Xi Li, Jacopo Pegoraro, Antonio de la Oliva, Vincenzo Sciancalepore, Juan Brenes, Valerio Frascolla, Neda Petreska, Zhuangzhuang Cui, Sebastian Robitzsch, Daniela Raddino, Lanfranco Zanzi, Alejandro Blanco, Jesús Gutiérrez Terán, Joerg Widmer, Xavier Costa‐Pérez
This paper introduces a new concept called MultiX to advance the ongoing discussion on 6G Radio Access Network (RAN) evolution. The pioneering MultiX fusion Perceptive 6G-RAN (MP6R) system integrates multi-sensor, multi-static, multi-band, and multi-technology sensing techniques. Such system is capable of realizing the sought-after multi-sensorial perception, a feature requested by forthcoming 6G applications, and builds on top of three key innovations: i) the MultiX Perception System (MPS) introduces three levels of sensing functions into the RAN stack to support advanced Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) capabilities ; ii) the MP6R Controller (MP6RC) extends RAN control plane functionalities to coordinate and control multi-technology integration, while considering new connectivity approaches and mobility challenges for sensing and localization services; and iii) the Data Access and Security Hub (DASH), a novel data plane entity that aggregates multi-sensor data of diverse technologies, thus providing secure data access, processing, storage, and exposure, ensuring data privacy and trustworthiness.