AI /ML techniques, especially deep learning, has rapidly advanced over the last decade, and it has already been deployed across several domains involving image classification and computer vision, ranging from social networks to security.
5G will unleash the true potential of these technologies, and with the approaches in 5G-Advanced, AI/ML will be introduced to many parts of the network at many layers and in many functions
In 6G, Nokia Bell Labs expects AI/ML will go from an enhancement to a foundation by taking a clean slate approach, where we do away with the complexity, and let AI/ML figure out how to best communicate between two endpoints.
2.Spectrum bands:
Spectrum is a crucial element in providing radio connectivity.
Every new mobile generation requires some new pioneer spectrum that helps fully exploit the benefits of a new technology.
The new pioneer spectrum blocks for 6G are expected to be at mid-bands 7 – 20 GHz for urban outdoor cells enabling higher capacity through extreme MIMO, low bands 460 – 694 MHz for extreme coverage and sub-THz for peak data rates exceeding 100 Gbps.
3. A network that can sense:
The most notable aspect of 6G would be its ability to sense the environment, people and objects.
The network becomes a source of situational information, gathering signals that are bouncing off objects and determining type and shape, relative location, velocity and perhaps even material properties.
Combining all this sensing information with AI/ML will provide new insights from the physical world, making the network more cognitive.
4.Extreme connectivity:
The Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communication (URLLC) service that began with 5G will be refined and improved in 6G to cater to extreme connectivity requirements, including sub-millisecond latency.
5.New network architectures:
5G is the first system designed to operate in the enterprise/industrial environment, replacing wired connectivity.
As the demand and strain on the network rises, industries will require even more advanced architectures that can support increased flexibility and specialization.
6.Security and trust:
Networks of all types are increasingly becoming targets of cyber-attacks. The dynamic nature of the threats makes it imperative to deploy sturdy security mechanisms.
6G networks will be designed to protect against threats like jamming. Privacy issues will need to be considered when new mixed-reality worlds combining digital representations of real and virtual objects are created.