.0
Non-Federal Obligation
$8.2M
Total Obligated
Activity Timeline
Additional Detail
Award ID FAIN
0660IF2413
SAI Number
0660IF2413_0
Award ID URI
EXE
Awardee Classifications
Small Business
Awarding Office
1333ND DEPT OF COMMERCE NIST
Funding Office
1331K2 DEPT OF COMMERCE NTIA
Awardee UEI
U719HNLEESB3
Awardee CAGE
5NJ53
Performance District
CA-48
Senators
Dianne Feinstein
Alejandro Padilla
Alejandro Padilla
Modified: 1/21/25