one6G Working Groups

Terahertz frequencies

This Work Item will identify relevant scenarios and frequencies of interest for HF communication, based on the overall one6G use cases and scenarios defined by Working Group 1. Then, it will perform a survey on existing channel measurements and modeling in selected frequencies. Based on the result of scenario selection and the results of the capabilities of HF in supporting those scenarios, it will identify and perform initial investigation of the main design challenges for HF communication.

6G radio building blocks

The next-generation of networks will bring increased demand of data rates, higher frequency bands, increased density of mobile devices, enhanced requirements of security and extreme energy efficiency. This requires enhancing the widely used technologies such as waveform, modulation and coding, non-orthogonal multiple access, full-duplex, etc. to approach the theoretic limits, e.g., in terms of spectral and energy efficiency.

Intelligent user plane, in-network computing

The new 6G architecture featuring full integration “applications-computation-network” will be impacted by the introduction of IUP and INC in mobile networks. Network simplification and optimal/flexible utilization of data plane resources are potential benefits to be researched:

• Potential RAN-Core convergence for specific needs to be investigated
• 6G subnetworks as new paradigm extending the 5G concepts of SPPN and PNI-NPN
• 6G hybrid cloud (Flat Network) distribute private/edge/core/public cloud in one network

Next-generation MIMO

Next-generation multi-input multi-output (MIMO) is anticipated to become a key enabling technology for 6G. The Work Item analyzes the potential of promising new concepts like cell-free MIMO, intelligent reflecting surfaces (IRS), AI/ML-enabled distributed MIMO, as well as new trends and solutions in antenna technologies.

Integrated sensing and communication

• Integrating sensing in a communication waveform (i.e., OFDM)
• Optimized spectral allocation and suitable transmission parameters for the combined use of sensing parameter estimation and communications
• Investigation of communication systems with very large RF bandwidths (several GHz) for sensing but with low complexity (i.e., stepped or sparse OFDM)
• Integrating communication in a sensing waveform (i.e., FMCW)
• New waveforms for integrated communication and sensing, e.g., orthogonal time frequency space modulation (OTFS)
• Full duplex capability and dynamic range for monostatic arrangements and methods

Flexible programmable infrastructures

The scope of this Work Item is to lay out the foundations of scalable programmable infrastructures suitable for 6G that focuses on several aspects, such as:

• Holistic, unified view on resources as a distributed set of compute, network and terminal elements
• Resilient, flexible, and in-band control realized as a distributed system on one set of resources
• Support for inclusion of resources through their discovery and on-the-fly inclusion/declarative, more expressive network infrastructure programming approach

It is rooted in a number of requirements and expectations that 6G is sought to fulfill, such as, among others: the need to provide support for full service execution, rather than supporting just connectivity sessions between points in the network, and the need to integrate making of informed, runtime decisions (scheduling) as part of normal network operation, which would enable automation, efficient usage of resources and better service quality as seen by the end user.

6G non-terrestrial networks

Non-terrestrial networks (NTN) specify radio access networks where the access nodes (in particular base stations) are carried on airborne (drones, balloons, or aircrafts) or spaceborne platforms (satellites). The latest technology advances of NTN-based communication and its integration into terrestrial radio networks (TN) facilitate ubiquitous connectivity for nearly all types of services, which enables novel use cases with guaranteed service availability any time and everywhere. This Work Item aims to elaborate on these types of novel use cases and the related challenges, and investigate novel technologies toward the integration and convergence of NTN and TN.

Distributed/federated AI

In a distributed platform, e.g., in carrier networks, performing centralized learning is not optimal and often too costly due to data gathering overhead, considerable energy supply requirements at the centralized DC to be shouldered by the responsible tenant/owner, and privacy issues. In this Work Item, we study distributed techniques to enable learning over a pool of possibly heterogeneous resources (e.g., computing, connectivity, storage, data, and energy resources) distributed from the core to the deep edge. We will pay a special attention to the consideration of energy source nature of the resources to be used to achieve a preferential usage of renewable energy sources (such as local wind and solar energy) for compute-intensive AI computations, thus making the innate 6G AI greener and more sustainable.

Sustainability

This Work Item investigates novel approaches to energy consumption and carbon footprint reduction of ICT services in the era of next-generation mobile telecommunications (6G). It starts with understanding and describing the current ecosystem around energy consumption and CO2e production in the ICT industry. This includes applicable legislation, the requirements for energy consumption and CO2e reduction, currently available approaches to energy reduction, etc. In a later phase, this Work Item will come up with suggestions and concrete approaches to energy consumption/CO2e reduction. These may include, but will not be limited to, novel mechanisms to energy consumption metering, usage of the metered data to perform energy consumption minimization or reduction, methods to enable integration and explicit usage of green energy sources, etc. Economic approaches to energy consumption reduction, e.g., through providing incentives for energy-aware service usage, may also be considered.

Multi modal communication

Multi modal (including haptic) communication services enriches interactions in various vertical use cases, such as industrial remote operations. The user in controller domain utilizes the controlled devices (actuators e.g., robotic arm) for performing operations remotely. Thus, the resulting bi-directional multi modal communication poses extreme and/or conflicting stringent requirements on the underlying communication, such as ultra-low latency and ultra-high reliability, availability and security.

The scope of this Work Item is to lay out the foundations of multimodal communication for 6G remote operation and investigates related aspects such as:

• Tactile and multi modal communication use cases for remote operation over 6G, including multi-user, multi-device applications and their requirements, and performance indicators,
• 6G functionalities required to support multi modal sensing, interaction & action based on use case requirements and device multi modal technologies and capabilities,
• AI/ML solutions towards meeting the main KPIs of multi modal communications,
• Architecture impacts featuring full integration sensing-computation-communication-actuation.

This Work Item will also monitor the related standardization ecosystems, such as IEEE 19181.1 (Tactile Internet), 3GPP Metaverse, ITU-T MV-FG, IEC TC100 to interact and provide interoperable solutions.

Next generation multiple access (NGMA)

This Work Item investigates MA (multiple access) techniques for wireless networks, namely next-generation multiple access (NGMA), from a theoretical standpoint, aiming to establish a foundation for future networks. The investigation will encompass both traditional orthogonal MA (OMA) schemes and potential non-orthogonal MA (NOMA) and its variants, including hybrid NOMA. The main goal of WI215 is exploring the evolution of MA technologies for satisfying the stringent challenges in next generation wireless networks. This goal shall be pursued via the following activities:

• Investigation of the potential performance gains NGMA may bring to mobile networks, compared to 5G; understanding the fundamental communication performance bounds;
• Investigation of benefits in terms of network optimisation, focusing on the beamforming design for general and scenario-adaptive NGMA communications;
• Investigation of Pareto-optimal resource allocation design to meet multiple performance objectives in NGMA communications for 6G systems;
• Establishing a theoretical foundation and unified framework for the deployment of NGMA in future works pertaining to next-generation technologies.

6G-empowered robotics

There is an escalating demand for robotic applications in areas such as logistics, automation, healthcare assistance and operation. Wireless sensing, communication, computational, and automation abilities in robotic systems are essential for greater reliability, capability, and operational efficiency. Networked robots have their root in teleoperation systems, which started as remotely controlled devices. Teleoperation attracted significant industrial interest particularly due to the pandemic to prevent physical contact between the expert and the workers in the factory, so that the expert has to work from (e.g., remote inspection, remote certification, remote maintenance, or remote repair). The main goal of this Work Item is to investigate robotic related features that will appear in 6G, and define the cornerstones of 6G architecture that support the mentioned robotics applications.

Cooperative, connected, and automated mobility

Cooperative, Connected, and Automated Mobility (CCAM) introduces a paradigm shift in transportation. It embodies the integration of state-of-the-art communication technologies and automated driving functionalities to improve transportation system efficiency and provide a safer, more convenient mobility. By utilizing wireless communications among vehicles, infrastructure, and Vulnerable Road Users (VRUs), CCAM aims to enhance transportation systems through increased safety, efficiency, and environmental sustainability. This Work Item will identify and investigate technologies needed to enable the new CCAM use cases.

Immersive communication

The primary objective of this Work Item is to thoroughly investigate the transformative potential of high-resolution sensing, precise localization, advanced imaging techniques, and complex environmental reconstruction methodologies within the context of 6G systems. Our overarching aim is to advance the evolution of 6G systems towards the realization of a comprehensive immersive communication paradigm. This pursuit is grounded in the seamless integration of Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) capabilities, accompanied by native AI integration and dynamic computing-network orchestration within the network architecture. Leveraging empirical observations and methodological insights gleaned from the deployment of conventional mechanisms within 5G frameworks, our goal is to distil essential insights and lessons to guide our approach.