ARCHITECTURAL ENABLERS FOR 6G SUBNETWORKS AND INTEGRATION INTO 6G NETWORK OF NETWORKS: THE 6G-SHINE VISION

The 6G-SHINE project envisions a paradigm shift in 6G networking through the introduction of subnetworks—localized, intelligent, and resilient wireless systems deployed within entities (in-X), such as robotic arms, vehicles, or classrooms. These subnetworks are designed to operate autonomously or in coordination with a parent network, providing tailored support for demanding applications across industrial, automotive, and consumer domains.

 This whitepaper provides a high-level overview of the architectural blueprint developed in 6G-SHINE. It outlines core concepts and mechanisms, including:

·         * Subnetwork elements definition and their roles, along with architectural procedures to guarantee their autonomy through routing, authentication, group management, and tunneling.

·         * Inter-subnetwork coordination for compute distribution and service continuity.

·         * Seamless integration with the 6G RAN and Core, including O-RAN-based control and AI-driven radio resource management.

·         * Flexible support for non-3GPP technologies and deep edge (IoT)-edge-cloud continuum.

 The combination of these innovations offers a path to scalable, efficient, and service-aware 6G deployments of subnetworks integrated with the ‘Network of Networks’. Readers are encouraged to consult Deliverable D2.4 for in-depth technical details.