IMDEA Networks revolutionizes 6G networks with DISCO6G project: real-time communication and sensing

Proposed uses cases in transport and biomedicine, sectors requiring reliable and low-latency systems

24 March 2025

IMDEA Networks has begun its participation in DISCO6G, an innovative project that will transform next-generation mobile networks, in collaboration with UC3M, UAM, and UPM and funded by the Madrid Regional Government. Its focus on Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) enables network infrastructures not only to transmit information but also to function as distributed real-time sensors. “DISCO6G represents a paradigm shift, as it turns the network into a system capable of detecting its environment while communicating, something crucial for critical applications in transport and healthcare,” explains Jesús Omar Lacruz, senior researcher at IMDEA Networks and principal investigator of the project at the institute.

The IMDEA Networks team is driving the evolution of ISAC systems for 6G networks with key advancements. These include the design of advanced ISAC architectures that integrate distributed sensing across multiple nodes to enhance real-time environmental awareness. Additionally, they are working on ultra-precise synchronization, a fundamental challenge in large-scale networks. “We are developing mechanisms that reduce timing errors, which is essential for autonomous vehicles and medical diagnostics,” says Lacruz. They are also developing low-power ISAC solutions, designing efficient technologies for healthcare devices, vehicular sensors, and smart cities.

Challenges

DISCO6G addresses several critical challenges for implementing 6G networks. Both transport and biomedicine require low-latency, high-precision data collection and transmission. Additionally, using millimeter and submillimeter waves offers great bandwidth but makes the signal vulnerable to interference. “To maximize the potential of these frequencies, we are developing reconfigurable intelligent surfaces and advanced AI algorithms that improve signal quality,” highlights Lacruz.

Another key challenge is integrating multiple sensors. The combination of LiDAR data, radio frequency, and other technologies enables more accurate detection and positioning. In the biomedical field, DISCO6G is also focused on developing non-invasive sensing techniques. “Currently, many diagnostic tests are invasive and slow. With DISCO6G, we are exploring radio frequency-based techniques that can detect pathogens in real-time without physical contact,” explains the researcher.

Impact and applications

DISCO6G will have a significant impact across various sectors:

• Safer and more efficient transport: Real-time object detection, traffic monitoring, and collision prevention in railway and vehicular networks.
• Advanced biomedical diagnostics: Identification of viruses and pathogens through radio frequency, enabling fast, contactless testing.
• Sustainable communication networks: Optimized spectrum use to reduce energy consumption.
• Rapid emergency response: Accurate real-time location of vehicles and people will enhance rescue and evacuation strategies in critical situations.

Use cases

In transport, DISCO6G will enable precise train localization, speed estimation, and passenger flow control in railway and metro systems. It will also support cooperative detection in vehicular networks, improving safety in autonomous driving.

In biomedicine, it can be used for rapid virus detection without invasive tests, as well as for automated patient monitoring in smart hospitals.

“With DISCO6G, IMDEA Networks is redefining the future of mobile networks, driving connectivity that not only communicates but also perceives the environment to enhance safety, healthcare, and the efficiency of future infrastructures,” concludes Lacruz.