Transition technologies towards 6G networks

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Dimitrios Klonidis¹  Nikos Pleros²  George Kalfas²  Eugenio Ruggeri²  Chris Vagionas²  Evangelos Pikasis³  Bruno Cimoli⁴  Simon Rommel⁴  Idelfonso Tafur Monroy⁴  Thiago R. Raddo⁴  Evangelos Grivas⁵  Michael Katsikis⁵  Dimitrios Kritharidis⁵  Konstantinos Ntontin⁵  Mykhaylo Dubov⁶  Izabela Spaleniak⁶  Diego Perez-Galacho⁷  Salvador Sales⁷ 

[1] Athens Information Technology;Department of Informatics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki;Eulambia Advanced Technologies;Institute for Photonic Integration, Eindhoven University of Technology;Intracom Telecom;Optoscribe Ltd;Photonics Research Labs, iTEAM Research Institute, Universitat Politecnica de Valencia;

关键词: 5G;    6G;    Key-performance indicator (KPI);    mmWave;    Free-space optics (FSO);    Terahertz (THz);   

DOI  :  10.1186/s13638-021-01973-9

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Abstract The sixth generation (6G) mobile systems will create new markets, services, and industries making possible a plethora of new opportunities and solutions. Commercially successful rollouts will involve scaling enabling technologies, such as cloud radio access networks, virtualization, and artificial intelligence. This paper addresses the principal technologies in the transition towards next generation mobile networks. The convergence of 6G key-performance indicators along with evaluation methodologies and use cases are also addressed. Free-space optics, Terahertz systems, photonic integrated circuits, softwarization, massive multiple-input multiple-output signaling, and multi-core fibers, are among the technologies identified and discussed. Finally, some of these technologies are showcased in an experimental demonstration of a mobile fronthaul system based on millimeter 5G NR OFDM signaling compliant with 3GPP Rel. 15. The signals are generated by a bespoke 5G baseband unit and transmitted through both a 10 km prototype multi-core fiber and 4 m wireless V-band link using a pair of directional 60 GHz antennas with 10° beamwidth. Results shown that the 5G and beyond fronthaul system can successfully transmit signals with both wide bandwidth (up to 800 MHz) and fully centralized signal processing. As a result, this system can support large capacity and accommodate several simultaneous users as a key candidate for next generation mobile networks. Thus, these technologies will be needed for fully integrated, heterogeneous solutions to benefit from hardware commoditization and softwarization. They will ensure the ultimate user experience, while also anticipating the quality-of-service demands that future applications and services will put on 6G networks.

【 授权许可】

Unknown