OPS5G (Cyber-physical Environment for Real-time, Efficient, Sustainable 5G Farming) is a Vertical Experiments project for the IMAGINE-B5G Spanish test-facility from Xilbi Sistemas de Informacion SL. It is one of the projects that were selected for the third Open Call of Imagine-B5G.
Overall, the vision of OPS5G is to establish a fully digitalised, highly responsive agricultural ecosystem underpinned by 5G connectivity, AI-driven decision support, and a sophisticated digital twin. By offering an integrated platform that synchronises data from multiple sources, generates predictive insights, and conveys these insights in real time to farm operators, OPS5G aspires to define a new standard for scalable, sustainable, and future-proof farming operations.
In pursuit of these aims, the project integrates various technological subsystems—ranging from Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and Earth observation data to unmanned aerial vehicles, renewable energy systems, and augmented reality devices—under a single, coherent digital framework.
A core element of OPS5G’s offering is the Environmental Digital Twin (EDT), which provides a high-fidelity, three-dimensional (3D) interactive simulation environment mirroring the actual farming site. This digital representation draws upon data sourced from IoT-based sensors (e.g., soil humidity, nutrient levels, and weather conditions), Earth Observation platforms such as Copernicus, and other inputs like drone surveillance or meteorological forecasts.
Layered on top of this digital twin is the AI-enabled Decision Support System (DSS), which represents the intelligence behind OPS5G. This DSS processes current and historical data to generate practical recommendations, ensuring that inputs—such as fertilisers, water, and energy—are utilised efficiently. By synthesising multiple data sources, including renewable energy availability from on-site photovoltaic panels or wind turbines, the system supports dynamic decision-making.
Another important pillar of the project’s vision is the on-site interaction model. The inclusion of an augmented reality interface ensures that field personnel can navigate the environment while seamlessly viewing pertinent information—such as crop health metrics, machinery status, and soil conditions—through AR glasses. These insights, coupled with location-specific recommendations, reduce manual guesswork and enhance workers’ situational awareness.
The proposed solution will impact IMAGINE-B5G in different ways.
At the Management level
The validation will focus on the end-to-end efficiency of resource management approaches, emphasising:
- Zero-Touch Management and OPEX Reductions
- Intelligent Orchestration: Automated deployment and lifecycle management of OPS5G components (e.g., containerised AI services, digital twin applications) are expected to lower operating costs by minimising manual interventions.
- Scalable Slicing: Network slicing adjusts resources based on immediate demands of IoT sensors, AR interfaces, or video analytics. This ensures a more effective usage of bandwidth and computing capacity without requiring frequent reconfigurations.
- Open Interfaces for Vertical Use Cases
- Network for AI: The platform’s open APIs provides access to critical metrics (e.g., latency, throughput) that can be harnessed by AI models for ongoing optimisation at the application level.
At the Societal level
OPS5G addresses key societal concerns linked to sustainability, affordability, trustworthiness, security, and privacy. By embedding 5G-based innovations in agricultural workflows, the project aims to improve:
- Energy Consumption
- Reduced Carbon Footprint: Through real-time alignment of resource usage (e.g., irrigation pumps) with on-site renewable generation, OPS5G decreases dependence on external power grids, thus lowering emissions.
- Resource Efficiency: AI-enabled precision farming minimises excess water and fertiliser usage, contributing to environmental sustainability.
- Safety, Coverage, and Affordability
- Enhanced Coverage: Low-latency connectivity ensures remote farms can leverage advanced digital services, promoting inclusivity and bridging the rural-urban technology gap.
- Trustworthiness and Security: Encrypted data flows and network slicing ensure confidential agronomic data is protected from cyber threats, fostering user trust.
This project has already started its work in the IMAGINE-B5G first open call. If you want to learn more about this and the other selected projects stay tuned to our website and our social media channels.
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