Thesis Code: 26011
Thesis Type: Master Thesis for Computer Engineering, ICT for Smart Societies, Telecommunication Engineering or related fields
Research Area: Connected Systems and Cybersecurity

Requirements

  • Solid understanding of computer networking (e.g., TCP/IP) and web technologies (e.g., HTTP, OAuth 2.0)
  • Strong experience with containerization and orchestration tools (Docker, Kubernetes)
  • Strong proficiency in the Go programming language
  • Familiarity with 5G systems

 Motivation

The 5G network architecture is designed to offer a flexible and scalable platform for supporting a wide range of services and applications. It follows a service-based paradigm, where network functions are modular and reusable.

The Network Exposure Function (NEF) is a key component of the 5G network architecture, enabling secure and controlled access to network services and resources. It plays a central role in supporting the development of innovative services and applications by providing standardized interfaces through which external applications can access network capabilities. Through the NEF, network operators can expose selected services and functionalities to third-party developers, thereby fostering innovation and enabling new opportunities. Extending the capabilities of this function is essential for the 5G ecosystem, as it enables the integration of diverse technologies. It serves as a gateway for innovation and experimentation, allowing vertical services to create new applications that leverage network capabilities.

Objective

The aim of this thesis is to extend the capabilities of the Network Exposure Function (NEF) of an open-source 5G core network solution deployed within the LINKS testbed. These new capabilities will be indeed leveraged in a real test scenario using the 5G NR infrastructure installed at the LINKS premises.

The first part of the thesis focuses on understanding the operation of the NEF and identifying which capabilities are available in the selected open-source solution. An analysis will be conducted to determine which Network Functions (NFs) within the 5G Core can be extended. The second part of the thesis is devoted to the implementation of the selected capabilities, following the design principles of each involved NF. Finally, a test case involving real devices will be carried out to evaluate the proposed solution.

The student will have the opportunity to work in a cutting-edge research laboratory. Starting from a virtualized environment, they will be able to facilitate the design and development of their work, ultimately leading to deployment in a real 5G Core network. The proposed solution may also be evaluated within a European or ESA research project.

Contact: send a resume with attached the list of exams and related scores to daniele.brevi@linksfoundation.com specifying the thesis code and title.