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Towards Practical Cell-Free 6G Network Deployments: An Open-Source End-to-End Ray Tracing Simulator

William Tärneberg, Aleksei Fedorov, Gilles Callebaut, Liesbet Van der Perre, Emma Fitzgerald

TL;DR

The paper tackles the need for practical tools to study cell-free 6G networks by introducing LuSim, an open-source end-to-end ray-tracing platform built on the Unity engine. It combines LIS/MIMO-capable physics-based propagation with a modular, cross-layer architecture: JSON/YAML configuration, a Unity-based GSCM layer, and a Python discrete-event system simulator connected via ZeroMQ. Key contributions include interactive Unity-based ray casting for real-time propagation, a scalable three-component architecture, ML-assisted parameter estimation, LUTs for higher-order paths, and a system-level module enabling dynamic resource management and RIS/ISAC-ready extensions. This platform aims to deliver realistic, reproducible, and scalable studies that surpass existing tools in flexibility and integration, accelerating the development of practical cell-free 6G deployments.

Abstract

The advent of 6G wireless communication marks a transformative era in technological connectivity, bringing forth challenges and opportunities alike. This paper unveils an innovative, open-source simulator, meticulously crafted for cell-free 6G wireless networks. This simulator is not just a tool but a gateway to the future, blending cutting-edge channel models with the simulation of both physical propagation effects and intricate system-level protocols. It stands at the forefront of technological advancement by integrating LIS and MIMO technologies, harnessing the power of the Unity game engine for efficient ray-tracing and GPU-accelerated computations. The unparalleled flexibility in scenario configuration, coupled with its unique ability to dynamically simulate interactions across network layers, establishes this simulator as an indispensable asset in pioneering &G systems' research and development.

Towards Practical Cell-Free 6G Network Deployments: An Open-Source End-to-End Ray Tracing Simulator

TL;DR

The paper tackles the need for practical tools to study cell-free 6G networks by introducing LuSim, an open-source end-to-end ray-tracing platform built on the Unity engine. It combines LIS/MIMO-capable physics-based propagation with a modular, cross-layer architecture: JSON/YAML configuration, a Unity-based GSCM layer, and a Python discrete-event system simulator connected via ZeroMQ. Key contributions include interactive Unity-based ray casting for real-time propagation, a scalable three-component architecture, ML-assisted parameter estimation, LUTs for higher-order paths, and a system-level module enabling dynamic resource management and RIS/ISAC-ready extensions. This platform aims to deliver realistic, reproducible, and scalable studies that surpass existing tools in flexibility and integration, accelerating the development of practical cell-free 6G deployments.

Abstract

The advent of 6G wireless communication marks a transformative era in technological connectivity, bringing forth challenges and opportunities alike. This paper unveils an innovative, open-source simulator, meticulously crafted for cell-free 6G wireless networks. This simulator is not just a tool but a gateway to the future, blending cutting-edge channel models with the simulation of both physical propagation effects and intricate system-level protocols. It stands at the forefront of technological advancement by integrating LIS and MIMO technologies, harnessing the power of the Unity game engine for efficient ray-tracing and GPU-accelerated computations. The unparalleled flexibility in scenario configuration, coupled with its unique ability to dynamically simulate interactions across network layers, establishes this simulator as an indispensable asset in pioneering &G systems' research and development.
Paper Structure (28 sections, 2 figures)

This paper contains 28 sections, 2 figures.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Simulator Architecture
  3. Configuration
  4. Unity Module for layer
  5. System Simulator
  6. Unity Components for GSCM
  7. Unity Module - Interactive Ray Casting
  8. Initialisation of in Unity
  9. Distribution
  10. Filtering
  11. Surface Association
  12. Path Gain Model
  13. Parameter Estimation
  14. Look-Up Table Generation
  15. Scene Representation
  16. ...and 13 more sections

Figures (2)

  • Figure 1: System Architecture of the Wireless Network Simulator.
  • Figure 2: Visualization of in an urban environment, illustrating both the spatial distribution and orientation of (critical for signal propagation analysis) and the resultant signal paths. The scatter points () and their normals on surfaces demonstrate the complexity of the urban wireless environment. Colors indicate the order of paths: green for first order, yellow for second order, and red balls represent active MPCs. This comprehensive depiction provides insights into the intricacies of urban wireless propagation and the dynamics of signal paths in dense urban settings.