Abstract
The fifth generation (5G) wireless communication networks are being deployed worldwide from 2020 and more capabilities are in the process of being standardized, such as mass connectivity, ultra-reliability, and guaranteed low latency. However, 5G will not meet all requirements of the future in 2030 and beyond, and sixth generation (6G) wireless communication networks are expected to provide global coverage, enhanced spectral/energy/cost efficiency, better intelligence level and security, etc. To meet these requirements, 6G networks will rely on new enabling technologies, i.e., air interface and transmission technologies and novel network architecture, such as waveform design, multiple access, channel coding schemes, multi-antenna technologies, network slicing, cell-free architecture, and cloud/fog/edge computing. Our vision on 6G is that it will have four new paradigm shifts. First, to satisfy the requirement of global coverage, 6G will not be limited to terrestrial communication networks, which will need to be complemented with non-terrestrial networks such as satellite and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) communication networks, thus achieving a space-air-ground-sea integrated communication network. Second, all spectra will be fully explored to further increase data rates and connection density, including the sub-6 GHz, millimeter wave (mmWave), terahertz (THz), and optical frequency bands. Third, facing the big datasets generated by the use of extremely heterogeneous networks, diverse communication scenarios, large numbers of antennas, wide bandwidths, and new service requirements, 6G networks will enable a new range of smart applications with the aid of artificial intelligence (AI) and big data technologies. Fourth, network security will have to be strengthened when developing 6G networks. This article provides a comprehensive survey of recent advances and future trends in these four aspects. Clearly, 6G with additional technical requirements beyond those of 5G will enable faster and further communications to the extent that the boundary between physical and cyber worlds disappears.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 110301 |
Journal | Science China Information Sciences |
Volume | 64 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 24 Nov 2020 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This work was supported by National Key R&D Program of China (Grant No. 2018YFB1801101), National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 61960206006, 61901109), Frontiers Science Center for Mobile Information Communication and Security, High Level Innovation and Entrepreneurial Research Team Program in Jiangsu, High Level Innovation and Entrepreneurial Talent Introduction Program in Jiangsu, National Postdoctoral Program for Innovative Talents (Grant No. BX20180062), Research Fund of National Mobile Communications Research Laboratory, Southeast University (Grant No. 2020B01), and Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (Grant No. 2242020R30001).
Publisher Copyright:
© 2020, The Author(s).
Copyright:
Copyright 2020 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
Keywords
- 6G
- air interface and transmission technologies
- all spectra
- artificial intelligence
- network architecture
- network security
- space-air-ground-sea integrated network
- vision
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Computer Science