Abstract

A key enabler for the intelligent information society of 2030, 6G networks are expected to provide performance superior to 5G and satisfy emerging services and applications. In this article, we present our vision of what 6G will be and describe usage scenarios and requirements for multi-terabyte per second (Tb/s) and intelligent 6G networks. We present a large-dimensional and autonomous network architecture that integrates space, air, ground, and underwater networks to provide ubiquitous and unlimited wireless connectivity. We also discuss artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning [1], [2] for autonomous networks and innovative air-interface design. Finally, we identify several promising technologies for the 6G ecosystem, including terahertz (THz) communications, very-large-scale antenna arrays [i.e., supermassive (SM) multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO)], large intelligent surfaces (LISs) and holographic beamforming (HBF), orbital angular momentum (OAM) multiplexing, laser and visible-light communications (VLC), blockchain-based spectrum sharing, quantum communications and computing, molecular communications, and the Internet of Nano-Things.

Keywords

Computer scienceWirelessVisible light communicationKey (lock)Free-space optical communicationTelecommunicationsNetwork architectureBeamformingComputer networkOptical communicationEngineeringElectronic engineeringElectrical engineering

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Publication Info

Year
2019
Type
article
Volume
14
Issue
3
Pages
28-41
Citations
2260
Access
Closed

Social Impact

Social media, news, blog, policy document mentions

Citation Metrics

2260
OpenAlex
112
Influential
2013
CrossRef

Cite This

Zhengquan Zhang, Yue Xiao, Zheng Ma et al. (2019). 6G Wireless Networks: Vision, Requirements, Architecture, and Key Technologies. IEEE Vehicular Technology Magazine , 14 (3) , 28-41. https://doi.org/10.1109/mvt.2019.2921208

Identifiers

DOI
10.1109/mvt.2019.2921208

Data Quality

Data completeness: 81%