Wireless Networks: Vision, Research Activities, Challenges and Potential Solutions
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S S symmetry Review Sixth Generation (6G) Wireless Networks: Vision, Research Activities, Challenges and Potential Solutions Mohammed H. Alsharif 1 , Anabi Hilary Kelechi 2, Mahmoud A. Albreem 3, Shehzad Ashraf Chaudhry 4 , M. Sultan Zia 5 and Sunghwan Kim 6,* 1 Department of Electrical Engineering, College of Electronics and Information Engineering, Sejong University, 209 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05006, Korea; [email protected] 2 Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Engineering, College of Engineering, Covenant University, Canaanland, Ota P.M.B 1023, Ogun State, Nigeria; [email protected] 3 Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering, A’Sharqiyah University, Ibra 400, Oman; [email protected] 4 Department of Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Istanbul Gelisim University, Avcılar, 34310 Istanbul,˙ Turkey; [email protected] 5 Department of Computer Science and IT, University of Lahore, Gujrat Campus 50180, Pakistan; [email protected] 6 School of Electrical Engineering, University of Ulsan, Ulsan 44610, Korea * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +82-52-259-1401 Received: 28 March 2020; Accepted: 21 April 2020; Published: 24 April 2020 Abstract: The standardization activities of the fifth generation communications are clearly over and deployment has commenced globally. To sustain the competitive edge of wireless networks, industrial and academia synergy have begun to conceptualize the next generation of wireless communication systems (namely, sixth generation, (6G)) aimed at laying the foundation for the stratification of the communication needs of the 2030s. In support of this vision, this study highlights the most promising lines of research from the recent literature in common directions for the 6G project. Its core contribution involves exploring the critical issues and key potential features of 6G communications, including: (i) vision and key features; (ii) challenges and potential solutions; and (iii) research activities. These controversial research topics were profoundly examined in relation to the motivation of their various sub-domains to achieve a precise, concrete, and concise conclusion. Thus, this article will contribute significantly to opening new horizons for future research directions. Keywords: wireless networks; beyond 5G; 6G; 6G mobile communication; terahertz communications; holographic communications; terahertz spectrum; visible-light communications 1. Introduction Wireless communication systems are the Eureka equivalents of our time given the rapid technological innovations in the last decades and symmetry technologies for the Internet of Things. To date, five (5) generations of mobile wireless cellular communications systems exist, with the recent generation being the fifth generation (5G) wireless network. A wireless cellular communication generation emerges approximately every 10 years since 1980, including the first generation analog FM cellular systems in 1981, the second generation in 1992, the third generation (3G) in 2001, and the fourth generation (4G) (often referred to as the long-term evolution [LTE]) in 2011 [1,2]. Figure1 presents a synopsis of the evolving wireless technologies. Generally, the last decade has witnessed a tremendous development in wireless communications which led to thriving data-hungry applications, Symmetry 2020, 12, 676; doi:10.3390/sym12040676 www.mdpi.com/journal/symmetry Symmetry 2020, 12, 676 2 of 21 Symmetry 2020, 12, x FOR PEER REVIEW 2 of 21 tremendous development in wireless communications which led to thriving data-hungry includingapplications, multimedia, including online multimedia, gaming, online and high-definitiongaming, and high-definition video streaming. video streaming. The boomingThe mobile Internetbooming technology mobile isInternet the catalysttechnology enabling is the catalyst and enabling propagating and propagating various various state-of-the-art state-of-the-art user-defined services,user-defined such as mobile services, shopping such as mobile and shopping payment, and payment, smart homes smart homes/cities,/cities, and and mobile mobile gaming gaming [1,3]. [1,3]. FigureFigure 1. Major 1. Major milestones milestones for for different different generations generations of communications of communications (1–6G). (1–6G). The standardization of 5G communications has been completed, and the system is being Thedeployed standardization worldwide. ofFigure 5G communications 2 shows the 5G commercial has been network completed, world andcoverage the systemmap (5G is field being deployed worldwide.testing/5G Figure trials/5G2 shows research). the 5G South commercial Korea was networkthe foremost world nation coverage to adopt map substantial (5G field 5G testing /5G trials/5Gdeployment research). on South a large Korea scale for was approximately the foremost 85 cities nation with to 86,000 adopt 5G substantialbase stations as 5G of deployment April 2019 on a large scale for[4]. approximately However, 85% of 85 the cities 5G base with stations 86,000 were 5G baselocated stations in six cities, as of including April 2019 Seoul, [4 ].Busan, However, and 85% of the Daegu, where a 3.5 GHz (sub-6) spectrum in distributed architecture with deployed data rate speed 5G basetested stations speeds were in the located range of in 193 six to cities, 430 Mbit/s including [5]. In general, Seoul, close Busan, to 65% and of the Daegu, world’s where population a 3.5 GHz (sub-6) spectrumare in estimated distributed to gain architecture access to 5G superfast with deployed 5G Internet data coverage rate speedby the end tested of 2025 speeds [6]. in the range of 193 to 430 Mbit/s [5G5]. networks In general, will closedeliver to an 65% extensive of the world’svariety of populationservices comprising are estimated enhanced to mobile gain access to 5G superfastbroadband 5G Internet (eMBB), coverage ultra-reliable by theand endlow-latency of 2025 communications [6]. (uRLLC), and massive machine type communications (mMTC); for detailed information about the vision, requirements, and core 5Gfeatures networks of 5G will wireless deliver cellular an extensivemobile communication variety of networks, services refer comprising to [2,7–9]. enhancedHowever, wireless mobile broadband (eMBB),data ultra-reliable traffic volume and and the low-latency magnitude of connected communications things are expected (uRLLC), to leap and to hundredfold massive machineof type communicationsequipment in (mMTC); a given cubic for meter. detailed Moreover, information data-hungry about apps the such vision, as sending requirements, holographic videos and core features of 5G wirelessneeds a spectrum cellular bandwidth mobile communication that is currently unav networks,ailable in refer the mm-wave to [2,7– 9spectrum.]. However, This situation wireless data traffic presents difficult challenges on an area or a spatial spectral efficiency and the needed frequency volume and the magnitude of connected things are expected to leap to hundredfold of equipment in a givenSymmetry cubic meter. 2020, 12, x; Moreover, doi: FOR PEER data-hungry REVIEW apps such as sending holographicwww.mdpi.com/journal/symmetry videos needs a spectrum bandwidth that is currently unavailable in the mm-wave spectrum. This situation presents difficult challenges on an area or a spatial spectral efficiency and the needed frequency spectrum bands for connectivity. Hence, a broader radio frequency spectrum bandwidth has become a necessity and can only be found at the sub-terahertz (THz) and THz bands. Moreover, the recent upsurge of diversified mobile applications, especially those supported by Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology, is spurring heated discussions on the future evolution of wireless communications [10]. These challenges have motivated industry and academia to start conceptualizing the next generation of wireless communication systems (6G) aimed at providing communication services for the future demands Symmetry 2020, 12, x FOR PEER REVIEW 3 of 21 spectrum bands for connectivity. Hence, a broader radio frequency spectrum bandwidth has become a necessity and can only be found at the sub-terahertz (THz) and THz bands. Moreover, the recent Symmetry 2020, 12, x FOR PEER REVIEW 3 of 21 upsurge of diversified mobile applications, especially those supported by Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology,spectrum isbands spurring for connectivity. heated di scussionsHence, a broade on ther radio future frequency evolution spectrum of wireless bandwidth communications has become [10]. SymmetryThesea necessity challenges2020, 12 ,and 676 have can only motivated be found industry at the sub-tera and academhertz (THz)ia to startand THz conceptualizing bands. 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