R&I group

Software Networks

The Software Networks (SN) research group focuses on advancing the capabilities of next-generation networks through automation, intelligence, federation and integration. With the increasing shift from centralized to distributed infrastructures, the research group addresses resource management challenges. It focuses on combining AI, automation, and integration to simplify the management of complex networks, ensuring scalability, reliability, and efficiency for next-generation applications and services.

Research lines

Intent-Based Networking (IBN): This research line focuses on the intelligent orchestration of network resources through high-level business intent abstraction. IBN complements Network Function Virtualization (NFV) by abstracting the complexities of infrastructure configuration, much like NFV decouples services from physical hardware. At its core, IBN aims to translate business-level goals into network control policies via advanced generative AI (GenAI) and machine reasoning tools, which are learned and executed by low-level agentic systems, leveraging the Emergent Communication (EC) paradigm. This enables networks to adapt dynamically, respond to changing requirements, and self-optimize with minimal human intervention.
Cognitive Cloud Continuum: This research line is focused on the investigation and prototyping of cloud-native solutions for providing extended capabilities and intelligence across the edge-to-cloud continuum to improve latency, scalability, resource utilization, and context-awareness.Specific research topics include the integration and interoperation of NFV and MEC orchestrators, AI/ML-based analytics services for workload placement and re-allocation, federation of inter-operator edge platforms, and integration with a vertical-oriented service exposure layer.

Innovation lines

Connected Collaborative Computing (3C) Networks
Resource Exposure, GSMA Operator Platform, CAMARA, Federation and Open Gateway

Technologies

Intelligent Application/Service Orchestration for Cognitive Cloud Continuum [incl. extension to NTN]
Telco capabilities exposure (CAMARA, GSMA Open Gateway, Operator Platform) and network federation
Intent-based Networking
Intelligent slice management
Distributed and secure Marketplace for 5G/6G resources
Agentic Networking and Multi-agent communications protocols
Testbed & telco -focused virtualisation stacks

Group leader

Pouria Sayyad Khodashenas

Areas

Smart Networks & Services 5G/6G Space Communications

Software Networks

Projects

Software Networks

Publications

A Systematically Derived AI-based Framework for Student-Centered Learning in Higher Education

H. Albasry, E. Carmona-Cejudo, A. Rauf and D. Chen, “A Systematically Derived AI-based Framework for Student-Centered Learning in Higher Education,” Social Sciences & Humanities Open, Volume 12, 102085, 2025.

Introducing mobile edge computing capabilities through distributed 5G Cloud Enabled Small Cells

J.O. Fajardo, F. Liberal , I. Giannoulakis, E. Kafetzakis, V. Pii, I. Trajkovska, T.M. Bohnert, L. Goratti, R. Riggio, J. Garcia-Lloreda, P. S. Khodashenas, M. Paolino, P. Bliznakov, J. Perez-Romero, C. Meani, I. Chochliouros, M. Belesioti, “Introducing mobile edge computing capabilities through distributed 5G Cloud Enabled Small Cells”. ACM/Springer Mobile Networks and Applications, (2016) 21: 564.

Connected OFCity: Technology Innovations for a Smart City Project

R. Tucker, M. Ruffini, L. Valcarenghi, D. R. Campelo, D. Simeonidou, L. Du, M-C. Marinescu, C. Middleton, S. Yin, T. Forde, K. Bourg, E. Dai, Ed Harstead, P. Chanclou, H. Roberts, V. Jungnickel, S. Figuerola, et al. “Connected OFCity: Technology Innovations for a Smart City Project”. Journal of Optical Communications and Networking, Vol. 9, Issue 2, pp. A245-A255, 2017

Deploying a Novel 5G-Enabled Architecture on City Infrastructure for Ultra-High Definition and Immersive Media Production and Broadcasting

Carlos Colman Mexixner, Hamzeh Khalili, et. al., “Deploying a Novel 5G-Enabled Architecture on City Infrastructure for Ultra-High Definition and Immersive Media Production and Broadcasting”, In IEEE Transaction on Broadcasting, Vol. 65, pp. 392-403, 2019.

On 5G network slice modelling: Service-, resource-, or deployment-driven?

Apostolos Papageorgiou, Adriana Fernández-Fernández, Shuaib Siddiqui, Gino Carrozzo, On 5G network slice modelling: Service-, resource-, or deployment-driven?, Computer Communications, Volume 149, 2020, Pages 232-240, ISSN 0140-3664

Validating a 5G-Enabled Neutral Host Framework in City-Wide Deployments

Fernández-Fernández, A.; Colman-Meixner, C.; Ochoa-Aday, L.; Betzler, A.; Khalili, H.; Siddiqui, M.S.; Carrozzo, G.; Figuerola, S.; Nejabati, R.; Simeonidou, D. Validating a 5G-Enabled Neutral Host Framework in City-Wide Deployments. Sensors 2021, 21, 8103. https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/21/23/8103

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Software Networks