Abstract
The 6G paradigm and the massive usage of interconnected wireless devices introduced the need for flexible wireless networks. A promising approach lies in employing Mobile Robotic Platforms (MRPs) to create communications cells on-demand. The challenge consists in positioning the MRPs to improve the wireless connectivity offered. This is exacerbated in millimeter wave (mmWave), Terahertz (THz), and visible light-based networks, which imply the establishment of short-range, Line of Sight (LoS) wireless links to take advantage of the ultra-high bandwidth channels available. This paper proposes a solution to enable the obstacle-aware, autonomous positioning of MRPs and provide LoS wireless connectivity to communications devices. It consists of 1) a Vision Module that uses video data gathered by the MRP to determine the location of obstacles, wireless devices and users, and 2) a Control Module, which autonomously positions the MRP based on the information provided by the Vision Module. The proposed solution was validated in simulation and through experimental testing, showing that it is able to position an MRP while ensuring LoS wireless links between a mobile communications cell and wireless devices or users.

Abstract
The Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) 5G network architecture, introduced in 3GPP Release 16, leverages a shared 5G spectrum for both access and backhaul networks. Due to the novelty of IAB, there is a lack of suitable implementations and performance evaluations. This paper addresses this gap by proposing EMU-IAB, a mobility emulator for private standalone 5G IAB networks. The proposed emulation environment comprises a 5G Core Network, an IAB-enabled Radio Access Network (RAN), leveraging the Open-RAN (O-RAN) architecture. The RAN includes a fixed IAB Donor, a mobile IAB Node, and multiple User Equipments (UEs). The mobility of the IAB Node is managed through EMU-IAB, which allows defining the path loss of emulated wireless channels. The validation of EMU-IAB was conducted under a realistic IAB node mobility scenario, addressing different traffic demand from the UEs.

Abstract

Abstract
The rapid growth of data traffic and evolving service demands are driving a shift from traditional network architectures to advanced solutions. While 5G networks provide reduced latency and higher availability, they still face limitations due to reliance on integrated hardware, leading to configuration and interoperability challenges. The emerging Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) paradigm addresses these issues by enabling remote configuration and management of virtualized components through open interfaces, promoting cost-effective, multi-vendor interoperability. Network slicing, a key 5G enabler, allows for tailored network configurations to meet heterogeneous performance requirements. The main contribution of this paper is a private Standalone 5G network based on O-RAN, featuring a dynamic Data Radio Bearer Management xApp (xDRBM) for real-time metric collection and traffic prioritization. xDRBM optimizes resource usage and ensures performance guarantees for specific applications. Validation was conducted in an emulated environment representative of real-world scenarios. © ICST Institute for Computer Sciences, Social Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering 2025.