6G network enables high-speed, low-latency communication at a pace multiple times faster than fifth-generation networks.
A 6G network is a new cellular network. It uses untapped radio frequencies and AI for fast, low-latency communication. This article explores 6G, its core functionalities, and how it works.
What Is a 6G Network?
A 6G network is a new cellular network. It uses untapped radio frequencies and AI for fast, low-latency communication. 6G is still in research and development, but it's expected to be much faster than 5G.
6G is the sixth-generation mobile system standard. It's being developed for wireless communications over cellular data networks. It's the next step after 5G and will likely be much faster.
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) standardizes wireless generations every decade. They are denoted by a gap in the “air interface,” which signifies a shift in transmissions or coding. This is implemented so that older devices cannot be updated to the newer generation since doing so would generate a limitless quantity of “noise” and “spectrum pollution.”
Typically, subsequent generations (i.e., the next G) use much more sophisticated digital encoding that outdated computers cannot achieve. They depend on broader airwave bands that governments did not previously make accessible. Additionally, they have immensely complex antenna arrays that were previously impossible to construct. Today, we are in the fifth generation. The first standard for 5G New Radio (NR) was developed in 2017 and is presently being implemented globally.
According to a report titled “6G The Next Hyper-Connected Experience for All,” the ITU will start work in 2021 to create a 6G mission statement. The standard will likely finish by 2028 when the first 6G devices are available. Around 2030, deployment will be close to ubiquitous.
How will 6G work?
The exact working of 6G is not yet known, as the specification is yet to be fully developed, finalized, and released by the ITU. However, depending on previous generations of cellular networks, one can expect several core functionalities. Primarily, 6G will operate by:
- Making use of free spectrum: A lot of 6G research is about sending data at very high frequencies. 5G can go up to 100GHz, but we only use up to 39GHz now. For 6G, scientists want to use waves in the hundreds or thousands of GHz or THz. These tiny waves could carry data at incredible speeds if we use the unused spectrum.
- Improving the efficiency of the free spectrum: Now, wireless tech lets us send or receive on one frequency at a time. For two-way talk, we split our streams by frequency (FDD) or time (TDD). 6G might make current spectrum use better by letting devices send and receive on the same frequency at once.
- Taking advantage of mesh networking: Mesh networking has been talked about for years, but 5G still uses a hub-and-spoke setup. This means phones connect to cell towers, which then connect to a main network. 6G could make devices act as repeaters, expanding coverage and using it better.
- Integrating with the “new IP:” A Finnish research paper suggests 6G might use a new Internet Protocol. It compares current IP packets to snail mail, with a new packet being like a fast courier service. This new IP would carry more information and work faster.
6G will use different frequencies to see how they absorb and adjust wavelengths. This method uses the fact that atoms and molecules absorb and emit radiation at specific wavelengths. This means the frequencies of emission and absorption are the same for any material.
When will 6G become available?
The commercial launch of 6G is expected around 2030-2035. The ITU and the IEEE agree on this timeline in a paper called “6G Architecture to Connect the Worlds.”
The paper says, “By 2030 and beyond, we face big challenges and chances worldwide. We need a bold 6G vision for the future to support growth, sustainability, and digital inclusion.”
Some early talks have started to describe 6G, but serious R&D began in 2020.
The 6G Flagship initiative is a European study on 6G tech. Japan is investing $482 million in 6G research for the next few years. Russia's NIIR and Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology predict 6G networks by 2035.
American mobile providers are pushing forward with 6G innovation. AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile are leading the Next G Alliance. This group started a 6G technology development program in May 2021.
Why is 6G necessary?
Even though 5G is still being rolled out, and 4G is not fully available everywhere, 6G is already on the horizon. It aims to support the 4th Industrial Revolution. This means connecting humans, machines, and the environment.
6G will have unique features to improve wireless communication. It will use machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) for linked devices. It will also benefit smart cities, driverless cars, and virtual reality.
6G will combine technologies like deep learning and big data analytics. It will work closely with high-performance computing (HPC). Most IoT and mobile data will need HPC, making 6G crucial.
See More: What Is Wifi 6? Meaning, Speed, Features, and Benefits
8 Unique Features of 6G
6G networks will work alongside 5G for a time. They will be a big leap forward in several areas. This is because 6G will have unique features.
1. The use of new spectrum bands
Spectrum is key for radio connections. Each new generation needs new spectrum to use new tech fully. Changing the current spectrum to the next generation is part of this.
For urban outdoor cells, 6G will use mid-bands 7-20 GHz. This will increase capacity with extreme Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO). Low bands 460-694 MHz will provide wide coverage. Sub-THz spectrums (between 90 GHz and 300 GHz) will offer speeds over 100 Gbps.
5G-Advanced will improve data transfer and accuracy. 6G will take localization to the next level with a broad spectrum, including terahertz.
2. Very high data transfer speeds
5G will have a peak data throughput of 20 Gbps and a user-experienced rate of 100 Mbps. But 6G will reach 1 Tbps and 1 Gbps for users. This means 6G's spectral efficiency will be almost double 5G's.
Higher spectral efficiency means more users can access modern services instantly. Network operators need to update their infrastructure for this.
3. Ultra-low latency network functions
The latency of 5G will be lowered to just one millisecond. This will improve the performance of many real-time applications. However, 6G will take it even further, reducing latency to less than 0.1 milliseconds.
Many delay-sensitive real-time applications will see a big improvement. This drastic reduction in latency will make a huge difference. It will allow for better performance and functionality.
Decreased latency will also enable emergency response, remote surgical procedures, and industrial automation. 6G will make the network 100 times more dependable than 5G networks. This will make the seamless execution of delay-sensitive real-time applications possible.
See More: LTE vs. 4G: Understanding The 8 Key Differences
4. Greater support for machine-to-machine (M2M) connections
While 5G addresses both human users and Internet of Things (IoT) use cases, 6G will focus more on M2M connectivity. Today’s 4G networks support around 100,000 devices per square kilometer. 5G is significantly more advanced, enabling the connectivity of one million devices per square kilometer.
With the advent of 6G networks, the target of 10 million linked devices per square kilometer is within reach. All 6G networks will include mobile edge computing, although it must be added to current 5G networks. By the time 6G networks are implemented, edge and core computing will be increasingly assimilated as elements of a unified communication and compute infrastructure framework.
5. A focus on energy efficiency
As previously discussed, 6G networks will require stronger radio frequencies to meet the requirement for greater bandwidth. However, one of the challenges is that the foundational (chip) technology cannot (yet) function energy-efficiently in these frequency ranges. Therefore, optimizing power consumption will be a key focus area for 6G developers.
Currently, researchers intend to reduce the energy consumption per bit to lower than one nanojoule (10-9 joules), as per the peer-reviewed paper titled “From 5G to 6G Technology: Meets Energy, Internet-of-Things and Machine Learning: A Survey.”
6. Greater network reliability
The 5G-led Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communication (URLLC) service will be further developed and enhanced in 6G. Reliability might be enhanced through simultaneous transmission, numerous wireless hops, device-to-device connectivity, and AI/ML. Consequently, 6G will be better than 5G in terms of network penetration and stability.
In addition, 6G will optimize M2M interactions by increasing network dependability by greater than a hundredfold and decreasing error rates by tenfold compared to previous generations.
7. The rise of new architectures
5G represents the first solution designed to replace wired connections in corporate and industrial settings. It is deploying services-led architecture in the core foundation and cloud-native deployments, which will be expanded to portions of the radio access network (RAN). It is also anticipated that 6G networks will be implemented in heterogeneous cloud settings, including a combination of private, public, and hybrid clouds with a suitable architecture to support this.
8. The use of AI and ML for optimal connectivity
5G will unlock the full power of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). AI/ML will soon be used in many parts of the network. This includes improving beamforming and planning at cell sites. It will make networks more efficient and simple.
6G developers, like Nokia Bell Labs, aim for a fresh start with AI/ML. They want AI/ML to find the best way to communicate between devices.
See More: GSM vs. CDMA: Understanding the 10 Key Differences
Advantages of 6G Networks
6G networks will bring many benefits:
1. Enforces security
Cyberattacks are getting more common and unpredictable. 6G networks will have strong security to fight these threats. They will also protect against jamming. Privacy will be a key concern in new mixed-reality environments.
2. Supports personalization
OpenRAN is a new tech used by 5G. But for 6G, it will be even more advanced. AI-powered RAN will let mobile network operators give users a custom network experience. They can use real-time data to improve services like quality of experience (QoE) and quality of service (QoS).
3. Extends the capabilities of 5G apps
This bandwidth and speed will make 5G apps better. It will also open up new possibilities for wireless networking. 6G access points will be able to serve many customers at once using OFDMA.
4. Drives the development of wireless sensing technologies
The sampling rate is key for digital signals. 6G will have faster sampling rates than 5G. It will also have much higher throughput and data rates. Sub-mm waves and frequency selectivity will help wireless sensing tech advance.
The network will collect data on its surroundings. It will detect objects, their shape, position, and even material. This data, combined with AI/ML, will make the network smarter and more insightful.
5. Inspiring new technology innovations
6G will bring new tech innovations to support it. This includes:
- More advanced data centers: 6G networks will create more data than 5G. They will use edge and core platforms for computation. This means data centers will need to evolve.
- Nano-cores that replace traditional processor cores: Nano-cores will combine HPC and AI into one core. They won't be physical nodes but a shared resource across networks.
6. Saves costs through reduced software dependency
Today's networks use software-defined operations. 6G will virtualize more parts, like MAC and PHY layers. This will cut down on the need for special network hardware. So, 6G will make networking cheaper and easier to roll out.
7. Improves cellular network penetration
6G networks will cover more area with fewer towers. This is great for places with lots of rain or trees. It also means better service for more devices.
8. Optimizes indoor network usage
Most cellular traffic happens indoors, but old networks didn't cover it well. 6G uses femtocells and DASs to fix this.
See More: What Is Network Topology? Definition, Types With Diagrams, and Selection Best Practices for 2022
Takeaway
Even as 5G expands, work on 6G is underway. 6G aims to link the physical and virtual worlds. Knowing about 6G is key for future readiness.
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