Survey on 6G Frontiers: Trends, Applications, Requirements, Technologies and Future Research

Abstract

Emerging applications such as Internet of Everything, Holographic Telepresence, collaborative robots, and space and deep-sea tourism are already highlighting the limitations of existing fifth-generation (5G) mobile networks. These limitations are in terms of data-rate, latency, reliability, availability, processing, connection density and global coverage, spanning over ground, underwater and space. The sixth-generation (6G) of mobile networks are expected to burgeon in the coming decade to address these limitations. The development of 6G vision, applications, technologies and standards has already become a popular research theme in academia and the industry. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive survey of the current developments towards 6G. We highlight the societal and technological trends that initiate the drive towards 6G. Emerging applications to realize the demands raised by 6G driving trends are discussed subsequently. We also elaborate the requirements that are necessary to realize the 6G applications. Then we present the key enabling technologies in detail. We also outline current research projects and activities including standardization efforts towards the development of 6G. Finally, we summarize lessons learned from state-of-the-art research and discuss technical challenges that would shed a new light on future research directions towards 6G.

Can Blockchain Strengthen the Energy Internet?

“…Realization of EI is also envisaged to be facilitated through the developments of beyond 5G and 6G communication networks through inherent features. These include DLT/blockchain, ultra-massive machine-type communication, extremely low-power communication, extremely reliable low-latency communication, AI and ML, big data management and distributed processing through edge intelligence [15][16][17][18][19][20].…”

“…The significance of inherent features of the blockchain, utilized towards realization of the next generation of smart grids in the identified directions, have been illustrated in Figure 2. Challenges pertaining to each identified direction and the role of blockchain utilization have been discussed, summarizing the future research directive in achieving fully autonomous and distributed electricity distribution networks [15]. Hence, this paper aims to present a clear insight of blockchain utilization for strengthening EI grids to deliver maximum benefits to all participating stakeholders.…”

“…The most widely adapted approach could be identified as cryptographic encryption-based digital signatures for user verification [37]. However, modern smart grids, which are to incorporate predictive data analytic tools for intelligent decision, are vulnerable to AI and ML-related attacks [15,16]. These adversaries would overlay the security threats governing Smart Grid 2.0, which would require accelerating the existing research initiatives.…”

“…Lessons: Elimination of energy theft through double auction and other mechanisms has been presented in the existing literature [12,15,51,56,62]. However, securing communication channels to offer a reliable electricity supply while addressing the challenges related to intermittent generation of DGs have research prospects for maximization of renewable energy utilization in Smart Grid 2.0 [12,37].…”

Intelligent Radio Signal Processing: A Survey

“…With the emergence of many advanced wireless technologies and massive connectivity, processing radio signals in an efficient and intelligent way presents both challenges and opportunities. Additionally, next-generation wireless systems are likely to rely not only on the sub-6 GHz, but also on the mmWave and THz frequency bands, and non-radio frequencies (RFs) such as the visible and optical bands [1], [2]. Furthermore, the use of massive multiple input and multiple output (massive MIMO) in fifth generation (5G) wireless systems and beyond demands sophisticated radio signal processing schemes.…”