IMDEA Networks Leads 6G Evolution with DISCO6G for Real-Time Sensing & Communication

IMDEA Networks, with partners UC3M, UAM, and UPM, launches DISCO6Gโ€”an ambitious 6G project integrating real-time communication and environmental sensing. Led by Jess Omar Lacruz, the initiative focuses on ISAC systems, intelligent surfaces, AI-driven signal optimization, and non-invasive diagnostics to enhance healthcare, smart mobility, and autonomous systems.

On March 24, 2025, IMDEA Networks announced its participation in the DISCO6G project, in collaboration with UC3M, UAM, and UPM, and funded by the Madrid Regional Government. This project is set to significantly enhance the capabilities of future mobile networks through the integration of communication and environmental sensing.

Understanding DISCO6G: 6G Networks with Built-In Real-Time Sensing


DISCO6G stands for the integration of Distributed Sensing and COmmunication for 6G networks. The project aims to develop next-generation mobile networks that not only transmit data but also act as real-time, distributed sensors. This dual functionality is essential for applications requiring high reliability and responsiveness such as in transportation and healthcare systems.

Evolving ISAC Systems: Enhancing 6G Environmental Awareness and Timing

The team at IMDEA Networks, led by senior researcher and principal investigator Jess Omar Lacruz, is focusing on the evolution of Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) systems for 6G networks. One of their key initiatives is the development of advanced ISAC architectures. These architectures are designed to enhance environmental awareness in real-time by integrating distributed sensing across multiple network nodes.

In addition to architectural advancements, the team is tackling the challenge of ultra-precise synchronization across large-scale networks. Accurate timing is crucial for the functionality of autonomous vehicles and the reliability of medical diagnostics. IMDEA Networks is creating solutions to minimize timing errors and developing low-power ISAC technologies suitable for various applications, from healthcare devices to smart city infrastructures.

Solving 6G Challenges: Intelligent Surfaces, AI, and High-Frequency Bandwidth

DISCO6G is addressing several technical hurdles to enable the practical deployment of 6G networks. The project targets the need for low-latency and high-precision data collection and transmission, crucial for transport and biomedical applications. One of the technological challenges involves the use of millimeter and submillimeter waves, which, while offering substantial bandwidth, are susceptible to interference.

To optimize the use of these high-frequency bands, IMDEA Networks is developing reconfigurable intelligent surfaces and refining AI algorithms to enhance signal quality. Additionally, the integration of multiple sensors, including LiDAR, radio frequency, and other technologies, is being advanced to enable more precise detection and positioning systems.

6G Biomedical Breakthroughs: Non-Invasive Diagnostics Using RF Sensing

In the field of biomedicine, DISCO6G is pushing the boundaries by developing non-invasive sensing techniques. Traditional diagnostic tests, which are often invasive and time-consuming, can be revolutionized with DISCO6Gs radio frequency-based methods that detect pathogens in real-time without physical contact. This innovation has the potential to significantly speed up and simplify the process of medical diagnostics.

Impact on Various Sectors

The implications of DISCO6G are vast and varied. In transportation, the technology will enable precise train localization, speed estimation, and passenger flow control in railway and metro systems. It will also enhance cooperative detection in vehicular networks, which is pivotal for the safety in autonomous driving.

In the healthcare sector, DISCO6G will facilitate rapid virus detection methods that forego invasive tests and enable automated patient monitoring in smart hospitals. These advancements promise to improve the efficiency of medical services and patient care.

Jess Omar Lacruz of IMDEA Networks sums up the project’s vision, stating that DISCO6G is set to redefine the future of mobile networks by providing connectivity that not only enables communication but also actively perceives and interacts with the environment. This dual capability is expected to significantly enhance the safety, healthcare, and efficiency of future infrastructures, marking a new era in mobile network evolution.


Recent Content

Comcast Advertising and Waymark have launched an AI-powered TV ad platform that helps small businesses produce professional-quality commercials in minutes. By eliminating the high costs and long production times of traditional TV ad creation, this new solution offers fast, flexible, and affordable access to premium video inventory, ideal for local businesses looking to advertise on TV and streaming.
The collision of two digital titans – AI and Bitcoin are on a collision course. One optimises the future; the other burns through energy to preserve the past. As AI sharpens its tools – from tracing tainted coins to auto-generating smart contracts – it is exposing cryptoโ€™s inefficiencies and vulnerabilities. Bitcoin may not die, but AI could force it to evolve: or risk irrelevance in a world demanding speed, sustainability and real utility.
Singtel launches 5G+, introducing nationwide network slicing for both consumers and enterprises, a global first. This upgrade brings faster speeds, lower latency, stronger indoor coverage, and real-time cyber protection to over 1.5 million users. Singtel 5G+ enhances mobile connectivity with the 700MHz spectrum, priority plans, and app-based slicing for business-critical apps, aligning with Singaporeโ€™s Smart Nation goals.
ย Virgin Media O2 and Daisy Group have joined forces to form a ยฃ1.4B B2B telecom and IT services powerhouse, targeting UK enterprises with an integrated offering that includes private 5G, cloud, AI, and cybersecurity solutions. With Virgin Media O2 holding a 70% stake and Daisy 30%, the new entity aims to accelerate enterprise digital transformation, drive operational synergies, and compete against both traditional telcos and cloud-first players in a fast-evolving market.
OpenAIโ€™s Stargate projectโ€”a $500B plan to build global AI infrastructureโ€”is facing delays in the U.S. due to rising tariffs and economic uncertainty. While the first phase in Texas slows, OpenAI is shifting focus internationally with โ€œOpenAI for Countries,โ€ a new initiative to co-build sovereign AI data centers worldwide. Backed by Oracle and SoftBank, Stargate is designed to support massive AI workloads and reshape global compute power distribution.
Whitepaper
Explore how Generative AI is transforming telecom infrastructure by solving critical industry challenges like massive data management, network optimization, and personalized customer experiences. This whitepaper offers in-depth insights into AI and Gen AI's role in boosting operational efficiency while ensuring security and regulatory compliance. Telecom operators can harness these AI-driven...
Supermicro and Nvidia Logo
Whitepaper
The whitepaper, "How Is Generative AI Optimizing Operational Efficiency and Assurance," provides an in-depth exploration of how Generative AI is transforming the telecom industry. It highlights how AI-driven solutions enhance customer support, optimize network performance, and drive personalized marketing strategies. Additionally, the whitepaper addresses the challenges of integrating AI into...
RADCOM Logo
Article & Insights
Non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) have evolved from experimental satellite systems to integral components of global connectivity. The transition from geostationary satellites to low Earth orbit constellations has significantly enhanced mobile broadband services. With the adoption of 3GPP standards, NTNs now seamlessly integrate with terrestrial networks, providing expanded coverage and new opportunities,...

Download Magazine

With Subscription

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Scroll to Top