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ARTICLE
THE 6G CONTINUUM: A PLATFORM ARCHITECTURE FOR REAL-TIME INDUSTRIAL DIGITAL TWINS
Issue Vol. 1 No. 01 (2024): Volume 01 Issue 01 --- Section Articles
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Abstract
The convergence of next-generation wireless technologies, particularly 6G, with the Internet of Things (IoT), edge computing, and cloud infrastructure is set to revolutionize industries by enabling ultra-responsive and intelligent applications. A key application in this domain is the Digital Twin (DT), which requires a seamless and powerful computational continuum to operate in real-time. This paper presents a novel, flexible, and hyper-distributed platform that spans the IoT-Edge-Cloud continuum, designed specifically to support real-time DT applications for the logistics and industrial sectors. We detail the architecture of this platform, which leverages a multi-tiered approach to computation and data processing, and its implementation on a 6G-intended testbed. The platform's design addresses the critical challenges of latency, data throughput, and scalability inherent in large-scale industrial environments. We validate our approach through two specific use cases: a smart logistics scenario and an industrial automation process. The results from our testbed demonstrate the platform's capability to meet the stringent Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) required for real-time DT operations, such as ultra-low latency and high reliability, paving the way for the next generation of cyber-physical systems.
Keywords
References
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