Bridging the Gap to 6G: Leveraging the Synergy of Standardization and Adaptability

Anjanabhargavi Kulkarni; R.H. Goudar; Joshi Vinayak B.; Harish H.T.

doi:10.4108/eetsis.6089

Authors

Anjanabhargavi Kulkarni Visvesvaraya Technological University
R.H. Goudar Visvesvaraya Technological University
Joshi V.B. Garden City University
Harish H.T. Manipal Academy of Higher Education

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4108/eetsis.6089

Keywords:

6G, Cell-Free Communications, Internet of Things, Intelligent Reflecting Surface, massive MIMO, Terahertz Communications, Visible Light Communication

Abstract

The field of wireless network and communication technology is evolving from generation to generation from 1G to 6G as of now till expected to be deployed and used by 2030. It is to succeed in 5G and bring significant improvements in terms of connectivity, speed, and size in next-generation communication technology. 6G aims to deal with the rising need for more rapid information speed, low latency, and wider network coverage. This intelligent communication is proposed to meet these demands and enable new services and applications. This review paper highlights the key enablers and challenges involved in implementing intelligent communication beyond 5G. The paper identifies the research gaps for incorporating beyond 5G communication networks and outlines the possible 6G key objectives from a flexibility standpoint. It reviews infrastructure deployment, network densification, spectrum capacity and network energy efficiency in predecessors to 6G. This paper emphasizes the need for standardization and adaptation of research areas to revolutionize 6G wireless communication, focusing on areas like, ultra massive MIMO, Terahertz Communications, Cell-Free Communications, Intelligent Reflecting Surface, Visible Light Communication, Internet of Things, Big Data management, Artificial Intelligence, and network connectivity techniques.

References

[1] W. Jiang, B. Han, M. A. Habibi, and H. D. Schotten, "The Road Towards 6G: A Comprehensive Survey," in IEEE Open Journal of the Communications Society, vol. 2, pp. 334-366, 2021, doi: 10.1109/OJCOMS.2021.3057679.

[2] M. Z. Chowdhury, M. Shahjalal, S. Ahmed, and Y. M. Jang, "6G Wireless Communication Systems: Applications, Requirements, Technologies, Challenges, and Research Directions," IEEE Open Journal of the Communications Society, vol. 1, 2020, doi: 10.1109/OJCOMS.2020.3010270.

[3] S. Bhatia, B. Mallikarjuna, D. Gautam, U. Gupta, S. Kumar, and S. Verma, "The Future IoT: The Current Generation 5G and Next Generation 6G and 7G Technologies," in 2023 International Conference on Device Intelligence, Computing and Communication Technologies (DICCT), Dehradun, India, 2023, doi: 10.1109/DICCT56244.2023.10110066.

[4] W. Saad, M. Bennis, and M. Chen, "A Vision of 6G Wireless Systems: Applications, Trends, Technologies, and Open Research Problems," in IEEE Network, vol. 34, no. 3, pp. 134-142, May/June 2020, doi: 10.1109/MNET.001.1900287.

[5] E. A. Kadar, R. Shubair, S. K. Abdul Rahim, M. Himdi, M. R. Kamarudin, and S. L. Rosa, "B5G and 6G: Next Generation Wireless Communications Technologies, Demand and Challenges," in 2021 International Congress of Advanced Technology and Engineering (ICOTEN), Taiz, Yemen, 2021, doi: 10.1109/ICOTEN52080.2021.9493470.

[6] C. Felita and M. Suryanegara, "5G Key Technologies: Identifying Innovation Opportunity," in 2013 International Conference on QiR, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, 2013, pp. 235-238, doi: 10.1109/QiR.2013.6632571.

[7] J. Cook, S. U. Rehman, and M. A. Khan, "Security and Privacy for Low Power IoT Devices on 5G and Beyond Networks: Challenges and Future Directions," in IEEE Access, vol. 11, pp. 39295-39317, 2023, doi: 10.1109/ACCESS.2023.3268064.

[8] Y. Siriwardhana, P. Porambage, M. Liyanage, and M. Ylianttila, "AI and 6G Security: Opportunities and Challenges," in 2021 Joint European Conference on Networks and Communications & 6G Summit (EuCNC/6G Summit), Porto, Portugal, 2021, pp. 616-621, doi: 10.1109/EuCNC/6GSummit51104.2021.9482503.

[9] M. Alsabah et al., "6G: A Comprehensive Survey," IEEE Access, vol. 9, pp. 148191-148243, 2021, doi: 10.1109/ACCESS.2021.3124812.

[10] J. H. Kim, "6G and Internet of Things: A Survey," Journal of Management Analytics, vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 316-332, 2021, doi: 10.1080/23270012.2021.1882350.

[11] Z. Wang et al., "Vision, Application Scenarios, and Key Technology Trends for 6G Mobile Communications," Science China Information Sciences, vol. 65, no. 151301, 2022, doi: 10.1007/s11432-021-3351-5.

[12] D. C. Nguyen et al., "6G Internet of Things: A Comprehensive Survey," in IEEE Internet of Things Journal, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 359-383, Jan. 2022, doi: 10.1109/JIOT.2021.3103320.

[13] S. Elmeadawy and R. M. Shubair, "6G Wireless Communications: Future Technologies and Research Challenges," in 2019 International Conference on Electrical and Computing Technologies and Applications (ICECTA), Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, 2019, pp. 1-5, doi: 10.1109/ICECTA48151.2019.8959607.

[14] X. H. You et al., "Towards 6G Wireless Communication Networks: Vision, Enabling Technologies, and New Paradigm Shifts," Science China Information Sciences, 2021, doi: 10.1007/s11432-020-2955-6.

[15] G. Liu et al., "6G Requirements, Vision, and Enabling Technologies—Review of the SOLIDS 6G Mobile Network Architecture: Driving Forces, Features, and Functional Topology," China Mobile Research Institute, Beijing, 2021, doi: 10.1016/j.eng.2021.07.013.

[16] Y. Fu and T. Q. S. Quek, "On Recommendation-aware Content Caching for 6G: An Artificial Intelligence and Optimization Empowered Paradigm," Digital Communications Networks, 2020, doi: 10.1016/j.dcan.2020.06.005.

[17] C. -X. Wang et al., "On the Road to 6G: Visions, Requirements, Key Technologies, and Testbeds," in IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials, vol. 25, no. 2, pp. 905-974, Second quarter 2023, doi: 10.1109/COMST.2023.3249837.

[18] S. Liao et al., "Information-Centric Massive IoT-Based Ubiquitous Connected VR/AR in 6G: A Proposed Caching Consensus Approach," in IEEE Internet of Things Journal, vol. 8, no. 7, pp. 5172-5184, Apr. 2021, doi: 10.1109/JIOT.2020.3030718.

[19] V. -L. Nguyen et al., "Security and Privacy for 6G: A Survey on Prospective Technologies and Challenges," in IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials, vol. 23, no. 4, pp. 2384-2428, Fourth quarter 2022, doi: 10.1109/COMST.2021.3108618.

[20] P. Mach and Z. Becvar, "Device-to-Device Relaying: Optimization, Performance Perspectives, and Open Challenges Towards 6G Networks," in IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials, vol. 24, no. 3, pp. 1336-1393, Third quarter 2022, doi: 10.1109/COMST.2022.3180887.

[21] M. Waqas et al., "A Comprehensive Survey on Mobility-Aware D2D Communications: Principles, Practice and Challenges," in IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials, vol. 22, no. 3, pp. 1863-1886, Third quarter 2020, doi: 10.1109/COMST.2019.2923708.

[22] A. Asadi, Q. Wang, and V. Mancuso, "A Survey on Device-to-Device Communication in Cellular Networks," IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials, vol. 16, no. 4, pp. 1801-1819, 2014, doi: 10.1109/COMST.2014.2319555.

[23] A. L. Imoize et al., "6G Enabled Smart Infrastructure for Sustainable Society: Opportunities, Challenges, and Research Roadmap," Sensors, vol. 21, no. 1709, 2021, doi: 10.3390/s21051709. "6G Global Progress and Development Prospects," CCID, Beijing, China, White Paper, May 2021, [Online]. Available: https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202106/1225478.shtml.

[24] W. Tong and P. Zhu, "6G, The Next Horizon: White Paper," Cambridge, U.K.: Cambridge University Press, 2021, [Online]. Available: https://www.huawei.com/en/huaweitech/future-technologies/6g-white-paper.

[25] "6G Wireless Endogenous AI Architecture and Technology," China Mobile, Beijing, China, White Paper, 2022, [Online]. Available: https://techblog.comsoc.org/2022/06/22/china-mobile-unveils-6g-architecture-with-a-digital-twin-network-dtn-concept.

[26] "6G: The Next Horizon White Paper 2022," [Online]. Available: https://www-file.huawei.com/-/media/corp2020/pdf/tech-insights/1/6g-white-paper-en.pdf?la=en.

[27] "6G Technology Trends," 6G Working Group, 6G Technology Trends Report, White Paper, 5G Forum, February 2021, [Online]. Available: http://6gglobal.org/uploaded/board/epublication/3f0a04a5a47aca21a3d23f7c02e72d700.pdf.

[28] "IMT-2030 has Published 'White Paper on 6G Vision and Candidate Technologies," IMT-2030 (6G) Promotion Group, White Paper, Jun. 2021, [Online]. Available: http://www.caict.ac.cn/english/news/202106/P020210608349616163475.pdf.

[29] "6G Typical Scenarios and Key Capabilities," IMT-2030 (6G) Promotion Group, White Paper, Jul. 2022, [Online]. Available: http://www.caict.ac.cn/english/news/202106/P020210608349616163475.pdf.

[30] NTT DOCOMO INC., "5G Evolution and 6G," White Paper, Jan. 2020, [Online]. Available: DOCOMO_6G_White_PaperEN_20200124.pdf.

[31] Samsung Research, "6G: The Next Hyper-Connected Experience for All," White Paper, Jul. 2020, [Online]. Available: 20201201_6G_Vision_web.pdf.

[32] "6G Drivers and Vision," Next Generation Mobile Networks Alliance Magazine, Apr. 2021, [Online]. Available: ngmn.org/wp-content/uploads/NGMN-6G-Drivers-and-Vision-V1.0_final_New.pdf.

[33] "European Vision for the 6G Network Ecosystem," 5G Infrastructure Association, Heidelberg, Germany, White Paper, Jun. 2021, [Online]. Available: WhitePaper-6G-Europe.pdf.

[34] "From Cloud AI to Network AI," 6G Alliance, Washington, DC, USA, White Paper, May 2021, [Online]. Available: National-6G-Roadmap-Working-Group-Report.pdf.

[35] T. Huang et al., "A Survey on Green 6G Network: Architecture and Technologies," IEEE Access, vol. 7, pp. 175758-175768, 2019, doi: 10.1109/ACCESS.2019.2957648.

[36] L. Zhang, Y.-C. Liang, and D. Niyato, "6G Visions: Mobile Ultrabroadband, Super Internet-of-Things, and Artificial Intelligence," China Communications, vol. 16, no. 8, pp. 1-14, Aug. 2019, doi: 10.23919/JCC.2019.08.001.

[37] Z. Zhang et al., "6G Wireless Networks: Vision, Requirements, Architecture, and Key Technologies," IEEE Vehicular Technology Magazine, vol. 14, no. 3, pp. 28-41, Sep. 2019, doi: 10.1109/MVT.2019.2921208.

[38] B. Zong et al., "6G Technologies: Key Drivers, Core Requirements, System Architectures, and Enabling Technologies," IEEE Vehicular Technology Magazine, vol. 14, no. 3, pp. 18-27, Sep. 2019, doi: 10.1109/MVT.2019.2921398.

[39] L. U. Khan et al., "6G Wireless Systems: A Vision, Architectural Elements, and Future Directions," IEEE Access, vol. 8, pp. 147029-147044, 2020, doi: 10.1109/ACCESS.2020.3015289.

[40] L. Bariah et al., "A Prospective Look: Key Enabling Technologies, Applications, and Open Research Topics in 6G Networks," IEEE Access, vol. 8, pp. 174792-174820, 2020, doi: 10.1109/MWC.001.1900516.

[41] H. Viswanathan and P. E. Mogensen, "Communications in the 6G Era," IEEE Access, vol. 8, pp. 57063-57074, 2020, doi: 10.1109/ACCESS.2020.2981745.

[42] M. Giordani et al., "Toward 6G Networks: Use Cases and Technologies," IEEE Communications Magazine, vol. 58, no. 3, pp. 55-61, Mar. 2020, doi: 10.1109/MCOM.001.1900411.

[43] G. Liu et al., "Vision, Requirements, and Network Architecture of 6G Mobile Network Beyond 2030," China Communications, vol. 17, no. 9, pp. 92-104, Sep. 2020, doi: 10.23919/JCC.2020.09.008.

[44] J. Wu, "Development Paradigms of Cyberspace Endogenous Safety and Security," Science China Information Sciences, vol. 65, no. 5, May 2022, doi: 10.1007/s11432-021-3379-2.

[45] Kodheli et al., "Satellite Communications in the New Space Era: A Survey and Future Challenges," IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials, vol. 23, no. 1, pp. 70-109, 1st Quart. 2021, doi: 10.1109/COMST.2020.3028247.

[46] M. Mozaffari et al., "A Tutorial on UAVs for Wireless Networks: Applications, Challenges, and Open Problems," IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials, vol. 21, no. 3, pp. 2334-2360, 3rd Quart. 2019, doi: 10.1109/COMST.2019.2902862.

[47] C. C. Yu et al., "Maritime Broadband Communications: Applications, Challenges, and an Offshore 5G Virtual MIMO Paradigm," in Proc. IEEE ISPA/BDCloud/SocialCom/SustainCom, Exeter, U.K., Dec. 2020, pp. 1286-1291, doi: 10.1109/ISPA-BDCloud-SocialCom-SustainCom51426.2020.00190.

[48] M. Jouhari et al., "Underwater Wireless Sensor Networks: A Survey on Enabling Technologies, Localization Protocols, and Internet of Underwater Things," IEEE Access, vol. 7, pp. 96879-96899, 2019, doi: 10.1109/ACCESS.2019.2928876.

[49] N. Saeed et al., "Toward the Internet of Underground Things: A Systematic Survey," IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials, vol. 21, no. 4, pp. 3443-3466, 4th Quart., 2019, doi: 10.1109/COMST.2019.2934365.

[50] K. Liolis et al., "Use Cases and Scenarios of 5G Integrated Satellite-Terrestrial Networks for Enhanced Mobile Broadband: The SaT5G Approach," International Journal of Satellite Communication and Networking, vol. 37, no. 2, pp. 91-112, Mar. 2019, doi: 10.1109/COMST.2019.2934365.

[51] "Key Elements for Integrating Satellite Systems into Next Generation Access Technologies," ITU-R, Geneva, Switzerland, Rep. ITU-R M.2460-0, Jul. 2019, [Online]. Available: https://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-r/opb/rep/r-rep-m.2460-2019-pdf-e.pdf.

[52] W. Jiang, B. Han, M. A. Habibi, and H. D. Schotten, "The Road Towards 6G: A Comprehensive Survey," in IEEE Open Journal of the Communications Society, vol. 2, pp. 334-366, 2021, doi: 10.1109/OJCOMS.2021.3057679.

[53] "White Paper on 6G Vision, Requirement and Challenges," VIVO, Dongguan, China, White Paper, Oct. 2020, [Online]. Available: 2vivo6gvisionEN2020Oct.pdf.

[54] S. Chen et al., "Vision Requirements and Technology Trend of 6G: How to Tackle the Challenges of System Coverage Capacity User Data-Rate and Movement Speed," IEEE Wireless Communications, vol. 27, no. 2, pp. 218-228, Apr. 2020, doi: 10.1109/MWC.001.1900333.

[55] T. Nakamura, "5G Evolution and 6G," in *2020 International Symposium on VLSI Design, Automation and Test (VLSI-DAT)*, Hsinchu, Taiwan, 2020, doi: 10.1109/VLSI-DAT49148.2020.9196309.

[56] S. Suyama et al., "Recent Studies on Massive MIMO Technologies for 5G Evolution and 6G," in 2022 IEEE Radio and Wireless Symposium (RWS), Las Vegas, NV, USA, 2022, doi: 10.1109/RWS53089.2022.9719949.

[57] Y. Sun et al., "When Machine Learning Meets Privacy in 6G: A Survey," IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials, vol. 22, no. 4, pp. 2694-2724, 4th Quart. 2020, doi: 10.1109/COMST.2020.3011561.

[58] G. Gui et al., "6G: Opening New Horizons for Integration of Comfort, Security, and Intelligence," IEEE Wireless Communications, vol. 27, no. 5, pp. 126-132, Oct. 2020, doi: 10.1109/MWC.001.1900516.

[59] F. Guo et al., "Enabling Massive IoT Toward 6G: A Comprehensive Survey," IEEE Internet of Things Journal, vol. 8, no. 15, pp. 11891-11915, Apr. 2021, doi: 10.1109/JIOT.2021.3063686.

[60] V. -L. Nguyen et al., "Security and Privacy for 6G: A Survey on Prospective Technologies and Challenges," in IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials, vol. 23, no. 4, pp. 2384-2428, Fourth quarter 2021, doi: 10.1109/COMST.2021.3108618.

[61] S. Cherbal et al., "Security in Internet of Things: A Review on Approaches Based on Blockchain, Machine Learning, Cryptography, and Quantum Computing," Journal of Supercomputing, vol. 80, pp. 3738–3816, 2024, doi: 10.1007/s11227-023-05616-2.

[62] A. A. A. Solyman and K. Yahya, "Key Performance Requirement of Future Next Wireless Networks (6G)," Bulletin of Electrical Engineering and Informatics, vol. 10, no. 6, pp. 3249-3255, 2021, doi: 10.11591/eei.v10i6.3176.

[63] M. H. Alsharif et al., "Sixth Generation (6G) Wireless Networks: Vision, Research Activities, Challenges, and Potential Solutions," Symmetry, vol. 12, no. 676, 2020, doi: 10.3390/sym12040676.

[64] S. L. Mohammed et al., "Robust Hybrid Beamforming Scheme for Millimeter-Wave Massive-MIMO 5G Wireless Networks," Symmetry, vol. 11, no. 11, Article 1424, 2019, doi: 10.3390/sym11111424.

[65] R. Kaur et al., "A Survey on Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface for Physical Layer Security of Next-Generation Wireless Communications," in IEEE Open Journal of Vehicular Technology, doi: 10.1109/OJVT.2023.3348658.

[66] D. Shakya et al., "Exploring Millimeter-Wave and Terahertz Circuits and Systems With a Novel Multiuser Measurement Facility: Multiuser Terahertz Measurement Facility (THz Lab)," in IEEE Microwave Magazine, vol. 25, no. 2, pp. 68-79, Feb. 2024, doi: 10.1109/MMM.2023.3320820.

[67] Z. Zhang et al., "Toward 6G Multi-Cell Orthogonal Time Frequency Space Systems: Interference Coordination and Cooperative Communications," in IEEE Vehicular Technology Magazine, doi: 10.1109/MVT.2023.3345609.

[68] M. S. J. Solaija et al., "Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing: The Way Forward for 6G Physical Layer Design?," in IEEE Vehicular Technology Magazine, doi: 10.1109/MVT.2023.3344432.

[69] Mulla et al., "A Low-Complexity Iterative Algorithm for Multiuser Millimeter-Wave Systems," Annals of Telecommunications, vol. 79, pp. 101–110, 2024, doi: 10.1007/s12243-023-00979-2.

[70] Y. Eghbali et al., "Providing URLLC Service in Multi-STAR-RIS Assisted and Full-Duplex Cellular Wireless Systems: A Meta-Learning Approach," in IEEE Communications Letters, doi: 10.1109/LCOMM.2023.3349377.

[71] Z. Wang et al., "A Tutorial on Extremely Large-Scale MIMO for 6G: Fundamentals, Signal Processing, and Applications," in IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials, doi: 10.1109/COMST.2023.3349276.

[72] B. Lee et al., "Fusing Channel and Sensor Measurements for Enhancing Predictive Beamforming in UAV-Assisted Massive MIMO Communications," in IEEE Wireless Communications Letters, doi: 10.1109/LWC.2023.3348794.

[73] T. Chao et al., "Joint Beamforming and Aerial IRS Positioning Design for IRS-Assisted MISO System With Multiple Access Points," in IEEE Open Journal of the Communications Society, vol. 5, pp. 612-632, 2024, doi: 10.1109/OJCOMS.2023.3346895.

[74] X. Shang et al., "Some Recent Advances in Measurements at Millimeter-Wave and Terahertz Frequencies: Advances in High Frequency Measurements," in IEEE Microwave Magazine, vol. 25, no. 1, pp. 58-71, Jan. 2024, doi: 10.1109/MMM.2023.3321516.

[75] M. I. Maulana and M. Suryanegara, "Progress in 6G Technology: A Short Review," in 2023 6th International Conference of Computer and Informatics Engineering (IC2IE), Lombok, Indonesia, 2023, pp. 36-41, doi: 10.1109/IC2IE60547.2023.10331416.

[76] H. Liu et al., "Cloud Native Based Intelligent RAN Architecture Towards 6G Programmable Networking," in 2022 7th International Conference on Computer and Communication Systems (ICCCS), Wuhan, China, 2022, pp. 623-627, doi: 10.1109/ICCCS55155.2022.9846266.

[77] D. A. Cordova Morales et al., "Towards a Blockgraph-Based Trustless Authentication Scheme for Future 6G Technology," in 2023 2nd International Conference on 6G Networking (6GNet), Paris, France, 2023, pp. 1-4, doi: 10.1109/6GNet58894.2023.10317665.

[78] "IMT Traffic Estimates for the Years 2020 to 2030," ITU-R Standard M.2370-0, [Online]. Available: R-REC-M.2160-0-202311-I!!PDF-E.pdf.

[79] X. Shang et al., "Some Recent Advances in Measurements at Millimeter-Wave and Terahertz Frequencies: Advances in High Frequency Measurements," in IEEE Microwave Magazine, vol. 25, no. 1, pp. 58-71, Jan. 2024, doi: 10.1109/MMM.2023.3321516.

[80] Mulla et al., "A Low-Complexity Iterative Algorithm for Multiuser Millimeter-Wave Systems," Annals of Telecommunications, vol. 79, pp. 101–110, 2024, doi: 10.1007/s12243-023-00979-2.

[81] T. Chao et al., "Joint Beamforming and Aerial IRS Positioning Design for IRS-Assisted MISO System with Multiple Access Points," in IEEE Open Journal of the Communications Society, vol. 5, pp. 612-632, 2024, doi: 10.1109/OJCOMS.2023.3346895.