ETSI Unveils Groundbreaking Use Case on Mission Critical XR Through THz Links

The European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) announced the release of a pioneering use case on Mission Critical Extended Reality (XR) communication. The case is part of a new report ( TeraHertz modeling (THz); Identification of use cases for THz communication systems) that has just been released by ETSI.

The report identifies 19 use cases where THz communications play a major role. Besides technological
benefits, described use cases equally bring societal benefits in various fields such as healthcare, education,entertainment, transportation, environmental awareness or public safety. 

Mission Critical Communications

This revolutionary THz communicatons application is tailored for critical missions, particularly in public safety scenarios, where reliability, priority of service delivery, and stringent requirements on latency are paramount.

Mission Critical XR revolutionizes communication for crucial missions, such as search and rescue operations, by integrating Extended Reality technologies with advanced communication protocols. This enables seamless coordination and information exchange among rescue personnel, enhancing situational awareness and mission efficacy.

The use case scenario portrays a team of rescue personnel equipped with XR helmets, utilizing a centralized commanding vehicle as the control center. Through Terahertz (THz) links, the commanding vehicle receives real-time data from XR helmets, including vital information such as the position of debris, location of potential victims, and vital signs. This centralized communication topology ensures efficient coordination and decision-making, crucial in high-pressure environments.

In alternative scenarios, rescue robots or drones are dispatched to hazardous areas, while rescue teams remain safely within the commanding vehicle, equipped with XR devices. These robots and drones, operating autonomously, provide additional sensing capabilities and serve as communication relays, expanding coverage and ensuring seamless connectivity in challenging environments.

ETSI emphasizes the importance of pre-conditions for successful implementation, including the reachability of THz links, availability of THz-based localization and sensing, and the presence of semi-autonomous robots equipped with sensors. These prerequisites enable the seamless integration of Mission Critical XR into diverse operational environments.

Service flows outlined by ETSI underscore the real-time information exchange between team members and the commanding vehicle, facilitated by XR helmets and relay devices. This includes video, audio, location, motion, and vital sign status, critical for informed decision-making and effective coordination during rescue missions.

Moreover, post-conditions highlight the successful utilization of Mission Critical XR with enhanced resolution and latency, incorporating THz-based sensing to ensure mission success.

ETSI identifies potential requirements for system support, including THz-based communication mechanisms, Quality of Service (QoS) mechanisms, and device-to-device direct communication and relay capabilities over THz links.

The use case operates in both indoor and outdoor settings, characterized by the presence of debris, smoke, fire, and other environmental challenges, which may impact THz signal propagation.

ETSI acknowledges the enabling technologies crucial for Mission Critical XR, including QoS mechanisms, device-to-device communication, broadcast, multicast over THz links, THz-based sensing and positioning, and semi-autonomous robotics.

This groundbreaking use case exemplifies ETSI's commitment to advancing telecommunications standards, ensuring the seamless integration of innovative technologies into critical missions for the betterment of society.