This article has been accepted for publication in a future issue of this journal, but has not been

fully edited. Content may change prior to final publication. Citation information: DOI
10.1109/ACCESS.2021.3054833, IEEE Access

Date of publication xxxx 00, 2020, date of current version xxxx 00, 2020.
Digital Object Identifier 10.1109/ACCESS. 2020.Doi Number

6G Ecosystem: Current Status and Future

Perspective
Jagadeesha R Bhat1, (Member, IEEE), and Salman A. AlQahtani2 , (Member, IEEE)
1
St. Joseph Engineering College, Mangalore, KA, India.
2
Research Chair of Pervasive and Mobile Computing; King Saud University, Riyadh 11543, Saudi Arabia

Corresponding author: Salman A. AlQahtani (e-mail: [email protected]).

This work is financially supported by the Deanship of Scientific Research, Research Chair of Pervasive and Mobile Computing, King Saud
University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

ABSTRACT Next-generation of the cellular network will attempt to overcome the limitations of the
current Fifth Generation (5G) networks and equip itself to address the challenges which become obvious in
the future. Currently, academia and industry have focused their attention on the Sixth Generation (6G)
network, which is anticipated to be the next big game-changer in the telecom industry. The outbreak of
COVID’19 has made the whole world to opt for virtual meetings, live video interactions ranging from
healthcare, business to education. However, we miss an immersive experience due to the lack of supporting
technology. Experts have anticipated that starting from the post-pandemic age, the performance
requirements of technology for virtual and real-time communication, the rise of several verticals such as
industrial automation, robotics, and autonomous driving will increase tremendously, and will skyrocket
during the next decade. In this manuscript, we study the latest perspectives and future megatrends that are
most likely to drive 6G. Initially, we describe the instances that lead us to the vision of 6G. Later, we
narrate some of the use cases and the KPIs essential to meet their performance requirement. Further, we
highlight the key requirements of 6G based on contemporary research such as UN sustainability goals,
business model, edge intelligence, digital divide, and the trends in machine learning for 6G.

INDEX TERMS 6G, Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing, Sustainability Goals, Digital Divide,
Healthcare, Machine learning, Tera Hertz Communication, Cellular Network, 6G Architecture.

I. INTRODUCTION It is envisioned that by 2030, there will be 97 billion

Recently after the launch of Fifth Generation (5G) machine type devices, resulting in an astonishing increase
mobile networks, several data-intensive applications and in the global mobile generated data traffic to 5.016 Zeta
verticals which require specific network parameters have Bytes (ZB) per month from 0.062 ZB as in 2020 [2].
undergone a deep sense of relief due to the availability of Further, a survey has anticipated that by 2030, the number
high data rate, bandwidth, and reliability. In 2020, the 5G of people living in 43 megacities across the globe will
deployments by different network providers either as Non- increase to 10 million [19]. Consequently, information
Stand-Alone (NSA), or as Stand-Alone (SA), will address communication technologies (ICT) should be agile and
the need for mobile internet by high data rate (e.g., robust with respect to the massive data generated by the
enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB)), ultra-reliable low mobile devices due to urbanization and from smart city
latency (uRLLC), and connectivity between massively ecosystems such as smart transportation, smart healthcare,
dense deployment of smart devices (e.g., massive Machine and smart buildings. Moreover, the data generated will be
Type Communication (mMTC)) [1]. Further, 5G networks fueled by the emerging applications in the area of Artificial
can reduce the network scale-up time drastically due to its Intelligence (AI), Robotics, Industry 4.0, and Internet of
virtualized core. Consequently, the cost reduces. All these Everything (IoE) to name but a few, that generates a
features have made 5G networks predominantly different colossal amount of data. In such a context, cellular network
from its predecessors in terms of network capacity, and infrastructure will be one of the key drivers to support
range of applications it would support [1].

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extreme data rate, high bandwidth, and quality of service other arrows at the intersection (uHRS), (uHRUx) of
(QoS) for these verticals [3-4]. multiple use cases are shown.
Let us consider a few future internet applications such as Currently, 5G network is yet to be fully deployed
self-driving cars with simultaneous communication worldwide; as a result, its real-time performance on every
capability. In such a case, each communication link use case is not well studied. Nevertheless, when we see the
demands extreme network parameters, for instance, evolution of the telecom industry, it is evident from the
connectivity with a delivery drone to assist in the delivery keen observation that each generation took a decade from
of emergency medical facilities that requires extremely low setting a vision, R&D, standardization to market launch.
latency (<1ms), on the other hand, with the roadside Expecting the same trend, the next generation (i.e., 6G)
infrastructure (V2X) that requires high reliability shall be made realizable for customers’ use around 2030. At
(~99.9999999%) to prevent accidents [48]. Similarly, this juncture, academia and industry may only have the
remote robotic surgery in a smart hospital, remote visionary groundwork regarding 6G networks, as it is too
holographic image transmission of a live public concert, early to realize the full potential of it. Motivated by the
data communication from ultra-high dense IoT (uHDIoT) current research on 6G networks and its technological
and wearable devices, haptic online games, and haptic components, in this manuscript, we will discuss various
meetings are some other scenarios. In 2030, these use cases aspects of future networks. Several kinds of literature have
will be the key thrust areas which require a high degree of shed light on vision, requirements [1-9], technologies [10-
automation and intelligence to address diversified 15], use cases [96-98], of 6G networks. In this paper, we
requirements [5-8]. To address these requirements, we need outline the key points from the previous research and
data rate up to 1 Tbps, ultra-high reliability of 10-9and ultra- provide insight into the future research trends in 6G
low latency of 0.1 ms or less [2-4]. It is evident from the networks.
above facts that 5G telecom networks will drastically fail to
meet the said requirements, as 5G’s capacity is relatively
lower and unified [8]. As a result, there is a definite need
for a next-generation system that support new services, and
technologies while maintaining backward compatibility.
Altogether, the new technology components and
architecture for beyond 5G (B5G) networks is necessary to
address a plethora of user applications [3-9].
Several experts have articulated the speculated features
of Sixth Generation (6G) networks which are considered to
be the successor of 5G networks [1-9]. As expected, 6G
network shall overcome the major limitations of the
predecessor networks; alongside, it will further extend the
three key features of the 5G network. In Fig. 1(a), the FIGURE 1. A comparison of 5G and 6G using support for verticals (a) 5G
intersection of these factors (classes of use cases) is shown. and (b) 6G.
Certain scenarios may require multiple use cases to be met
simultaneously (uRLLC and mMTC) as shown in Fig 1. (a) The main contributions of this manuscript are as follows:
with intersecting circles. Specifically, 6G network will (i) First, we discuss the expected key features of future
further enhance Ultra-Mobile Broadband (feUMBB), ultra- networks to give a direction to the research
High Sensing Low Latency Communications (uHSLLC), community.
ultra-High Density Data (uHDD) services, ultra-High (ii) We highlight most of the KPIs for 6G networks as
Energy Efficiency (uHEE), ultra-High Reliability and applicable to different use cases (Table 1) and we
Sensing (uHRS), ultra-High Reliability and User experience provide an outline of the 6G ecosystem by considering
(uHRUx), ultra-Low Latency Reliability and Secure all the stakeholders.
(uLLRS), ultra-High Security (uHS), ultra-High Sensing (iii) We provide an exhaustive categorized survey of
and Localization (uHSLo) and several other combinations exclusive literature on 6G and discuss their research
of these Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and use cases directions (Table 2).
[9-10]. Refer Fig. 1(b), for an exemplary use case of 6G for (iv) Unlike the existing literature, we discuss various
different verticals. As shown in the figure, certain verticals architectures for 6G networks from the literature.
require a combination of use cases which is indicated by the Moreover, we proposed network architecture for 6G
blue arrow at the intersection. For instance, distance robotic with a layer-wise approach for simplicity; and
surgery will require low latency (uRLLC) and high security improved latency, reliability through AI-enabled
of the data (uHS). This interdependency between multiple distributed cloud features.
use cases is shown as uLLRS (low latency, reliability, and (v) Further, we summarize the future megatrends in 6G
security) by an arrow in Fig 1(b). In the similar way, the networks, namely, UN Sustainable Development
Goals, Digital divide, Edge intelligence and Machine
learning, and Business models.

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The remaining part of the manuscript is organized as Furthermore, user applications do not have direct control
follows: in terms of latency, security, congestion, and reliability,
Section II illustrates the scope of the future networks, KPIs, leading to poor user experience. Similarly, a state of
and use cases of 6G networks. In section III, we classify the unpreparedness exists to launch holographic data that
recent literatures, and highlight their contributions to the requires several Gbps to Tbps data rate with extremely low
research community. Section IV discusses various latency and ability to connect to millions of users in real-
technology components of 6G networks and their main time. The time difference between the occurrence of events
features. Furthermore, section V presents the architectures and generation of response should be minimal which is
of 6G networks, while section VI provides the future trends lacking in the existing cellular networks. For instance, in a
in 6G networks. In section VII, the global research remote robotic surgery sending a command to control the
initiatives are highlighted, and section VIII narrates the robotic limbs and the video transmissions of the surgery
open research areas for future exploration. Finally, section must have a time precision (latency) of a fraction of
IX concludes this paper. milliseconds. Again, sparse infrastructure and interfaces for
all-round network connectivity for a packet to traverse
II. SCOPE OF FUTURE NETWORKS when we consider air, underwater, and terrestrial
The study of future networks enables us to equip communication. Further, intelligence has been merely
ourselves with necessary facilities for the industry considered at the network edge (as in 5G), but we lack
verticals required during 2030. The in-depth analysis of intelligence at individual layers of network or when
the current mobile networks reveals the existence of a network elements are distributed.
large gap between user application’s expectations and Recommendations for future networks: We recommend the
services offered by the network providers [38]. For following key point for the future networks:
example, user expectations on immersive multimedia, (i) End-to-End connectivity: Future networks shall provide
personalized holograms, multi-sense haptic service, etc. sufficient assistance such as virtualization, intelligent
remain as a gap which the current networks shall not decision, network automation, and slicing to applications in
support [12]. Further, technology components including order to make them attain reliability, security, network
hardware, software and overall ecosystem (devices, capacity along with guaranteed and timely delivery from
the origin to the destination. Therefore, a holistic approach
spectrum and standards, security, data management
toward full end-to-end connectivity and integrity of data
algorithms, cloud-based core and access solutions, and
transfer is necessary to make the future applications a
applications) need tremendous upgrade [19-23, 28]. reality [23,38,49].
(ii) Interoperability: The network will interoperate between
A. TRANSITION FROM 5G TO 6G: GAPS AND heterogeneous, small/ large, and private/ public networks
RECOMMENDATIONS
where each mobile node will have multiple radio interfaces
Implementation of 5G has escalated in most of the mega-
to provide all-round connectivity.
cities worldwide due to 5G’s ability to support current
(iii) Compatibility: It should allow new protocols, network
industrial use cases. Albeit, there would emerge several use
architectures, nodes, and services to coexist with the
cases, societal requirements, and technological evolution in
existing technologies. The data transfer protocol must be
the future requiring exploration beyond the abilities of 5G.
agile to send packets over different network interfaces with
Currently, terrestrial communication is one of the key
the vision of end-to-end realization of services.
requirements in 5G networks; however, it would extend in
(iv) Dedicated timely service: There should be autonomous
6G networks, say from terrestrial to underwater and aerial
services such as Industry 4.0, autonomous driving, and
in several folds of 5G’s capacity [12-14]. This degree of
robotic surgery to improve the service quality and scale up
freedom in all-round connectivity will encourage the rise of
the production, time plays a critical role. Therefore, the
several verticals such as flying cars, ultra-real human-
network must have exclusive support for time-critical
computer interactions, holographic telepresence, and
services [22-24].
underwater recreation having challenging constraints. To
(v) Edge computing capability: To reduce the delay during
address the demands of these verticals such as 3D
media-rich services and provide local services efficiently at
connectivity, multi-dimensional video (~16K resolution)
a closer location to the user devices, the data from the user
[46], extremely high data rate (Tbps) and bandwidth
will be processed at the edge instead of only at the cloud.
(~10GHz) [9], and so on, the communication networks
This increases reliability, scalability, and privacy [42,97].
must be much more intelligent than now. Also, the existing
(vi) Intelligent network: Starting from the physical layer to
internet cannot support these requirements. Therefore, a
the applications, the AI will be predominant and distributed
new KPIs will be necessary to handle the use cases with
across different network entities such as core, access
integrated performance requirements. For instance, real-
network, and terminal users. Thus, 6G will transit from
time remote robotic surgery will need simultaneous ultra-
smart network (as in 5G) to an intelligent network [36,81].
low latency, massive data rate, and security to work
(vii) Ultra-smart devices: The existing hand-held smart-
effectively [17-18].
phones will become obsolete and they will be replaced by

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either smart glasses that would deliver ubiquitous XR B. 6G ECOSYSTEM

experiences or the phone functions that will integrate a The 6G ecosystem consists of all stakeholders ranging from
smart wearable device/ smart patch offering high an equipment manufacturer to application developer. A
resolution, and holographic experiences [19]. We also brief diagram of the 6G ecosystem has been presented in
envision that the features of the phone will be found in a Fig. 2. The 6G chipset manufacturers will deal with the
distributed connected intelligent device. Thus, alleviating design of new hardware and electronic components such as
the need for a hand-held dedicated device. radio, modulator to accommodate new technology. Next,
(viii) Cell-free networking: The mobile device shall connect the mobile manufacturers and network equipment vendors
to the radio access network seamlessly without depending (radio access network installer) will base their products to
on a specific type of access point to provide infinite support the underlying technology from the chipset
mobility and QoS [31]. The network should be flexible manufacturers. Next, all these technologies will assist the
enough to allow devices to connect through a range of mobile network operators to launch their mobile services to
access networks such as THz, mm-wave, and visual light users. Moreover, the edge devices at the boundary of radio
communication (VLC). In addition, a user may get served access and the core network, cloud servers, data centers,
by multiple antennas mounted on various base stations software modules such as core network virtualization, slice
without the restriction of cell boundaries; thus, reducing the providers, content delivers, will exchange data and services
inter cell interferences [28,40]. with the application developers. Since 6G will be centered
(ix) Support diverse media: Even if 5G supports diverse around the users, the mobile devices, network operators,
multimedia such as text, image, video, voice, augmented and other service providers of the network shall also
reality, and multi-dimensional holograms, in 6G the revolve around the users. The discrete arrows indicate that
applications would demand the multimedia at lowest the mobile users (or IoT devices that need service) will
latency, precise location, high data rate, etc., which requires directly be supported by the network provider, device
much improved KPIs than 5G [106]. manufacturer, and applications. However, all the remaining
(x) Amalgamated sensing, communication, and positioning: components of the ecosystem will coordinate the services.
Some verticals need a combination of ultra-high-speed, Such coordination, and interdependency/ interplay between
ultra-low latency, exact positioning, along with precise each component of the ecosystem is shown by the bold
sensing of the surroundings all being met together. To arrows.
realize such requirements, future networks shall provide Further, as shown in Fig. 2, security, and intelligence will
resources, energy, hardware, and computational support be pivotal in the 6G ecosystem. The security, and AI as
[108]. shown, shall be a part of every component such as at the
(xi) Multi-level architecture: The storage, communication, device level, at the mobile operator, user, software, edge or
and computing should be distributed at the user, edge, and cloud level, and at the applications.
cloud levels, which will operate as a centralized or as a
distributed model to support scalability [108,114].

FIGURE 2. 6G Ecosystem.

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to 10 million/ sq.km, and (vii) high security with precise

location information ranging from 10cm to 1cm [39,53,55].

C. VISION AND KPIs OF 6G

Vision and quest for 6G network: After discussing the
technology gaps and recommendations for 6G networks, we TABLE I
highlight the crux of the vision and the need for 6G LIST OF KPI FOR 6G AND TYPICAL VALUES [46][48][96][118]
KPI Category KPI Values Use cases
networks. There are several reasons we put forward, which Peak data rate 1Tbps: DL/ UL uMBB
necessitate the need for 6G networks. Use experienced data rate: uRLLC
First, considering the broad scope of United Nation’s 10 Gbps/m3,
Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030, there Frequency Spectrum 4G, 5G (mm wave), THz, uMBB
VLC
is need for several essential technologies that will satisfy
Traffic Capacity 1–10Gbps/m3 uMBB, uMTC
the objectives, communication challenges, and new Network density Devices: 10000000 /km2 uMTC
application requirements of the SDGs [44]. Second, 5G Traffic density 100Tbps/km2 uMTC
network has matured enough to address the performance Data Generation 5 ZB/month, uMTC, uMBB
requirements of the existing verticals. However, when these Data per device: 5GB/day.
Connectivity 3D connectivity uMTC, uRLLC
verticals or market demands grow to the next level, say
Energy efficiency Nominal ~High, 1 pJ/b uHEE
Industry 5.0, Society 5.0, Transport 4.0, and many more Peak Spectral (100bps/Hz/m3), 60b/s/Hz uMTC
that are human-centric, ubiquitous, fully automated, and Efficiency
driven by AI, will demand specialized resources which Localization, Sensing <1cm- 10cm [3D], uRLLC, uHSLo
burden 5G networks [19]. Third, considering the business ~1 degree
Capacity per gNB 1Gbps~1Tbps/ m2 [46] uMTC
models for 2030 and beyond, the technologies like
Availability 100% uRLLC
telepresence, holographic and haptic communications, Battery Life 20 Years uHEE
Brain-Computer Interface (BCI), 4D imaging, Extended Mobility Interruption 0 ms Always
Reality (ER), and Internet of Everything (IoE) will drive Time available
the telecommunication industry [39]. The requirements of Mobility 240km/hr~(1200km/hr) Mobility
Processing delay 10ns uRLLC
the aforementioned industries and applications cannot be
Bandwidth At least 100MHz (at 3GHz), uMBB
met by 5G networks. Thus, leading to the contemplation of 30GHz (at 300GHz), and
6G networks as an ultimate ecosystem of communication 300GHz ~1THz (at 3THz–
technology solutions [34-37]. It should be noted that the 6G 750 THz VLC band)
network is not just about exploring new frequency bands, Latency 1 ms~ 100us eURLLC [46]
Latency * Control plane (<1 ms), eURLLC
architecture, and access schemes to support high data rates. User plane (<0.1 ms)
Even though 5G network covers the requirements of Link Budget +10dB~+40Db mMTC Industry
future networks to a minimum extent, the 6G network must Jitter 1us~100us eURLLC
comply with the requirements such as extreme reliability, Security Nominal~ High Smart Health,
real-time ultra-low latency, and massive connectivity, uHS
Coverage 1 m~50Km mMTC,
simultaneously. The authors in [9] have categorized the 6G Smart Farm
vision as four types, namely, intelligent, ubiquitous, deep, Trust High Smart farm,
and holographic connectivity. In general, we suggest that as eLearning
an ecosystem, 6G networks must envision to support the Privacy Nominal ~ High EBanking
Reliability (99.99999% ~ Eurllc
new application requirements of industry and society,
99.99999999%,
especially with regards to the following seven metrics Synchronicity <100ns Eurllc
during 2030. Satellite link Exists uMTC, long
(i) Data rate: This is the ability to provide quality service range
for verticals ranging from autonomous high precision Slices Count 10000 slices/ operator Support
verticals
industry to immersive virtual/mixed reality applications, (ii)
TABLE 1 shows the KPIs that mandate the various verticals
Latency: This is the time-sensitive data delivery, (iii) Super
Coverage: It means a three-dimensionally covering and use cases that will be supported by 6G.
infrastructure that encompasses aerial, terrestrial, and
underwater connectivity, (iv) Sense of Feel: This involves
the support for holographic personal communication to D. USE CASES OF 6G NETWORKS
tactile internet applications, (v) Extremely low power Let’s look at some of the prime use cases of 6G networks
consumption: This stands for mobile devices that operate along with the KPI requirements, as shown in Fig 3. These
for a long time without requiring to charge, (vi) high use cases will require a combination of KPIs
network density: It means connecting of devices ranging up simultaneously to deliver their services. Hence, they are
challenging. The following scenarios will be more realistic
in 2030.

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1.Ultra smart cities: 5G networks will provide the user and such as online games based on Augmented Reality (AR) or
application-specific QoS and quality of experience (QoE) Virtual Reality (VR), generates a massive amount of data.
through many verticals. For instance, telemedicine, smart We would soon witness 3D games or multi-dimensional
agriculture, and smart industry can get the data service at video that interacts with all the five sense organs of the
specific data rate, latency, or priority. However, when we body to create an illusion of real-world by combining VR
contemplate the future scenarios in an ultra-smart city, that and AR to render a true virtual gaming experience. These
may require, for example, a data rate of the order 1Tbps, applications will be tangible within a decade as the
3D connectivity, localization within 1cm, and reliability of computer technology, computing power, and storage space
99.99999999% for automated transportation, smart of the mobile devices multifold in their capacity.
healthcare, or smart industry [46]. The KPIs needed for Nevertheless, when these augmented data to be transmitted
these applications in a smart city cannot be addressed by through a wireless channel, we need extreme bandwidth,
5G networks [48,108]. We shall consider a few more reliability, and data rate that 6G networks will offer. In
examples to visualize the scenarios. The mobility support other words, we need ultra-high reliability, low latency,
requirements of 6G will typically vary from 240km/hr to ultra-high data density, and user experience, as shown in
1200km/hr. A self-driving car needs to communicate with Fig. 3.
roadside sensors and other vehicles in the adjacent lanes to 3. Haptic communication: Let us consider a smart
coordinate while moving at high speeds. Furthermore, the healthcare system where an injured patient can only express
delivery drones on the fly may need to communicate with her emotions by visualizing in her mind. In that situation, a
the ambulance on the ground to collect the medical supplies smart headband can reconstruct the brain signals and
in the urban setting and transport it to remote locations. represent it as a 3D video of the patient’s imagination and
communicate to the caregiver in real-time through mobile
networks. In addition, a group of people who do not have a
common language to communicate can use their
imaginations, and disabled people get access to open the
door, or to control the gadgets can use haptic
communication. These haptic ways of communication will
enable them to express the information by the sense of
touch. It is one of the expected use cases of 6G networks,
where the network supports high data rate which is much
greater than 5G could support. The other scenarios of
haptic communication include the brain-controlled
computer interactions where people interact with their
surroundings through haptics and control the environment
through digital gadgets such as brain-embedded wireless
chip that respond to human emotions [5,105].

4. Remote surgeries and telemedicine: 5G networks can

provide ultra-low latency of nearly 1 ms to critical
applications. However, remote surgeries are extremely
sensitive, with a latency requirement of much less than 1
FIGURE 3. Use cases of 6G ms (nearly 0.1ms) [149]. The remote robotic surgeries will
require ultra-high precision and reliability of the data, high
In another instance, drones may have to follow the cars to data rate to exchange data, and control signals between two
act as floating base stations or as relays to communicate the remote health care facilities through the mobile network.
information as a part of inter-vehicular communication. It is The emergence of 6G networks will be a game-changer
worthy to note that the two scenarios involve radio when telemedicine and remote healthcare will be taken into
communication between multiple entities under high account by diminishing the space and time constraints [31].
mobility (say 500 km/hr). The 6G networks should support Since 6G’s vision is to provide at least 99.99999% data
extremely low latency communication in the above reliability and a 1 Tbps data rate, it will be the most suitable
scenarios, which is one of the key requirements of candidate to meet the above requirements. The main
autonomous driving and decision making. These examples concern in the case of remote surgeries is the latency
cover a few scenarios of future smart city and their requirements. The 6G should target both minimum and
communication requirements. But in general, high energy maximum latency requirements, unlike the previous
efficiency, high data rate, reliability, latency, precise generation networks. That is because, during the remote
sensing, and localization are essential for a smart city, as surgery, some aspects of the transmitted data must arrive at
shown in Fig 3. the destination within a specified maximum latency,
2.Multi-dimensional Reality: Human-computer interactions whereas some events should follow minimum arrival
that deal with the ultra-high-definition graphical contents

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latency. These minimum and maximum latencies together while transmitting an advertisement of a particular type of
will render coherent data at the receiver, which is the key food, its smell, texture, and taste shall be transmitted
requisite for remote surgery [31]. together with the help of advanced sensor technology and
5. Holographic communication: With the maturity of Apps to give a real feeling of the food. The 6G network will
AR/VR applications, we will soon realize that the virtual serve the need of these verticals due to its ultra-high data
experience is not serving us all the aspects of reality, and rate and low latency [18,75,88].
we need more. Recently, due to the outbreak of COVID’19 In summary, when we consider holographic tactile
pandemics, virtual presence (telepresence) has gained high internet communication, different aspects of the hologram
prominence over real physical meetings. This kind of task in the case of remote transmission may require varying
requires advanced VR techniques, bandwidth, and amount of latencies (the minimum and maximum latency
computations to project an object or a person in real-time requirements), reliability, and user experience which need
remotely. As a future trend, each mobile phone will be to meet by 6G networks to render a synchronized
equipped with more than five ultra- high definition cameras immersive effect to the human senses.
to capture an event and render multiple dimensional videos
that give an immersive experience of the event being III. LITERATURE REVIEW
captured to all the human senses. In other words, a video In this section, we will review the most recent literature
may be a multi-dimensional real-time projection with the that motivated our research. First, we categorize the
audio-visual effect of the person or object being telecasted publications based on the topic of research, and later, we
in a virtual meeting. For instance, videos of 16 K present their contributions. Altogether, we have considered
resolution, 240 Hz scanning rate, and spherical coverage 158 recent articles, specifically on 6G networks and its
(3600) need to be transmitted as a hologram for a fully components. For easy reference, we have listed them
immersive VR experience [46,115-117]. To transmit these categorically in Table 2.
videos or holograms that require several Gbps data rates, 6G vision, technology, prospectus, and challenges: First,
the existing 5G’s KPIs such as data date, bandwidth, and the vision statement of the 6G networks, as defined by all
reliability becomes insignificant [12,39]. These researchers, pointed out that 6G networks will be a
transmissions involve a large volume of data. Besides, the breakthrough in transforming the smart cellular network
angle of projection, response time are critical as well. For into an intelligent network. These studies have anticipated
instance, if the audio or video response from the site of the emergence of 6G networks by 2030 and have listed
holographic projection has to be sent back to the source, several interesting technologies, applications, and use cases
then a precise and well-coordinated synchronization that will benefit from the 6G networks [1-5,9,19,31]. The
between the source and destination with respect to different technologies such as AI, Intelligent surface, holographic
layers of the image is essential. In another instance, radio, blockchain, three-dimensional connectivity, cell-less
consider a public concert where a remote artist can be architecture, quantum computing, and wireless power
rendered as a holographic presence (virtual presence) to transfer will revolutionize future networks [19,28,31,43].
entertain people from his local existence. Similarly, remote Furthermore, the authors elaborated on the targets and
and hard to reach areas such as mines and deep ocean features necessary to meet the requirements of the use
terminals will benefit from holographic applications where cases. In general, most of the technology components of 6G
excavation activities and workforce training can be networks are in the infancy stage. Therefore, there will be
undertaken through holographic communication. several challenges, such as training the AI models, security
issues, lack of architecture, signal modeling, and
6. Tactile internet: In 6G networks, connectivity between computational facilities [96-98]. In addition, the authors
various devices will be highly interactive in real-time have proposed several KPIs for future networks, compared
(responsive), including the transfer of data, control, and them with 5G networks, and listed several technology gaps
feedback in real-time with a sense of touch [71]. Here one in the inception of 6G networks [35,39-40,107].
could transmit touch, feelings (sense), along with the Next, we review photonics and VLC. We noticed that
information to give a live experience of the things virtually VLC and photonics will be the primary components of 6G’s
related to the information being communicated. To be terra hertz communication [10]. Consequently, authors in
specific, tactile internetworking involves a feeling of touch [12,17] have drawn a roadmap to VLC for its inception in
or taste along with an audio, video, or other forms of 6G networks. Another key aspect of 6G network will be the
responses [9]. For instance, training the astronauts on space AI and edge intelligence. AI will be used by 6G networks at
facilities, accessing underwater vessels/containers, and all levels starting from the PHY for channel selection,
remote surgeries with the help of virtualized holographic MAC for achieving power efficiency, and at the application
models requires even a sense of touch to execute remote level for context awareness [13,42,47]. Moreover, AI will
training and perform repairs with ultra-low latency. spread across various network entities in 6G ecosystem,
Furthermore, the transmission of smell and taste to enhance such as the sensing, edge, and cloud devices, in a
users’ experience will be a major target of food industry to distributed way to manage the small data generated locally
digitize users’ experience of food access. As an example, and big data to be processed centrally to minimize the
latency to the minimal level [36,60-61,72]. In addition, the

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authors at [13,34,42] have discussed various ML algorithms 6G networks. The other category in our review is an
that would benefit from the 6G networks at the various interesting technology component, i.e., quantum
operational levels of the network. During 2030 and later, communication (QC). In [71], the authors detailed a state of
6G networks will open doors for several verticals and the art work on QC for 6G networks, including the scope of
markets due to its performance metrics. These business machine learning in QC.
models for selected verticals have been discussed in [16,23- Furthermore, we have discussed, all the architectures and
24,50]. their key features, the issues involved with the digital
Another technology component of 6G networks that will divide, and rural connectivity, the scope of business models
revolutionize wireless communication will be and THz communication, cell-less architecture, ecosystem
reconfigurable intelligent surfaces building using meta- and its components, etc.
materials or smart objects [29]. These surfaces will Please see Table 2, for a detailed discussion on the
essentially direct the data toward the destination using their various literature on different categories of 6G technology,
electromagnetic reflection property to achieve high-quality and their contributions.
reception without any external power sources [59,70].
Similarly, another category is machine type communication
and ultra-dense IoT networks.
The authors in [7] have exclusively discussed the
machine type communication and its components for the
TABLE 2
LIST OF LITERATURES ON 6G AND THEIR KEY CONTRIBUTIONS.

Reference Category Research Direction and contribution

[1,39]  A state-of-the-art from the First Generation networks to 5G networks is discussed. Further, the
[98,108,112,124- article narrates the need of 6G, compare them with 5G network and predecessor technologies,
125,149,151,157] and its vision from the user and service classes’ perspective and taxonomy. Moreover, the
literatures have foreseen the future directions in the development of 6G networks, such as
zero-energy networking, secure business models, next-gen IoT, and unified services.
[2,40,133,96- 6G Vision:  Foreseen applications of 6G networks, such as smart city, extended reality, haptic
97,140,115] Technologies, communication, remote healthcare, robotics, and human computer interaction are presented.
Opportunities, Next, technology requirements of these applications, plausible technology enablers, and its
Challenges. challenges were discussed.
 Some specific vision requirements for healthcare [97], haptic communication, autonomous
driving [140], security, latency, data rate, resilience, computation were reported.
[3,43,115,120,127]  The authors discussed the key enablers such as pervasive AI, cell-free networks, meta
materials, wireless power transfer, and quantum communication along with their merits, while
providing a generalized vision of 6G networks and its use cases.
[4]  The articles discuss the generalized new architecture of 6G networks w.r.t infrastructure view
(terrestrial, underwater, and space), control view (AI at the edge, physical layer, AI for
distributed components), and network view (components at different layers).
[5,9,35,18]  This article presents a new vision for 6G networks by integrating the anticipated applications,
key features that promote these use cases, and technology components to support the features.
It further throws light on multiple open research problems.
 Moreover, in [18], the authors highlighted several crucial human factors on which 6G
networks depend, such as dependency on basic science, industries, health and social issues of
users, social factors for worldwide connectivity, and business models.
[19,28,31,96]  6G networks were classified by a new vision of 6G networks as deeply learned, holographical
connected, and ubiquitously covered network. It presents a detailed study of communication
requirements, available technologies, and challenges of the next generation networks. They
also presented a new KPIs for 6G networks to address various application requirements.
[117,152] Intelligent  The authors proposed a framework for intelligent healthcare in the 6G network. The paper
Healthcare also studied the requirements of 6G networks for intelligent healthcare, including AI, Medical
IoT, wearable devices, and augmented reality.
 The authors in [152] narrated the possible enhancements in smart healthcare due to the
inception of 6G networks. It predicted that with the aid of Bio-Nano things, there would be
three body communication patterns, namely, in-body, on-body, and off-body to communicate
patient data to the intelligent processing systems, and 6G network will enable these services.
[10]  This article discusses the role of photonics in the 6G networks, in addition to AI, and
Photonics and holography. It presents a general framework of photonic for RAN, and cognitive radio for 6G
VLC networks.
[12,17]  It describes the 2030 roadmap of 6G networks in general, and VLC in specific, while
highlighting the technology mile stones. In [103], authors also provided a state-of-the-art of
features, strength, and challenges of optical wireless communication for 6G networks.
[103,147]  The authors proposed an algorithm for data security in VLC using watermark technique for
6G networks. In [147], several novel concepts such as hybrid-radio optical networks,
interactive VLC, optical IoT, and their challenges were discussed.

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[36,60,61,118,159]  These articles review the use cases of AI techniques for 6G networks, including applications of
AI in mobile edge computing, handover management, and spectrum management. In addition,
they discuss the key research directions and plausible solutions of AI in 6G networks
communication scenario.
Artificial  The papers also propose a new AI architecture for 6G networks. They further explain the
Intelligence: AI technologies to convert software-based network to an intelligent (AI) driven network.
for Edge, and
[13] Machine Learning  It envisions the role of AI for 6G network wireless communications, and signifies the role of
(ML) AI agents in autonomous driving.
[34,42]  These papers put forward a vision for distributed edge computing with AI targeting
autonomy, learning capability, and context aware services.
 The white paper focus on edge computing, intelligence at the edge, training the intelligent
ML algorithms, their challenges. They also provide a key for the intelligent edge computing
system for 6G networks. Additionally, they consider the security, pricing, and user
requirements from intelligent edge in the discussion.
[47,72,155]  These white papers describe the various ML algorithms for the different layers of (Physical,
medium access, and application) wireless networks, especially targeting 6G networks.
[14,30,99,150] Block chain: and  The authors presented the significance of block chain technology from the perspective of
Security in 6G security and privacy in 6G Technologies. It highlighted the challenges and opportunities in
the implementation of block chain.
 The authors in [99][150], pictured a broader scope of security in 6G networks, especially
how different components like visible light, quantum communication, and block chain will
contribute toward security.

[15,104,89-90] Cyber Twins  Authors present a cyber-twin-based cloud-centric architecture for 6G networks. Here, cyber
twins reside in the edge device to offer end-to-end connection. They further recommend the
use of cyber twins as communication assistant, network data logger, and digital asset owner,
while highlighting their features.

[16,50] Business Model  The authors here proposed a blockchain based decentralized resource configuration
[23,24] prototype for various verticals and business applications of the 6G ecosystem.
 The white paper enlightens the readers with the business scenarios for 6G in the next
decade, its key trends and uncertainties. The authors mentioned three scenarios, namely,
user experience, sustainability, and business, to propose their models.
 The authors narrate the performance attributes and value impact for the sustainability and
efficiency of 6G network business models. Their study concludes that 6G business models
can rely on scalability and sustainability.
[20,73,125] Resource  The papers investigate the multi-user resource allocation in WDMA for high data rate
Allocation in optical communication for indoor 6G network applications. They formulated a mixed-
B5G and 6G integer linear programming model to address the resource allocation issues in the diversity
and imaging receivers.
 The authors in [73], formulated a problem of radio resource allocation in massive machine
type communication to meet the diverse QoS requirements. The design uses a grant-free
access scheme as useful to the future 6G networks, which is also endorsed in [142].

[21] Eco System:  Authors presented a unique theoretical foundation for the 6G ecosystem, encompassing the
[22] Framework, and eco system’s structure, process, goals, outcomes, and contingencies.
[25] Life Critical  It analyzes the requirements for the 6G framework by comparing with 5G networks and
[122] Applications studying the vision of the features of 6G networks. Further, the authors proposed a high-
level capability enhancement framework for 6G requirements.
 Investigates the short-range life critical applications such as intra-vehicle, intra-body critical
communication using 6G networks. The study proposed a subnetwork that operates as an
underlay in the 30 GHz band, which coexist with other networks, and offer the requirements
of extremely low latency and reliability.
 The article discusses the design aspects of Wireless Isochronous Real-Time (WIRT), a new
use case of 6G networks, which requires extremely high reliability as applicable to life
critical services. Further, this work evaluates the required bandwidth to achieve reliability in
a densely deployed network.
[29] Reconfigurable  The authors have envisioned that reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) will be one of the
[59,70,91,119,130] Intelligent technology components for 6G networks to act as relays to intelligently modify the
[123,128,144] Surface, transmitted signal and offer a high data rate despite channel disparities. Further, they also
[138] Holographic discussed the challenges and future scope of this technology such as the design of
MIMO, metamaterials, beamforming for multi-user systems in RIS.
Metamaterials,  Describes the potential application of intelligent surfaces for holographic communication.
Intelligent Besides, it explains the future research directions and challenges of intelligent materials for
Surfaces. holographic communication.
 The work in [123], narrates a state-of-the-art study on back scatter communication and non-
coherent detection for 6G networks to enhance the energy efficiency, and reliability by the
usage of environmentally scattered signals.
 Index modulation is the key for 6G networks. In [128], the authors investigated the use of
index modulation and multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) for intelligent surface

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transmissions. The proposed method is power efficient and does the beam scanning at a
lower size, weight than the existing schemes.
[32] VANET  The paper investigates the throughput in 6G vehicular network scenario by the use of user
channel quality sensing and network-based load estimation. The authors recommend sharing
of traffic load information with the UEs to enhance the performance of the proposed
method.
[7] Machine Type  The authors discuss six enablers specifically targeting the machine type communication in
Communication 6G networks; namely, massive connectivity, security for MTC, distribute edge computing,
wireless power transfer, AI and ML, and emerging verticals.
[71] Quantum  The article envisions that Quantum Computing, and Quantum ML (QML) will play a key
Communication role as technology enablers of 6G networks. Further, the authors provided a state-of-the-art
and ML study of quantum communication, application of ML to quantum communication,
challenges, and future scope for the 6G networks.
[33,55] Trust  Trust networking model, named customer edge switching model for 6G networks was
Networking proposed. They narrated the trust policy, regulations, and explains them with several use
cases.
 This white paper narrates the need of trust model, and the challenges in 6G networks.
Moreover, they described the use of trust models in PHY, network (i.e., crypto and post
quantum security) layers in detail.
[37,38,44,93] Future  These white papers discuss the features, challenges, business models, technology
[86,106] Networks- 2030 components of next generation networks, especially B5G networks that would emerge in
and Scope. 2030.
 The paper [44] gives a broader vision of 6G networks, including the key drivers and use
cases by considering the 2030’s sustainable development goals (SDG).
 In [86], the authors narrated the future of telecom network during 2030 under the light of 6G
networks, and highlighted the significance of cyber twins, extended reality, and holographic
communications.
[53,158] Localization  The white paper narrates the future localization and sensing opportunities for 6G networks.
The authors illustrated the significance of localization in the future 6G networks use cases,
and proposed various localization methods that are applicable to future technologies, such as
intelligent surfaces, ultra-massive beamforming, and THz imaging
 Further, the authors in [158] presented tutorial on localization techniques, classifications,
merits, demerits, significance of localization in different layers on 6G networks architecture,
future trends in localization, and the role of wireless communication and localization in 6G
networks.
[46] Validation and  A clear roadmap for the development and commercialization of 6G networks is defined in
Trials [46]. Furthermore, software testing for different verticals that span from mobility, banking,
to agriculture are discussed. It proposes the guidelines for trials and validation activities for
various verticals.
[104,114,139] New  In [114], a three-level intelligent deep learning-based architecture is defined for 6G
[140] Architectures networks. These layers encompass intelligence at the device (user level), at the edge (cell
[136] level), and in the cloud (network level). It mainly does user traffic prediction, scheduling,
[102] and user association at these levels, respectively.
[105]  The authors in [140] defined a high-level 6G network architecture, where storage, compute,
[108] and networking are done at the same level. The architecture consists of three layers, namely,
AI layer, user later, and control layer. The user layer is flat and is defined between the
access network and the internet. The control layer and AI layers are distributed and
virtualized for various services.
 An emulation of the human brain’s intelligence to the 6G network was proposed in [136].
The new architecture defined how wireless implants in the brain shall communicate with
surrounding 6G wireless infrastructure by amalgamating the theories from neuroscience and
wireless communication.
 A cyber twin-based architecture for 6G networks as proposed in [104] consists of cyber
twins at the edge devices between the user and cloud to act as a digital representative of the
user to assist in data log, and in communication as an assistant.
[31,39-40,96,121,134] Cell-free 6G  The authors in [31,121,134] envisioned that 6G networks would have the aerial connectivity
Networking and along with the terrestrial and underwater coverage to have communication in 3D space.
3D Connectivity Further, the aerial connection is easy to establish by the support of UAVs.
 In [39], cell-free architecture for 6G users was proposed. According to this concept, a user
need not be attached to a single base station or a gNB for connectivity. Instead, a user will
be sharing resources from multiple gNBs as if they belong to the same gNB or RAN.
 Similarly, in [40,96], the authors narrated the ideation on cell-free MIMO, where a user will
be served by multiple gNBs’ simultaneously to avoid interference, and the central
coordinator will coordinate the communication.
[95,129,141,112] Power efficiency  These papers asserted that self-sustainability would be one of the key requirements of IoE
devices in 6G networks. Therefore, the devices shall manage the power efficiency by the
adoption of cell-free and intelligent surfaces in communication [95].
 Furthermore, the wireless power transfer, solar cells, and outdoor devices were suggested
for IoT devices, minimizing channel state information (CSI) in 6G networks [129,141]. The
ambient RF signals shall be made to power the communication nodes in the surroundings to
enhance their battery operation as a part of wireless power transfer [129].

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[156-157,107,52] Digital Divide  6G broadband aims to support 1Tbps at extremely high mobility of 1000 km/h. To achieve
[48] and Broadband the said goal, the authors in [48] suggested that sub-GHz, VLC, ultra-massive MIMO,
Connectivity holographic radio, and THz communication are required at the physical layer level.
Furthermore, to achieve lower latency and higher reliability ML based optimization, a full-
duplex radio, new modulation schemes, and rate-splitting will be necessary.
 A Digital device is one of the key concerns of the 6G networks as it has not been addressed
effectively by the previous telecom generations. In [52,156,157], the authors proposed
several solutions such as multi-hop service, recommendations for the front, mid, and
backhaul, 3D coverage through drones and satellites, and spectrum co-existence to bridge
gap in connectivity.
[111,113,153,132] THz  In [153], the authors reviewed the recent trends in THz communication, its challenges, and
[57,26] Communication future research directions with respect to THz devices, THz channel, and space-based THz
systems. In [57], the authors experimented with several aspects of THz communication B5G
networks: measurement of propagation and partition loss, beam steering, and spatial
consistency. Further, they have summarized several properties of THz communication.
 The authors in [111], defined different use cases of THz communication, such as THz IoT,
THz-WiFi, THz-backhaul, and THz-space communication scenarios. In addition, they
focused on challenges of THz communication for these use cases.
 An antenna model for THz communication is investigated in [26]. It studied a nano antenna
model with the Plasmonic charge distribution principle for THz communication in 6G
networks. The proposed mathematical model investigates the device model in THz and
physical behavior in frequency and space domains.

IV. 6G ENABLING TECHNOLOGIES

communicating surfaces, communication through brain

FIGURE 4. Technology Enablers of 6G implanted chips or brain-machine interface [136] to enable
all-round cyber-physical-biological communication
In this section, we will discuss the prime features, their experience. Consequently, 6G will be much more than the
types, need, challenges, etc., of various technologies that present smart connected networks, where the network
enable 6G communication. In Fig. 4, we have depicted components will largely integrate intelligence to bring in a
these technologies. We reckon that 6G will integrate three paradigm shift from smart to intelligent network as shown
aspects namely physical, biological, and digital world as in Fig. 4. Further, we have discussed eight enabling
shown in Fig. 4. This intuition shall be elaborated as in the technologies for 6G namely, artificial intelligence, THz
case of 6G networks along with the typical radio frequency communication, 3D connectivity, Visible light
communication, it will include robots, digital twins,
artificial intelligence, emotion-driven devices, smart

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communication, blockchain, quantum communication, Current Trends in AI: There are different types of AI
intelligent surfaces, and digital twins. systems (say ML) for wireless networking, which seems
promising for 6G networks, namely, supervised,
A. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE unsupervised, and reinforcement learning. Currently, a
Why AI for 6G: In 5G networks, the network orchestration large body of research focuses on the use of AI and its
functions lead to a flexible network slicing feature. derivatives, such as deep learning and machine learning to
Consequently, the specific requirements of most of the optimize the wireless networks’ performance of [13,34,72].
verticals could be met without depending on AI to a greater AI will be pivotal in Radio Access Network (RAN) and the
extent. However, we address the applications that are virtualized core network of 6G networks, including edge
beyond the service limits of 5G networks in 6G networks. computing, resource allocation, slicing, control, and
We reckon that due to the following reasons, AI is essential applications. However, how exactly AI would support the
for the 6G networks [60-61]. core 6G networks has to be realized in the future as a
(i) We anticipate that in 6G networks, there will be a finalized architecture for 6G networks is yet to be devised.
plethora of heterogeneous network components that Tariq et al. [3] has opined that AI will be pervasive in
interconnect via multiple numerologies (3D connectivity) to distributed 6G architecture, where various network
serve diversified verticals, process a large amount of data, components would adopt federated learning. AI will be
and they demand varying levels of QoS. Addressing these operating in distributed training agents at different network
tasks require efficient analysis, optimization, and decision entities that will support individuals and the overall
skills. Therefore, at every level of the communication network’s benefit by a collective operation. The AI
system, say user terminal nodes to edge processor, and core scenarios, specifically deep learning algorithms, will suit
network, intelligence has been deeply embedded and the analysis of big data generated by several IoT nodes
integrated to offer end-to-end services. when processed centrally in the network. In addition, to
In addition, in such contexts, relying on existing enhance network performance, the wearable sensors will
architecture or time-consuming mathematical models for incorporate the computing and data aggregation features
optimization of performance metrics may not lead to locally along with sensing and communication. That means
feasible solutions [7, 56]. Moreover, these user applications 6G networks necessitate another context, where data
give the idea that the 6G network is much complex in terms processing is done locally at the edge/fog devices in a
of network structure and dynamics than the earlier distributed way for delay-sensitive applications, which
generations. Consequently, it requires assistance from could be done using reinforcement techniques [5,42]. The
smart, adaptive, and intelligent AI agents to self-learn from authors in [60] have endorsed that locally generated data by
the network inputs to adjust the offered services with various sub-networks of the 6G network might be
dynamism and optimize. Generally, this scenario suggests processed locally using AI techniques to attain efficiency in
that 6G architecture must target automation through AI. terms of reduced latency and overhead. Furthermore, AI
Precisely, those tasks such as resource allocation, reaching could be integrated into the radio access network to infuse
the targeted KPIs, mobility management and handover, cognitive capabilities for efficient channel selection from
policy and billing, services for various verticals, the physical channels such as THz band, visible light
orchestration, and quality of service ought to be AI-driven communication, Wi-Fi, satellite link, transmission power,
by considering the volume, the heterogeneity of data, and and modulation scheme selections. AI at the application
its analysis to improve the performance [2]. Thus, making layer can manage various smart processes such as
the network self-operative, manageable, and self-sustained automated driving, smart healthcare, and improved
under any network conditions [36,61]. performance by suitable data learning methods. On the
(ii) Similarly, at the physical layer, sensing and detection same note, the study in [4] has identified three categories of
from sensors require the spectrum sensing to address AI systems for 6G networks. (i) AI at the network edge
spectrum scarcity problem, whereas interference detection supports low latency applications with real-time data
requires a dynamic and massive volume of data collection. processing capability instead of a cloud-based centralized
In this context, AI techniques such as Support Vector AI system. (ii) AI-enabled radio that decouples physical
Machine (SVM) for real-time spectrum sensing and hardware (i.e., transceiver) from the software with control
Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) for cooperative functions to enable AI-driven dynamic and intelligent
sensing would be proved to be effective solutions [36]. In decision making using the data received from the
addition, when we consider physical layer modeling in the transceiver. For instance, interference avoidance, cell
presence of channel non-linearity, AI methods perform selection, channel estimation, etc. (iii) Distributed AI,
better than simple mathematical models, which may have where each network entity will be capable of running the
unacceptable time complexity. For instance, Deep Neural AI algorithms in parallel, using the local data in a
Network (DNN) and CNN-based supervised algorithms distributed manner before being sent to the centralized
have been proved to better than traditional methods [61]. cloud [43,102].

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AI architectures for 6G: In the literature, there exist two network functionality, self-management, and self-
AI models for 6G network architecture. We will review organizing features [36].
both of them briefly in the following paragraph. AI Model II: Now, let us see the O-RAN Alliance, which is
AI Model 1: Let us consider how AI finds its place at an Open RAN alliance formed by five global telecom
different levels of a network. An AI-based layered operators for B5G networks, though not specifically for 6G
architecture for 6G networks, as defined in [36], has the [61]. Albeit, it provides a framework for integrating AI into
following realizations. the future cellular network. We summarize the key points
a) Layer 1: This first layer occurs at the RAN, where as follows. Here RAN is coupled with AI features to handle
several sensors such as robots, cameras, mobile devices, non-real-time (latency less than 1 s) and near-real-time
and connected vehicles sense real-time data and (latency 10 ms–1 s), and real-time services. This
communicate to the Access Point (AP). In this context, architecture has a multi-radio protocol stack to support
efficient environmental data collection, intelligent channel heterogeneous radio interfaces.
estimation and interference management (including the i) At the physical layer, deploying AI will enhance channel
scenario of cognitive radio), ultra-low latency, and high estimation for MIMO, receiver symbol detection without
reliability shall be possible by enabling AI techniques in much regard to channel state information (CSI), and
these devices. Otherwise, data collection in a rapidly channel decoding. As discussed earlier, AI techniques such
varying environment and channel selection during multiple as learning-based DNN for channel estimation, and
devices’ simultaneous operation will pose challenges. For detection will prove fruitful.
efficient real-time sensing, SVM, DNN, and CNN methods ii) Further, at the MAC layer, spectrum access in the outset
are recommended. of multiple radio interfaces will be the key requirement.
b) Layer 2: Next, as the data arrives at the Access Point However, employing spectrum access schemes for
(AP) level from layer 1, the massive data collected from the individual access technologies (as in existing practice) will
sensors require analysis (temporal or special), processing prove inefficient as 6G networks will have heterogeneous
(to reduce the redundancy), computing, and storage. In access technologies. Therefore, to facilitate distributed
particular, data analysis and mining filter the redundant channel access for multiple radio access technologies,
content to tailor the data set to a reasonable quantity. At this learning based dynamic spectrum access technologies, such
point, well-known AI techniques such as Principal as deep reinforcement learning-based distributed spectrum
Component Analysis (PCA) and Isometric Mapping access method shall be adopted [61].
(ISOMAP) can now be employed to compress the raw data. This architecture defines two interfaces, namely, A1 and E1
With intelligent data analytics, critical network data to support non-real-time and near-real-time access layer,
patterns can be studied to improve the overall performance. respectively.
c) Layer 3: In the third level, data from the AP, or e-NB is iii) Similarly, at the network layer in 6G network, the
sent to cloud computing and storage. These clouds or edge resource allocation and management tasks are herculean
computing facilities will be NFV and SDN controlled task by traditional methods due to the high density of
virtualized network entities. At this level, the controllers connected devices. Therefore, it is recommended to use
equipped with intelligent agents will make decisions methods such as AI-driven trouble shooting, knowledge
regarding learning and decision making by the knowledge data for fault recovery, and root cause fault analysis by an
obtained from layers below it. It includes resource AI model. Second, the management of virtualized network
allocation functions, power control by considering the functions at different virtual networks, tuning the MIMO
network slicing requirements of various applications. parameters for setting the beam width during mobility can
Further, AI agents control handover and optimize the be achieved with reinforcement learning algorithms [61].
physical layer parameters such as deciding the precoding Additionally, the authors in [60], have proposed an
matrix, rank index in massive MIMO transmissions, and intelligent radio for 6G networks that enables the future
edge computing by learning from the knowledge obtained upgrade of radio receiver, introducing an operating system
from the previous lower levels to meet the high-quality between transceiver hardware and its software. The
service requirements. The main AI methods for efficient operating system will be capable of reconfiguring its
decision making regarding optimal parameter selection in algorithm to improve the performance by sensing the
massive MIMO or smart reflecting surface (polarization, transceiver parameters and other inputs with the help of an
precoding matrix, phase, and rank indicator, etc.,) in 6G interface. The DNN-based implementation of the intelligent
network can be performed through the Markov decision radio will be low cost, and flexible.
process, reinforcement learning methods. B. THz COMMUNICATION SPECTRUM
d) Layer 4: Finally, at the application level, AI will assist in The 6G communication will span across microwave (300
delivering specific services based on the needs of each MHz–300 GHz), infrared (300 GHz–400 THz), and visible
application or verticals. For instance, data service for the light (400–800 THz) frequencies, ranging from long
6G eMBB user and ultra-low latency for robotic-assisted distance to short distance coverage, while coexisting with
smart healthcare can use AI techniques to automate the the previous generations. However, 300 GHz–3 THz
expanding up to 10 THz which is popularly known as

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Terahertz (THz) spectrum is a new frequency band for communication, certain wavelengths like 600–870
cellular communication, which 6G networks will micrometer are well suited for long-range communication
exclusively target to offer extremely high data rates [4,75]. at low noise and low power [111,120,122].
Need of THz Spectrum: Spectrum is the fundamental and Challenges: THz waves will significantly affect large-
sparsely available resource for wireless communication. scale fading and shadowing. It has been reported that
From the discussion of 6G’s plausible use cases, and signals below 100 GHz face large attenuation due to
expected KPIs, it directly boils down to the point of moisture in the air [120125]. Further, it has a relatively
bandwidth and spectrum resources to support these data higher free space loss compared to lower frequencies. At 1
applications. The 5G network will explore sub-GHz, and THz, the radio signal will experience high absorption from
frequencies up to 30 –300 GHz, (with a maximum water molecules, oxygen in the air [28]. In addition,
bandwidth of 400 MHz) to offer millimeter wave shadowing will immensely influence propagation. A study
communications. However, the offered bandwidth may not says the human body may attenuate the signal by 20–35 dB
suffice to meet the services that have dual requirements like [9]. Another challenge will be at high frequencies design
ultra-low latency combined with high data rate or vice and fabrication of transceivers for mobile devices is
versa, because that strains the bandwidth [10,57]. Anyway, extremely complicated [127]. Besides, the power required
6G network being the successor of 5G network, will to handle the high frequency processing such as Analog to
continue to use the microwave, mm-wave frequencies along Digital Conversion (ADC) for sampling is yet to be known
with the future THz frequency bands, where tens of GHz [28,132]. There is currently a lack of study on the channel
chunk of frequency (spectrum) are available [9]. Recently, characterization of THz frequency signals, the support for
along the same lines, 6G research has been triggered by the inter-frequency mobility, handover and the physical layer
US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) by protocols [5].
announcing an experimental license for 95 GHz to 3 THz
spectra, along with granting 21.2 GHz of spectrum for C. UBIQUITOUS 3D COMMUNICATION
unlicensed communication [24]. This major step will One of the significant requirements of the 6G networks,
motivate many researchers to explore THz band in-depth. as different from the previous generations is to have all
The need for a new spectrum arose as the lower GHz round global connectivity such as high altitude, underwater,
band will be much occupied (5G family). As a result, and terrestrial connectivity to adeptly accommodate a wide
providing a large chunk of frequencies to next-generation range of verticals. With this vision, 6G networks target to
networks to support high data rate will not be feasible. achieve extended and continuous communication between
Therefore, ITU-R has foreseen the need for an exclusive humans and smart things, machine-machine such as
spectrum for B5G networks and has recommended 275 underwater vehicles, UAVs, or spacecraft, and robots
GHz - 3 THz frequencies that include the microwave and [75,121]. In 2030, communication between terrestrial,
optical frequency bands. This Terahertz frequency band aircraft and satellites, and ships will become more obvious
will offer a nearly 60 GHz unoccupied spectrum, sufficient [9].
to provide a Tbps data rate [3]. Let us see the scenario more in detail. Refer Fig. 5 where
Opportunities: THz communication offers several we have pictorially represented the scenario. Concerning
opportunities due to its unique properties. As a result, 6G the network densification, 6G networks is anticipated to see
networks will prefer it for short-range high-speed an un-presidential increase in the number of user terminals,
communication and space communication between satellite where users will be capable of networking with other
and ground stations. Meanwhile, the availability of wider terminals either in the same level (terrestrial-terrestrial) or
bandwidth in THz frequencies makes the high data rate at different levels (terrestrial-aerial, terrestrial-underwater,
feasible. Next, high-frequency communication leads to or aerial-underwater) via multiple radio access networks.
miniaturization of the circuit (device). As a result, multiple Furthermore, it will be a common scenario where a user
antennas, an array of antennas can be accommodated into will have network connectivity with multiple cells with
the user devices. This facilitates the use of efficient multi- resources being shared among those cells by mutual
antenna MIMO schemes, beamforming, and interference coordination. As a result, the concept of a cell will diminish
suppression to enhance the quality of communication [107]. i.e., the cell-less architecture will emerge to have infinite
Furthermore, these high-frequency signals will follow the freedom with multiple RAN connectivity feature to endorse
line of sight (LoS), and are highly directional, resulting in all round connectivity [134]. The emergence of cell-free in
less susceptible to jamming and are secure. In addition, the 6G networks will bring in the need of heterogeneous
frequencies above 100 GHz are least affected by technologies such as satellite, UAV, submarine, and deep-
rain/moisture. The THz range will give rise to extremely sea connectivity to coexist and integrate with terrestrial
tiny cells (say 10’s of meters) to support a high data rate THz RAN to enhance the data rate, coverage and seamless,
mobile broadband communication in local space for special flexible connectivity aspects. The proposed feature shall
applications in the future. Short wavelength and pulses with address the issues of present networks such as delayed
well resolute time make it an ideal candidate for super- handovers, mobility, data loss, etc., to offer better quality of
precise positioning [24]. With regard to the space experience to the users [31,142,124]. In the following

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paragraph, we will visit the various components that floating base station. However, there are challenges when
constitutes 3D networking. 2D communication has to be extended to 3D due to the
altitude and added degree of freedom [31]. The aerial
channel modeling study should attain maturity before UAV
can be integrated as a part of 6G [9,113]. Further,
optimization of route, power, number of UAV’s to provide
coverage requires special attention as these devices have
power constraints [76].
Underwater communication: Let us consider a scenario
of deep-sea exploration, for instance, the study of
underwater habitats, deep water ecosystems, natural
resources, or recreational tour, and military communication;
all these activities involve the transmission of video, data to
a ground station. Furthermore, the communication during
any rescue operation through a submarine or UAV, far from
the coast are challenging due to an unpredictable
underwater environment, where RF, visible light, and
acoustic signals should provide communication. Later, it
FIGURE 5. 3D Communication Scenario in 6G. has to be integrated into the terrestrial or at times to space
communication [112]. Incorporating this challenge as a part
Space communication: The three main patterns of space of 6G network with different frequencies to communicate
communication consist of (i) communication between the for underwater (low frequency) and terrestrial will meet the
earth satellite transponders and low earth orbit (LEO) key requirement of the future networks. The acoustic
satellites, (ii) 6G cellular base station, cellular users, and communication mainly spans between acoustic waves, RF,
UAVs, and (iii) UAVs, aeroplanes, and 6G base stations. and optical wireless frequencies; a thorough channel
It is a well-known fact that the existing communication modeling for all three cases is an intricate task [127,9].
satellites mainly belong to the Geo Stationary Orbits (GEO) In general, to provide 3D coverage, 6G network will
that impose large delay for terrestrial mobile virtualize its hardware access (i.e., physical and medium-
communications. Consequently, theoretical studies in the access) to enable the network service for more users and
literature have envisioned mobile broadband amalgamation verticals.
with LEO satellites [121]. It has been reported that several
countries like US, UK, and China have planned their D. VISIBLE LIGHT COMMUNICATION
satellite missions. For instance, China has planned to In earlier telecom networks, connectivity between cell
launch nine such LEO satellites (Hongyan) by 2025, into its tower and mobile switching centers were either microwave
cluster of 320 satellites [4]. These satellites may provide (RF) or fiber optic links (non-RF). However, since 4G
direct coverage to the terrestrial station (transponders) or to onwards, free-space optical (FSO) links have started to
ships. This is the first pattern of space communication. attain prominence to connect the backhaul due to its
These LEO satellites will offer extended coverage, high- simplicity, license-free operation, high data rates, and
speed data, low latency communication support to security. Due to these features, VLC will be on the main
terrestrial communication in conjunction with GEO contender for backhaul networking in 6G network, along
satellites that acts as backbone network [22,149]. with RF links [2]. In dense 6G networks, a very high
UAV based communication: Recently, UAV’s have been bandwidth technology will be mandatory at the backhaul to
extensively used as relay nodes to extend cellular coverage. manage the data due to the massive amount of data
At a little lower altitude than satellites, UAVs functions as generation. In this regard, the VLC and THz
either mobile base stations while being afloat in space to communications will be the two main candidates for 6G
cover a large footprint of terrestrial mobile users or act as cellular communication at the physical layer [31]. The VLC
relays (hotspots) to extend the coverage of base stations as a complementary technology to RF occupies the higher
where the mobile infrastructure is hard to setup and thereby scale of THz frequency ranging from 400 THz–800 THz.
serve a greater number of users [18]. One of the foreseen Note that VLC offers hundreds of THz bandwidth
applications of UAV communication in 6G networks will (unlicensed), meanwhile, the THz frequency
be to provide rural connectivity at a reduced cost [76,151]. communication has only up to a hundred THz bandwidth
Features of UAV communication: Easy deployment and (licensed) available [4]. Even though 5G networks did not
network setup are critical features of UAV to enable consider VLC in its ecosystem, VLC deployments for
flexible range extension or coverage enhancement of short-range communications offer several Gbps data rate
wireless communication. For instance, during a calamity, [9]. Thus, in the next decade when LED technologies
hurricane, tsunami, desert, where the existing infrastructure mature, especially with the advent of micro-LED sources,
has damaged or does not exist, the UAV may function as a and laser diodes, 6G’s data rate requirements can be met.

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VLC as a family of FSO has several merits over RF way, the reliability factor is introduced among all users;
communication. First, the optical spectrum is license free. however, with the compromise of privacy, as modifications
Second, the VLC in the frequency range 430–790 THz uses will be visible to all [14]. The decentralized operation of
white light LED as a source to transmit the encoded data. blockchain brings flexibility with reduced management
The data encoding is much simplified in VLC, where by cost. The blockchain even offers several advantages in a
modulating the brightness of the light emitted by LED, highly connected mesh network, such as security,
different encoding levels can be achieved easily. Third, it is reliability, trust, and scalability [2]. One of such instances
anticipated that VLC link will offer several THz of blockchain in 6G networks could be a video conference
bandwidths and up 100 Gbps data rate, and may grow to call, or mixed reality-based video streaming, where the
Tbps in future [4]. As a result, the use of multi transmission network along with providing connectivity, also requires all
links can offer enough data rate for 6G use cases [3]. In the parties to authenticate themselves and the data being
particular, laser diode which has higher efficiency and communicated through dedicated blockchains. This will
illumination than LEDs, can offer a 100 Gbps of data rate bring in the knowledge of data properties to analyze the
for critical applications of the 6G networks [28]. In general, abnormal behaviors in real-time [42]. However, there are
even indoor communications remain secure within a other challenges in 6G networks besides the massive device
confined space as light sources cannot pass through the connections for blockchain implementation, such as
obstacles [17]. VLC will be the most suitable candidate for resource restrictions on the devices limit the scope of use of
the line of sight inter-UAV communication in 6G networks. cryptographic security algorithms on the device. Similarly,
Since the communication system is simple and flexible, two data packets must undergo an intensive audit to evaluate the
or more aerial vehicles can communicate through optical risk, which becomes a herculean task when the number of
frequencies generated by the LED sources without being devices is very big. Due to the lack of third party
distracted by the obstacles above the ground level. In verification, security attacks are more accessible by
addition, the interference issues in VLC are also minimal. compromising half of the total participants. The authors in
As a result, underwater communications between [14] have suggested using cryptographic and quantum
submarines, personal healthcare devices, or industries computing based algorithms for privacy issues in
susceptible to electromagnetic radiation are the other blockchain. Altogether, the blockchain has a major role
scenarios that will find VLC the most suitable [9]. contributing to security, scalability, and reliability factors in
Nevertheless, VLC is challenging in the outdoor setting, the 6G network [30].
as external light (ex: sunlight) will influence the In the future, for 6G, blockchain shall provide security to
communication beam. So, aerial communication requires a mobile edge computing nodes when several devices wish to
very strong light beam to overcome this limitation. Thus, store their data in the edge device. Similarly, in case of
VLC is more suitable for indoor short-range device-to-device communication, the cooperative data
communication without this constraint. caching among the users also shall use distributed security.
In addition, when we consider network virtualization, it is
E. BLOCKCHAIN SECURITY obvious that the network capacity will enhance due to
Blockchain is a distributed ledger that will play a pivot provisioning more slices. In this regard, while
role in the maintenance of data security and transparency implementing blockchain, it will provide authenticity of
when numerous devices share the data in a decentralized data in every slices along with immutability features to
way in B5G networks. efficiently manage the virtual network [33,14].
Why blockchain for 6G: We know that 6G networks will
have a massive network of IoT and MTC devices that F. QUANTUM COMMUNICATION (QC)
connect homes, cities, and factories with several data It is one of the enablers of the 6G network; especially, it
transactions between the networked entities. Moreover, a will support 6G network in achieving (i) extremely high
survey predicts that there will be 50 billion connected data rate requirements at the backhaul, (ii) data security,
devices IoE during the 6G network era [3]. In that context, and (iii) long-range transmissions [3-5]. In general, the
there should have trust among the devices to facilitate existing protocols of mobile networks can be significantly
secure data transfer. To build such trust and security, the enhanced by utilizing the principles of quantum theories to
blockchain allows maintaining a sequential ledger (chain of attain higher degrees of freedom [71,18]. Foreseen by the
blocks) by each node wherein if any user does the role of QC in the 6G and future networks, the Government
modification of data within a block, it will be visible to and of UK, and New York University have invested heavily on
shall be authenticated by everyone else to prevent the research of quantum communication and computing
falsification. [78].
Features of Blockchain: These modifications are In the case of QC, data that encoded using photons which
imprinted into the data block with a private hash key, and cannot be decoded or copied (cloned) without tampering as
data remains unaltered without the consent of the other quantum particles (photons) will be highly intertwined and
devices [2]. That means, when a data block is created, it correlated. In addition, data will be represented as ‘qubits’ a
must be verified with respect to the previous blocks by the unique notion of multi-level description of data, where
other participating users to maintain transparency. In this qubit is the fundamental unit of quantum data [4].

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Therefore, the underlying principle of QC, includes and atmosphere in dense urban settings [9]. However,
quantum superposition, quantum entanglement (no-cloning) looking at challenges, such as energy efficiency of
theorem [71]. massive MIMO and inter-cell interference, efficient
However, when we move our attention toward data rate solutions are yet to be determined [28,40].
improvement in QC, we use the concept of a quantum In the context of 6G networks, it is more appropriate to
superposition of qubits. Basically, it does the parallel use the term ultra-massive MIMO. To fill the gap
processing of multi-dimensional large-sized data to offer concerning the physical layer, the combination of THz and
seamless data rate, unlike the binary data processing in several antenna arrays (massive MIMO) shall be used in 6G
conventional computing systems. For instance, a qubit can networks to support user’s mirage of data hungry
represent binary ‘0’ and ‘1’ simultaneously. In addition, n applications. One of such use cases will be beamforming,
bits can represent 2n bit patterns at the same time, instead of where multiple antennas are pointed toward a user with the
anyone combination of n bits as in digital communication. help of directional beams for complete utilization of spatial
In the case of QC, communication security is another key dimensions. Therefore, 6G networks must target physically
feature to mention by randomization. The communication is large panels accommodating more antennas, and narrow the
impossible for eavesdropping as the data will be beam width (increased spatial resolution) to increase the
represented in an encoded quantum state using photons and beamforming gain. The efficiency of beamforming can be
cannot be meddled without the intertwined patterns. Here, achieved using continuous aperture antennas where each
QC makes use of quantum entanglement, or the no-cloning antenna is discretely spaced. This increases the cost and
principle [3]. One of the future applications of QC in power consumption. In this context, holography radio is a
security is the quantum key distribution (QKD). This solution that uses meta-materials on which antennas can be
application provides vast security to physical layer due to densely spaced on a small area [48]. In 6G, we will
quantum mechanics based key distribution in future overcome the limitations of 5G networks by using large
networks [19]. antenna reflecting surfaces and holographic
Furthermore, long range communication is supported communication, where holographic beamforming with the
with the aid of quantum repeaters (relay) that retransmits help of Smart antennas renders holographic 3D videos [28].
the photons. It has been reported that QC can be integrated Unlike the 5G massive MIMO, 6G networks would use
with satellite communication to offer global coverage [4]. smart intelligent surfaces (IRS) which reflect the data
Meanwhile, quantum repeaters and switches are difficult to received from a base station toward the receiver [59].
build due to no-cloning theorem [71]. An interesting Intelligent communication smart surfaces: The existing
paradigm for the future networks will be combining QC massive MIMO technologies for 5G networks provide
with ML to solve classification and regression problems spatially, efficient ways of enhancing communication
more efficiently than the classical ML solutions, which is performance. However, the complex signal processing,
termed quantum machine learning [40]. Here, quantum increased power consumption, hardware design, and THz
supervised and unsupervised learning, quantum deep wave’s propagation properties (ex: blockage due to
learning, and quantum reinforcement learning techniques obstacles) pose a real challenge. Furthermore, at THz
would satisfy the complex computation requirements of 6G frequencies, due to low scattering very few scattering paths
networks [71]. All these features make QC a suitable exist. Thus, using antenna arrays becomes a challenge due
candidate for 6G networks. to the shrinking size of the antenna elements. Therefore, an
alternative to ultra-massive MIMO is essential.
G. ULTRA-MASSIVE MIMO AND INTELLIGENT As we know, the hardware components will be driven by
COMMUNICATION SURFACES intelligence to adapt to the changes in the surrounding
Due to the availability of large bandwidth in THz environment in the 6G network. For instance, the
frequency, by the use of MIMO transmission technique, performance of the cognitive spectrum access, modulation,
large spectral efficiency can be achieved. MIMO technique and coding, beamforming can be modified as the
which exploits the spatial diversity of the communication environment changes [70]. One such intelligent component
medium several antennas at the transmitter and/or the that enables wireless communication is an Intelligent
receiver, and offers enhanced spectral efficiency and gain surface. The intelligent surface is also known as
with the given channel bandwidth [9]. For instance, in a 64- Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface (RIS). An intelligent
beam array plane, there are 64 unique predetermined surface will act as a boon to enhance overall
angular directions. During transmission to a user, a single communication between transmitter and receiver in a cost
angular beam will be chosen to expect each user to be well effective and energy-efficient manner [28]. An intelligent
apart from the rest and should have a line of sight path [48]. surface is a passive reflective surface of electromagnetic
This limitation of 5G massive MIMO should be overcome signals without requiring a dedicated power source. These
in 6G networks, where each antenna array creates a beam in are generally made of reflective arrays, liquid crystals, or
multiple directional vectors with each beam having software defined meta-surfaces. These surfaces will
different angular directivity [48]. The massive MIMO manipulate and reflect the incident RF signal from different
transmission will enable the receiver to overcome the sources and direct them toward the receiver to assist in
degradation effect on the THz waves caused due to rain

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wireless communication [40,48]. The modification of the power transfer, device-to-device communication, and
incident RF signals is done by programming these meta- positioning and localization [2991].
material surfaces, similar to a software defined radio.
Therefore, the RIS is also denoted as software-defined H. DIGITAL TWINS
surface (SDS) [59,119]. A digital twin is a digital representation of a real world
Features of intelligent surfaces: Since these surfaces are object, person, place, or event projected virtually in a
passive and do not use power amplifiers or analog for the cyber-physical world, without regard to time or space
digital converter, they prove to be power efficient than restrictions [90]. It is expected that with the digital twins,
massive MIMO technology as the latter uses active we will experience the reality (i.e., of the original object)
elements to re-transmit the signal. Further, the amount of virtually (as a twin) [86]. The advancements in sensor
radio wave reflection depends on the surfaces area of these technology, AI, and communication has led to several
intelligent surface. Another key property of the intelligent applications of digital twins. To render the twin of an object
surface is that they intelligently reconfigure the modulation digitally at the remote site end, the system must process a
or phase of the reflected signal with respect to the channel high definition data of the original object, analyse, and
condition such as fading and path loss. Further, the decode to reproduce it virtually. In this context, AI’s
intelligent surface can aggrandize beamforming of massive supervised or unsupervised algorithms will be much
MIMO in the 6G networks due to the software suitable as they can accurately analyse the data from the
programmable feature [28]. With the help of reflecting surroundings.
surface elements, it is easy to mimic the effect of Digital twins have several use cases, as mentioned in [89-
beamforming at a reduced complexity. Studies have 90]. For instance, in Industry 4.0, a digital twin of a
investigated the potential of intelligent reflecting surface for machine will help the operator to predict future failures or
index modulation for 6G networks [59]. malfunctions much earlier by analyzing the twin data as
Holographic MIMO: Holographic MIMO is an there will be continuous feedback between the original
interesting paradigm of intelligent surface enabled machine and the twin for better performance analysis. A
communication [70]. Here, a large intelligent surface can be similar intension has been exploited by the automotive
configured to act either as transmitter, or as receiver using giant Tesla company in their digital twin of the cars.
the principle of optical holography. When there is a power Another foreseen application will be for e-healthcare. With
source used for the operation, i.e., in the active mode of the aid of the digital twin of a human, it will be easy to
operation it is explicitly termed as H-MIMO surface. analyze the body parameters in real-time or shall study the
However, in passive mode (no power source) it is majorly a impact of a drug, pre-surgical study of the area to be
reflecting surface that modifies and reflects the incident RF operated [89].
signal as a intelligent reflecting surface [70,43]. Samsung has expressed that digital twins will be one of
Now, let us consider the challenges associated with the the technology components that will drive 6G networks
Intelligent surfaces: (i) In a wireless communication system [86]. In [15], authors have proposed the digital twin model
assisted by RIS, the surface should acquire enough CSI for the 6G network architecture. Since 6G networks will
feedback from the transmitter and the receiver. However, have extremely high network density, the network will have
acquiring the CSI is a burden for passive devices which distributed its architecture for better management. These
cannot transmit the pilot signals for channel estimation, as digital twins (a.k.a. cyber twin) can become part of the
in the conventional systems. (ii) The passive surface needs network by acting as assistant, data logger, and digital asset
to transfer information, such as control signals to owner of the objects. In this scenario, the 6G’s network
synchronize with the transceiver and real-time architecture shall consist of four entities, namely, (i) end
environmental parameters. (iii) Resource allocation issues entities (human, things) who receive the service, (ii) edge to
such as lack of analytical models and computation cost cloud entity that connects the end-user to the core cloud
[29]. through the edge devices, and does initial edge processing.
These H-MIMO surfaces have a benefit of reusability, (iii) Cyber twins located at the edge server which are the
easy customization, and lower latency due to software replica of an end-user that provides services such as
programmability of the meta materials. In passive modes communication, data logging, and even act as the owner of
the thermal noise is absent. It is also spectrum efficient. assets. It will replace the end-to-end communication model
Furthermore, intelligent surfaces will act as range extenders with an end-to-cloud model. (iv) The cloud network where
when there is no direct link from the transmitter (gNB) to edge clouds and different other clouds will be
the user. Due to simplified beamforming, the RF signals interconnected. This architecture will provide scalability,
can be focused to the desired location that reduces the security, and flexibility to future generation networks.
change of eavesdropping, loss of signal due to attenuation, Challenges: To replicate an object or human in real-time
and facilitates wireless power transfer along with the requires extremely high data rates and perfect
information to the intended receiver [70]. In 6G network, synchronization (say 1Tbps and 100 ms). Besides, there are
RIS will find its applications apart from physical layer issues such as privacy, security, ethical issues, and cost of
communication, as RIS enabled Edge computing, wireless development. The technical community is hopeful that by

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2030, digital twins will very well support 6G networks Otherwise, will degrade due to hardware
when there will be more advancements in technology [90]. limitations performance, which is a real
challenge.
Reflective Intelligent (i) Deployment of RIS for optimizing the
Surfaces transmission range, coverage, and
I. CHALLENGES OF 6G ENABLERS efficiency requires detailed analytical
Even though 6G enablers will enhance the performance study which we lack at the moment.
(ii) In case of holographic MIMO, channel
of 6G networks several times more than the 5G networks, estimation is challenging due to the
the path to achieve the gain is arduous. In this subsection, constraints associated with the hardware.
we describe the various challenges associated with the 6G Quantum (i) Quantum computing repeaters and
network technology components, as given in Table 3. Communication switches for long range communication
are difficult to build with the available
technology.
TABLE 3:
(ii) With regard to implementation of
TECHNOLOGICAL CHALLENGES OF 6G
quantum communication in 6G networks,
Technology Challenges a long distance quantum channel is
THz Communication i. Atmospheric absorption and propagation necessary. However, for long distance
losses. photon transmission without much loss
ii. Antenna design and operation at THz requires photon repeaters. This area
frequencies is yet to be determined. requires in-depth research in future.
Complex User device Even though 6G network is said to be a
device free (Smartphone) wearable patch,
in case for designing a hardware that
operates at several frequency bands (RF, V. ARCHITECTURES FOR 6G
Optical), accommodating ultra-massive While roadmap, and standardization activities are yet to
MIMO transceiver, while being power be initiated, a few researchers have proposed new
efficient, miniaturization, and supporting
AI will be highly a complicated design. architectures of 6G networks. In this subsection, we
ii. Supporting AI, XR, Holographic, and describe briefly various architectures from the literature.
tactile requires additional sensors and need In the earlier section (IV), we narrated the critical features
a tradeoff with price, device size, and of two AI-based 6G architectures. Now, let us discuss the
features.
3D communication i. In an all-round connected network, other architectures.
providing suitable multiple access 1. Cyber-twin architecture: The authors proposed two
mechanism and resource management are architectures for 6G networks, namely, (i) cloud-centric
complicated. internet model and (ii) a decoupled RAN model [104]. In
ii. Deployment of 3D access network
(Access points, balloons, drones, the cloud-centric internet model, the existing IP architecture
underwater receivers) and minimizing the is slightly retained with certain modifications. First, the
interference in a dense network is a real users are connected to the RAN, and the data from the RAN
challenge. Similarly, a precise aiming of enters the edge cloud layer where cyber-twins accept the
the receiver by beamforming, and tracking
in case of underwater and special purpose data. These cyber-twins act as data loggers, assent owners,
communication are difficult. or virtual representation of the user. Edge clouds, in turn,
Blockchain i. User privacy will be compromised due are connected to the cloud layer, where multiple clouds are
to transparent transactions on which interconnected to form the center of the network
blockchain rely.
ii. Decentralized transactions requires a lot
architecture. The cloud layer consists of resource scheduler,
of time (delay). As a result, achieving orchestrator, communication, computing, and caching
tradeoff between secure communication functions. This cloud layer enables applications to provide
and maintaining the computational services in the edge and cloud at reasonable cost and QoS.
complexity practical is another challenge.
Artificial Intelligence i. Deep learning algorithm requires large
2. Decoupled RAN architecture: Here are distinct APs for
data set offline, and when the data is handling the control and user plane data different from the
complex, it becomes difficult to manage earlier cellular generations. The control plane BS will be a
the system’s operation. macro BS, which a user shall connect to exchange the
ii. Obtaining more practical and credible
training data for physical layer analysis is
control information. These control BSs will be connected to
challenging in a cellular world. the user plane (data) BSs for high-level signaling. In
iii. For DNN model, labeled training data addition, the uplink and downlink traffic are also decoupled
is required, and system has to be trained and handled by separate BSs to the users. Here, the uplink
under no mobility, which is not the
scenario in mobile networks.
BS can be a micro-cell dense deployment near the user to
Edge Intelligence (i) Due to heterogeneous nature of 6G collect the user data at low power. The uplink and downlink
network devices, computing, caching, and base stations will have internal coordination for efficient
communication at the edge (resource communication [104-105].
constrained) will be challenging without 3. Generalized Architecture for 6G: A generalized 6G
proper coordination among the cloud,
edge, and the user terminal. architecture for IoT and vehicular networks is presented in
(ii) AI- algorithms that run at the edge [139]. It consists of three levels, namely, user level
shall be light-weight and flexible.

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composed of smart devices with caching ability. These presents the labeled samples for optimization algorithms.
devices send the sensed data to the base station level, where These can be used to train deep neural networks and later
base stations or APs have edge servers to perform be implemented in the control plane.
scheduling and resource allocation. Finally, a central server 6. Three-Dimensional 6G architecture [4]: The FG-NET
will do the slicing, handover actions at the network level. 2030 has envisioned a 3D architecture for 6G networks,
This architecture will reduce the delay for critical services covering three key aspects, namely, communication
(autonomous cars) by processing and storing at the edge (infrastructure view), intelligence (control view), and
level. However, due to its partially centralized control management (network view). It has different
plane, some non-critical tasks still use cloud processing. communication layers at the infrastructure view ranging
4. A high-level architecture of 6G: A three-level 6G from terrestrial, underwater, aerial, and satellite to enhance
network architecture consists of AI plane, user plane, and the range of communication in 6G networks. In addition,
control plane [140]. In this case, storage, compute, and the authors at the control view presented how 6G networks
networking are done at the same level (in user plane) to will include intelligence to control and optimize the overall
eliminate the hierarchy. The user plane is flat and it is functions of sensing, spectrum access, communication,
defined between an access network and the internet. The storage, and processing with the help of AI, deep learning,
control plane and AI planes are distributed and virtualized and ML. It recommends that the intelligence will be
for various services. Further, the transport network is distributed across various network entities. Finally, in the
virtualized and isolated from the rest by software defined network view, the functions of the overall network have
virtualization. The core network functions are made as been divided as sublayers. They include the application
micro-services and accessible by server-less systems. sublayer, routing, management, spectrum access, and
5. Multi-level architecture for 6G: A three tier architecture physical medium, which resembles the layered IP stack. A
of 6G consists of smart users, edge devices, and the cloud simplified version of the same architecture for 6G has been
[114]. The users implement intelligent decision making proposed in [108].
techniques such as data-driven or model-based techniques 7. Neuroscience based 6G architecture: This architecture is
to predict mobility and traffic patterns. At edge intelligence more of a framework that tries to integrate neuro signals to
level, the mobile edge devices use deep reinforcement emulate the wireless signals to be applied in 6G networks
learning, or deep neural networks to optimize the scheduler [136]. Here, human brain’s intelligence and radiating
for resource allocation to mobile users based on the CSI. properties of wireless signals shall be integrated to enable
Moreover, at the cloud level, having a high capacity central an intelligent communication between the human and
control can train the system with a numerical platform that computers. Recent advances in bio-IoT and implantable-

FIGURE 6. Proposed Network level 6G architecture. the outer world wireless devices and base station or with
another human with similar capability.
communication devices have made us bold to envision
short range 6G network communication, where wireless 8. Proposed architecture: Our proposed 6G architecture
modules implanted inside the human brain acquire consists of devices at the outer layer as shown in Fig. 6.
intelligence from the brain and communicate directly with The devices in this layer gather data, events in the network
and communicate to the next level. Here, IoT nodes,

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cellular users, smart devices, etc., which have been innermost layer, we have the applications for various
connected to the radio access network may have a certain verticals which either provides or receives services from the
level of intelligence by default. Consequently, interference, layers below it. Thus, the proposed network architecture in
channel selection, sensing shall be better managed. We Fig. 6, provides the abstract view of 6G. However, several
have also depicted the paradigm of the cell-free network, other features such as quantum computing, fog nodes,
small cells, and massive MIMO enabled by intelligent security, etc., have not been shown exclusively and shall be
surfaces operating side-by-side as will be the scenario in the potential candidates of 6G architecture.
6G. The arrows in this layer indicate the wireless links.
Further, in the next layer, we have edge devices and cloud VI. FUTURE TRENDS IN 6G
that utilize AI for resource allocation, user management, The 6GFlagship project has identified 11 key areas of 6G
and other optimization tasks. As proposed in [42], we pilot project, and have published white papers in June 2020
considered a distributed edge intelligent architecture which [36,42,44-55,107]. In this section, we summarize the
provides process, store, compute and decision-making overall ambition of some of the key areas such as
facility for independent physical networks. The intelligent localization and sensing, trust and security, UN sustainable
agents at these edge devices learns from the devices to development goals, rural connectivity and networking, edge
assist in better management of the network below it at layer intelligence, machine learning, and 6G business scope as
1. For instance, it could be the selection of wireless channel shown in Fig. 7.
and tuning the parameters accordingly. Here, a centralized
edge node provides backhaul service to all the physical A. LOCALIZATION IN 6G:
networks through these edge clouds, that is shown by the Traditional sensing and localization using GPS or cell
discrete lines. It also includes cloud-RAN and backhaul coordination will become obsolete in future high dense
resources for various use cases. However, all these smart urban settings. In 2030 future networks, KPI related
resources are virtualized. Further, we have various clouds to accuracy must include user’s environment information to
that interconnect the network elements. Finally, at the facilitate accurate positioning. For instance, a use case of

FIGURE 7. Disruptive future trends in 6G. pervasive networking, along with precision localization and
high-resolution sensing to serve specific use cases that
6G networks such as autonomous driving, where high emerge during 2030, requiring accuracy being fine-tuned to
resolution positioning at the cm level is necessary along the cm level. This will enable seamless connectivity,
driving lane or track details to achieve traffic safety [19]. localization, and sensing for context-aware services [19].
Similarly, mobile sensor-based applications that use The 5G NR and mm-wave will offer localization and
location information should include power consumption per sensing features different from the previous generation of
unit distance coverage; integrity and privacy-related KPI cellular networks. Moreover, 6G networks will further
should include location details, malfunctioning nodes, and enhance the localization accuracy leading to high definition
alarms [53]. These requirements ensure that future imaging by the use of THz communication, massive
technologies or devices for 6G networks must be antennas, and RIS [53,91]. As the beamwidth reduces at
accompanied by additional information such as power lower wavelengths (µm-wave), the positioning accuracy
consumption and types of alarms generated during any increases. Next, the inverse relationship between frequency
sensor failure for exact location sensing with emphasis on and device size (antenna) will enable dense packing of
privacy. In addition, localization and sensing of information multiple antennas, which facilities precise angular and
have several applications in future, including robotic direction estimation. In this regard, better channel
surgery, contact tracing during pandemics, VR based estimation algorithms are necessary at THz frequencies to
games, social networking and dating apps, food delivery, sense and localize. Further, a higher data rate of 6G
context-aware marketing, autonomous driving, personal network will enable the sharing of maps between the
navigation, and animal tracking. Specifically, in the case of devices much easier. With the large IRSs, the reflected
the context-aware services, 6G network will automatically wave can provide better localization service by exploiting
learn user requirements by sensing the environment or the near-field effect and analyzing the wavefront. In
location and providing the best QoS and other settings addition, it will remove the need of synchronization
[124]. Consequently, 6G systems will integrate intelligence, between reference stations. However, more precise methods

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are necessary for the real-time localization and positioning based security attacks, as the network can learn all
if the intelligent surfaces are smaller in size [91]. parameters minutely. Therefore, 6G network needs
It should be noted that the existing localization techniques exclusive holistic network security architecture [55].
using ML heavily depend on fingerprinting, regression, and Required security features: The key features should
classification methods. However, more intelligent include: especially, future SIM cards and their security
localization and mapping methods will be necessary for the aspects, and use of asymmetric cryptography, Transport
6G network [53]. By AI- and ML-based frameworks, the Layer Security (TLS) using elliptic curve cryptography
sensing system can be trained to learn from raw data, where (ECC), software and AI-driven security as applicable to
vital information (time and space-based) present with the SDN and NFV. For example, the security model in 6G
noisy radio signal, or weak sensor data can be extracted to networks will consist of a deep learning enabled VNF
analyse the location and sensing patterns for the 6G gateway that monitors the ingress and egress traffic and
network system. Albeit, most of the ML- and DL-based apply filtering policies to detect and prevent potential
techniques need a large volume of structured data for security attacks. In summary, a trust model must define the
training, which may not be available (noisy, random) in tiny rules to collect, process, distribute, and filter data in the
sensor-based applications. Therefore, advanced analysis network.
methods should be introduced to assist in trained
localization. C. 6G FOR SUSTAINABILITY DEVELOPMENT GOALS
As mentioned earlier, localization is also associated with (SDG):
another set of tasks i.e., imaging and sensing which Digitization due to 5G networks will currently address
involves high frequency signals (60GHz). These signals many social issues such as education, environment
when reflected by the objects, the size and dimension of the protection, and hunger. Nonetheless, there exist several
objects can be measured accurately [127]. Besides, problems that require extensive urbanization and
localization also includes imaging using sensors. Here, connectivity. Since 6G networks will bring in user
passive sensors will capture the images and active sensors experience-based hyperdata connectivity, several global
will transmit signals that represent range, angle, and issues especially, with regard to the United Nation’s SDGs,
Doppler with a high resolution and accuracy. For instance, shall be mitigated [86]. The 6G network through its multi-
in case of self-driving cars, radar imaging adds range and faceted communication capability (long and short-range,
Doppler to the multi-dimensional image [53]. 3D connectivity), has the potential to promote global
sustainability, which is mainly due to its seamless
B. TRUSTWORTHY 6G: connectivity and support for a plethora of services. Let’s
How security in 6G different from 5G: The number of see some of the future scopes of 6G networks as regards the
connected devices (IoT, MTC, and mobile users) in 6G promotion of sustainable development goals. For instance,
networks will increase at a galloping rate and density-wise online banking will enable anyone to access financial
ten million devices in a unit square km area [2]. These services with much ease, which will help to eradicate
devices will inherit artificial intelligence and span across poverty. Similarly, online healthcare services will reduce
diversified applications such as banking, industry, the travel time and will easily reach the needy whenever
healthcare, government, transportation, and many more. necessary to promote better healthcare delivery. By having
Due to the dependence on many verticals, 6G networks all-round network connectivity, farmers in rural places can
must enforce a higher-level security in every stage of its make use of digital transactions for their agricultural, and
network to prevent all forms of security attacks. In another home products. We shall implement IoT in food production
instance, we may imagine a hyper connected world, where to improve the yield and to obliterate hunger [93]. With the
a minor compromise in the security settings may lead to aid of 6G networks, all these issues shall be addressed on a
fatality in an automated industry, robotic surgery massive global scale.
performing incorrect incision, etc., [55,50]. Currently, in When we consider zero energy, 6G network will target
5G networks, traditional cryptography will serve most of miniaturization of the devices to increase the power
the needs to secure the data communication across cloud efficiency and energy harvesting, thus improving
and edge architectures. However, a new era of security will environmental performance. For instance, these devices
begin by the inception of quantum computing in 6G may sustain the power generated through everyday
network. For instance, QKD systems facilitate easier activities such as walking, jogging, and household work of
eavesdropping detection that classical cryptography. the device user. This energy shall support the personal
Furthermore, upgrading the level of security is possible information devices like wristband, smart patch which
with quantum secure direct communications (QSDC), monitor a person’s vital body signs from time to time. In
which provides better security over the quantum channel addition, in another scenario, these could cater to
than the QKD or classical methods [120]. In another view, information and entertainment needs through over the top
automation of security functions with ML algorithms at connectivity.
different levels will be essential because of network To support the United Nation’s SDGs, 6G network has
densification. However, there is a threat of reversed ML set its vision to provide an opportunity for the global
society and economy to accomplish its digital dreams [44].

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It includes data connectivity, a strong economy, facilitates will strongly support rural connectivity, environmental
smart healthcare, energy efficiency to name a few among context, and energy aspects of SDGs. In Table 4, we
the 17 SDGs. The 6G vision targets three underpinnings to summarize the KPIs with regard to the 17 SDGs and the use
implement SDGs through various services. They are as cases, as intended in [44].
follows. (i) Addressing the problems of people and society
by providing suitable digital infrastructure to empower D. HOW 6G WILL WIPEOUT DIGITAL DIVIDE?
them. (ii) Context-awareness based on the environment There are several reasons for lack of connectivity in many
which is possible by highly precise localization and sensing remote areas of the world such as absence of infrastructure,
capabilities, online monitoring of resources, and so on. (iii) low income, rough geography, and many more [92]. The
All-round uplifting of the ecosystem of SDGs. Besides 6G network has a strong vision on breaking the digital
these requirements, the fundamental necessity to achieve divide which will in turn promotes sustainability alongside
the goal will be the all-round connectivity and access to the the connectivity. It is estimated that nearly 3.7 billion of
internet. world population is far from reach of internet connectivity
How 6G supports UN-SDGs: Since SDGs spans all sectors [44]. The digital divide gives rise to several other problems
of life, the vision of 6G networks should be multi- such as retarded economic growth, education and
disciplinary. As a result, an open and co-innovation awareness, inhibits the adoption of remote, and advanced
platform for 6G’s technology standardization activities healthcare technologies. It also causes low growth in
which support human life and environment is crucial to modern industrial and new age transportation sectors. The
create an ecosystem that will benefit all stakeholders of the digital divide has not left any geographical regions
UN-SDGs. untouched. In reality, even though, first world nations have
The 6G ecosystem will contribute to the progress and high-quality mobile internet connectivity, there are remote
well-being of various communities in society. For instance, areas of USA, and Europe that experience a low data rate of
6G will provide wireless networking to connect patient, 0.4–1Mbps through wired/wireless connectivity. The
doctor, and medical equipment together in a remote smart situation is much worse in Africa, Brazil, and India [52].
healthcare system. With the aid of 6G network, several Scope of 6G in rural connectivity: Connectivity in tough
digital services could be extended such as education, food terrains, away from the main cities should be simple, low
distribution services, banking, and industry to advance on a cost, and easily achievable. Therefore, mobile broadband is
massive scale. These eventually result in the empowerment the best solution when compared to wired internet [48].
of human life toward achieving a better SDGs. Having said Providing last-mile connectivity through the LEO satellite
this, there will be concerns while targeting the SDGs such will cover a large area. However, it will not be a reasonable
as inclusiveness, data security. For instance, when it comes solution, considering the throughput, latency, and cost.
to data collection, all stakeholders such as hospitals, Instead, usage of large power transmitters (mega cells) in
society, and government must handle data with utmost low dense rural areas will be a viable solution. To achieve
privacy rules for the integrity of the system. Now, 6G this target, new safety rules and power regulations will be
networks play a role in addressing the privacy and security necessary. Alongside, floating mobile base stations like
of data communication. In summary, 6G networks must UAV or balloons will promote mobile data services while
implement actions that promote sustainability to different acting as relays or data cache [52]. Since remote regions
verticals, encourage growth with minimum energy have financial constraints, while providing good QoS,
consumption, and implement zero waste when people, special emphasis on affordability (cost-wise) is mandatory.
machines, and resources are interconnected. Due to the The use of natural power sources such as solar and wind
prevalence of the intelligence in 6G network, it will energy for power grids that operate the backhauls will
improve efficiency and environmental sustainability by enable cost reduction. In addition, cost reduction and
using low energy consuming technologies or devices that resource efficiency could be achieved by confining the
derive the energy from natural activities for their contents to the rural region generated within the locality.
functioning. We have summarized the set of KPIs for all 17 This requires caching the locally generated contents in local
SDGs and their possible use cases, as in Table 4. servers itself and provisioning network slicing. The local
Opportunity for 6G: The use cases of 6G networks must caching will enable cost reduction by minimizing the need
be aligned with the intentions of SDGs, especially the for backhaul connections. Moreover, several data serving
SDGs which can be well supported by ICT infrastructure. schemes can be brought into picture through network
The common aspects such as online financial activities, slicing to enhance connectivity with limited resources [76].
including online banking and online business will promote Regarding the backhaul connectivity, even though visible
economic growth. Furthermore, telemedicine, remote light or microwave seems to be the right candidates, they
mapping of natural resources such as minerals and water may face challenges in rural areas. Therefore, Integrated
bodies are some use cases that improves social and Access and Backhaul (IAB) seems much promising where
healthcare sustainability. When we look at 6G’s diverse the operator uses the part of the spectrum for backhaul and
range of wireless connectivity, edge intelligence, the remaining part for cellular access at a reasonably lower
localization, sensing, and ultra-low energy consumption cost than the former candidates [52]. Thus, 6G networks
shall rely on IAB to reduce the deployment cost and

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improve the resource utilization [107]. With IAB, only a

subset of base stations will carry the backhaul traffic A limiting factor of 5G network is the lack of intelligence
through connected links (fiber/wire); whereas, the in mobile edge computing, which will otherwise facilitate
remaining base stations will be connected through wireless an easy transition into new verticals and services such as
links to transmit the backhaul traffic through multi-hop Industry 4.0, smart mega cities, and intelligent gadgets.
relaying. It is much possible in 6G due to the availability of One of the reasons for the setback is that existing AI
large bandwidth in THz bands where access and backhaul algorithms do consume enormous time and resources. Not
traffic can be multiplexed by suitable scheduling schemes. only that, the production of hardware and AI solutions are
Thereby, reducing the infrastructure cost. The IAB will yet to achieve synchronism. In total, when 5G network is
provide service in sub-6GHz and mm-wave. considered to use cloud driven AI, 6G network will use
Similarly, Low orbit Satellites, UAV, and balloons find edge driven AI [80-81].
useful solutions to extend the range seamlessly. Based on The Edge Intelligence (EI) is an extreme capability to
the communication need, these terminals can be made process the data at the edge. Today, mobile devices have
operational (discontinuous trans-reception) as and at when the high computational capability, storage space, and run
required: thus, reducing the power consumption. petty AI applications. Subsequently, AI will become an
Altogether, non-terrestrial communication will play a key integral part of the 6G network with distributed intelligence
role in 6G networks to reduce the digital divide [52]. In to run standalone and automated operations replacing most
recent trends, edge computing and the caching of local data human interactions. For instance, verticals such as
for local usage, installing micro telecom infrastructure and autonomous cars, ultra-smart healthcare, and modern
integrating it with mobile network operator, and their industries involve complicated tasks with regard to data
maintenance have attained prominence in rural regions. acquisition and computation. Therefore, distributed
Albeit, all these have several challenges, such as financial intelligence at different network entities will be required to
models, frequency regulations, propagation delays, and co- offer optimized services. This forms the foundation for the
existence issues [48]. 6G internet of intelligent things [86]. EI can be viewed
from different directions:
E. WHAT IS THE SCOPE OF EDGE INTELLIGENCE IN (i) data analytics point of view refers to data analysis and
6G: development of solutions at or near the site where the data
The rise of edge computing and ultra-dense node is generated.
deployment or mobile devices led to the emergence of (ii) the network perspective mainly targets the intelligent
mobile edge computing to optimize the computations and functions that are deployed at the edge of the network,
performance in the network. Further, the very nature of comprising the user, tenant, or the network boundary [42].
mobile devices requires the computations to be distributed. Need for software for AI edge: Currently, we lack software
fluidity; without that, precisely locating intelligence in the
network entity and sharing knowledge will be impaired.

TABLE 4

KPI FOR UN SDG AND THEIR USE CASES

UN SDG Socio-Technical KPIs Use Cases
Mobile coverage (area), % of population penetration, % of homes Online banking, digital finance
with internet access, security during online transactions (time to
resolve, cost per issue).
% of population with internet penetration, % of smart phone users. Smart farming, smart food delivery

Latency, data rate, reliability; % of population with digital healthcare Smart healthcare, Robotics Surgery
adoptions, achievable avg. uplink data rate.

% of population with internet penetration, % of ICT ready institutes, Online education, MOOCs
% of learners skilled with online education methods, avg. speed of
internet access (data rate).

% of female population with internet penetration, % of female smart Online education, Online community
phone users, security of online communication. awareness programs, Remote healthcare

% of ICT ready cities and communities, no. of digital awareness Smart water quality monitoring, Smart
programs organized on sanitization. sanitation

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% of population adopted smart energy metering, energy efficiency. Smart metering, smart grids, smart buildings

Mobile coverage, data rate, % of smart phone and ICT penetration, Online business and trade, ICT based services
% of ICT skilled population.

Latency, throughput, connectivity, % of ICT ready cities, population, Smart industry, Smart City, and
and communities. Cost of data.

% of mobile broadband coverage in regions inhabited by disabled; Social networks, online education, online
refugees, low income, women population. Data rate. banking

% of ICT ready cities, population, and communities, energy Smart cities, Smart education, smart
efficiency, cost of data, coverage, reliability. transportation

% of population with internet penetration, % of homes with internet Smart waste management, Smart grid and
access. energy,

% of ICT ready cities, data rate, coverage. Smart air quality, water monitoring, Smart
logistic, Green buildings

Coverage, Frequency, connectivity. Marine environment monitoring,

Coverage, Frequency, connectivity. Online environmental monitoring

% of smart phone and ICT penetration. Online governance, online vigilance, and
justice

% of internet penetration on trade, connectivity, and coverage, user Online collaboration for business
experience.

EI will be useful in several verticals to offer better QoS. For independent decision capabilities with regard to training
instance, when we consider the scenario of self-driving and learning from the data to meet the requirements of 6G
vehicles, these vehicles need to compute and communicate networks will require time to evolve.
many factors, such as inter vehicular distance, roadside Challenges: (i) When we consider a distributed
entities, traffic signs, and vehicles in the nearby lanes. environment, providing intelligence across the edge devices
These data will be communicated to the EI enabled base by gathering all parameters related to resource usage,
station or access points located along the roadside to training, and learning models will be a challenge. (ii)
quickly (low latency) store and process the data and assist Furthermore, the optimum deployment of edge nodes in a
in deciding the load on available frequency bands high-density network and resource allocation is complex.
(spectrum) to facilitate the data transfer from these vehicles (iii) At the edge devices, the action of AI is largely
dynamically. Noticeably, these EI units will also have influenced by the type of precision of input data, especially
access to the central cloud database, which maintains the when the available data is huge, vivid, and needs
overall data from several regional EI systems. Further, classification. Therefore, training models must consider
smart city applications, mobile extended reality (XR) which these challenging factors and rely on synthetic data
requires large data processing and computations, can be generated from generalized adversarial networks to manage
benefited by EI due to local data processing, reduced delay, the data consistency. (iv) With respect to the distributed
resulting in higher data rate, task and sharing, and so on edge devices that handle AI, say mobile phones, the AI
[42]. Nevertheless, the hardware technology to algorithms must be lightweight, and applications must be
accommodate the intelligent processing capabilities on a partitioned between user devices and edge layer for
small edge device with resource constraints is yet to efficient resource management. (v) The software packages
mature. Similarly, software with intelligent, real-time, and for EI contain edge applications that are deployed on the

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edge devices along with virtualization infrastructure. In this issues of 6G networks in real time, while achieving a good
context, the selection of system policies, billing, etc., play a tradeoff between performance and computational time.
key role. (vi) In EI devices, real-time feedback is essential ML at the MAC:
to attain better performance. Consequently, it is necessary ML will find its application in optimal solutions to the
to re-define the real-time feedback by considering the MAC layer tasks such as resource allocation, modulation
online learning and pre-trained models. The training and coding scheme (MCS) selection, handover, and uplink
algorithms should be distributed instead of centralized and power control. When the channel conditions vary due to
must adopt online training models by considering the edge user movement, channel variation the deep reinforcement
device limitations [61,42,80]. learning methods could determine optimal solutions by
learning from the varying inputs. (i) ML for resource
F. HOW MACHINE LEARNING WILL RULE 6G: allocation: In most IoT scenarios the data transmission is
Machine Learning (ML) is a sub-branch of AI which predictable as they follow a specific pattern. As a result, it
assists in the prediction and classification of data based on is easy to predict such patterns and decide the resources to
the trained data. In 6G network, ML will find its application be allocated efficiently with the aid of ML. This reduces the
at different instances of the network, especially, at the network latency, and uplink random access for the devices.
PHY, MAC, Network, and Application layers. We shall Similarly, by allocation of time, the frequency resources for
discuss these applications briefly in this section. From the cell users can be optimized with ML. It can predict the data
earlier discussions on use cases during 6G era, we realize traces in the cell, and network load and allocate time
that interconnected intelligent network components require frequency slots in a flexible manner (flexible duplex) to
ML as a fundamental network requirement to offer value optimize the resources and avoid interferences.
addition to the services, zero-touch optimization, and (ii) Power management: 6G network devices must have
improve the performance. This is because relying purely on seamless battery management capacity. Since MAC layer
mathematical modeling of the wireless system will make controls the access to medium, the radio power is the key
the whole system computationally complex. However, ML factor to be managed. ML can analyze the real-time traffic
can efficiently model the wireless system that could not be patterns inside the cell and data targeted for the neighbor
wrapped under mathematical equations to suit the cells to adjust the load. By this, the network can schedule
requirements of 6G networks. Interestingly, ML will act on users between transmission and sleep states in a power
the vast real-time data received from different use cases efficient way. (ii) Security with ML: Due to the high profile
such as self-driven cars, holographic telepresence, and nature of the 6G network such as high data rate, all-round
intelligently control 6G network [47]. connectivity, and extremely low latency, the data
At the PHY layer, many of the functionalities can be generation will go skyrocket. As a result, to address the
envisioned by mathematical models. However, certain non- various security threats that would arise due to the massive
linear phenomenon such as interference detection and data, the network security must be automated. In this
channel prediction can be efficiently addressed with ML. context, proactive and self-adaptive features of ML will be
Furthermore, the discrete modules such as modulator, promising solutions to automate the security.
demodulator, and the filter will optimize the performance as ML at the Application layer: 6G networks will be
a whole by suitable learning methods in ML. intelligent by integrating context awareness to offer better
When we consider the channel coding process, the user services and multi-agent reinforcement learning to
transmitter and receiver must implement certain coding enhance the overall efficiency. Using a rule-based approach
schemes to safeguard the data against channel disparities. to determine the context configuration for each service
Deep learning is one of the promising methods for class will be tedious. However, ML can predict the context
predicting the appropriate coding length by learning the configurations meaningfully with the help of past service
channel code-word length. Next, synchronization is another choices and modify the configuration to suit the new
aspect which certainly depends on the channel variations, services from the applications. For instance, lets us consider
mobility, and frequency deviations. In this regard, deep an application that monitors the network parameters
neural networks will prove to be beneficial. However, automatically. We know that KPIs need to be maintained
further research is necessary to comment more on this. within the threshold level. Therefore, ML can be used to
Another aspect of ML is the use of deep neural networks detect anomaly with respect to network management,
for positioning. Since the existing positioning methods will security, and many more.
popup accuracy issues when there is no line of sight path Future network architectures must be end-to-end service
due to their dependency on pure mathematical modeling. In providers, where there will be dynamic cooperation
deep learning, fingerprint method uses CSI and received between network segments and communication entities. To
signal strength as learning data. Altogether, several physical ensure all-round ubiquitous connectivity, interoperability
layer optimizations such as beamforming, channel between heterogeneous networks is mandatory.
estimation, and throughput maximization are non-convex Furthermore, efficiency in terms of cost, power, system
and do not yield a good performance with heuristic performance, communication, and connectivity, spectrum
algorithms. Consequently, deep learning (CNN and DNN) usage are necessary.
appears as a boon to solve the physical layer optimization

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The core network to provide on demand service because, 6G networks will use green, zero energy, and zero
deployment consists of SBA, where network functions (NF) emission technologies such as intelligent reflecting surface
will subscribe to network repository function and it offers and high lifetime wireless nodes in a manner that will bring
services to one or more NFs. By, each NF can be new business around building these technologies [23].
independently upgraded or removed to provide network Scenarios: It is anticipated that the following scenarios
slicing. will open up new business opportunities for 6G [50]. Edge
computing, IoT, Robotics, and AI will become the common
G. BUSINESS MODEL FOR 6G: technologies that every electronic gadget will incorporate
5G’s market will revolve around, providing the three key and will be reasonably priced for customers to afford.
metrics for various verticals. Furthermore, in 5G networks, Therefore, these devices could be used to collect a variety
business models changed from monopolized network of data from users and process them locally before remote
operators to distributed local edge micro operators, transmission. Next, network slicing will allow up to 10000
virtualized and software network service providers, and slices under a network operator. This will gear-up revenue
slice managers. Unlike the 5G network, the 6G network generation [23]. Furthermore, the development of
will provide ultimate connectivity between cyber-physical sustainable solutions will empower them to operate as
world in real-time and several upfront KPIs. This will standalone and simplify the lives of people. In this regard,
motivate numerous verticals, technology developers, to find locally sustainable and economical solutions, public-
product and application developers for the future society private partnership projects, distributed cooperative models,
5.0. These market advances will disrupt the conventional and peer-peer business models will be more suitable against
business and invite new stakeholders and investors with the monopolized market at the local level [50]. In addition,
regard to 6G’s communication, storage, and control due to the sparse spread of technology in rural areas,
applications [50]. In addition, 6G network will intertwine manufacturing cheap and inexpensive solutions at the micro
with intelligence, virtualization, local edge operation, level could be an acceptable approach. However, 6G will
spectrum sharing, and a variety of sensing services; overcome the digital divide to promote technology sharing
altogether, it will influence our personal lives and will be an in which a 3D design of a machine can be shared in real-
integral part of society in 2030. As a consequence, it will time with another underdeveloped city that is deprived of
bring in several newer forms of business models and research facilities to manufacture it using its cheap labor
opportunities to generate revenue [16]. and market locally as well as in the place of origin at a
Key trends and uncertainties: Smart grid system for reasonable price than otherwise. This will support a circular
distribution of electricity, or internet will be foreseeing economy and creates a better society both in the rural and
extreme connectivity and self-driven. Considering these urban areas.
applications, revenue models can be planned with the
involvement of public-private-partnership. Next, over the H. ADDITIONAL TRENDS
top (OTT) companies will offer cloud storage and cognitive 1. Cell-Free Access: Cell-less architecture is a concept in
services (AI, UAV as a service, and context aware services) future networks, where the existing paradigm of connecting
along with primary features such as calling and data a user to an access point (gNB) confined to a cell will no
connectivity to compete with the traditional MNOs. This longer be the case. Instead, a cellular user will get
trend will boost innovative business models to attract connectivity from multiple BS without the restriction of cell
customers and improve their profit. The business models boundaries. In a traditional cellular architecture, the users
along with increasing the revenue must even target who are at the edge of the cell will have poor connectivity,
sustainability goals for the benefit of humanity. For which will be addressed in the cell-free architecture. This
instance, 6G’s vision includes providing connectivity for all feature requires tweaking the traditional cell search,
humans; in this context, at least providing mobile internet synchronization, random access, and resource allocation
to everyone in rural areas will solve the problem of digital procedures, to suit the new cell-less access [107,112].
divide. When people around the globe are connected, they Furthermore, in 6G due to the extremely high density of
will have the digital identity that will enable economic mobile users or intelligent devices that require high data
growth [157]. In this regard, data services will attract rates, the coverage of the gNB will be limited since they
monetization. Further, another interesting business operate at very high frequencies, which reduces the
opportunity will be industry automation. When we consider interference. In this context, cell-less architecture is very
Industry 5.0 and beyond, all sensors and machines that useful to provide seamless connectivity. The cell-less
communicate with each other or operated by robots, will system consists of several gNBs distributed in a large
require a private and secure communication network which geographical region provides connectivity to all users
will offer extreme reliability, zero touch assistance, and located using the same frequency. These gNBs will be
operate as standalone networks. More importantly, 6Gs connected to a central processing unit (CPU), which
spectrum sharing, and policy regulations will generate controls them. Normally, a cell-free system is associated
prime revenue to the government and agencies. In addition with MIMO to improve the spatial connectivity. The cell-
to this, digital twins, and FinTech industry will free architecture has several benefits, namely, (i) scalable
revolutionize the business pattern with 6G networks. This is signal processing, (ii) scalable power control, (iii) spectral

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and energy efficiency, and (iv) simple signal processing and 2021[46,99]. Therefore, in the next couple of years, 3GPP
economical system [120]. will initiate the 6G research. It is anticipated that by 2027,
2. Backscatter communication (BsC): It is an interesting the 5G infrastructure market will increase to 47.75bn USD
paradigm for 6G network to achieve extremely high energy by 2027. The top five players in the 5G infrastructure
efficiency (EHEE) of the network when there are an market include Huawei, Ericsson, Samsung, Nokia, and
enormous number of connected devices. For massively ZTE. They have currently shifted their attention toward the
dense distribution of wireless nodes, the use of the battery 6G network due to the enormous potential and benefit that
as a power source will not be feasible due to the challenges the 6G network is anticipated to offer over the 5G network.
involved in recharging or replacing the battery. In this Along the same lines, FCC has decided to promote 6G
scenario, the wireless nodes shall receive radio signals from network research and trials in the THz band by opening a
the ambience passively, leading to battery-free operation 95 GHz -3 THz frequency band for research [99]. Samsung
[123]. The fundamental idea is to use the RF energy that is has anticipated that ITU-R will define the official vision of
incident from the ambience and reflect it back after the 6G network in mid-2021, and the initial
modulation. This method in fact, reduces the burden on the commercialization of 6G network will begin by the end of
constrained device and increases the spectrum efficiency. It 2028 [86]. Recently, from the past 18 months after the first
has applications in short-range and low power 6G wireless summit in March 2019, the academia has
communication scenarios. become aggressive in the early research on the vision,
3. Wireless power transfer: While connecting the massive technologies, challenges, and the future directions of 6G
devices, obtaining the channel state information (CSI) to networks. The global telecom companies have even
know their channel status becomes a tedious task and endorsed this. In the following paragraph, we will list the
consumes a lot of energy. As a result, the quality of major activities in the research and standardization efforts
transmission may get affected if CSI is omitted. However, a by various organizations worldwide.
tradeoff between data communication and power can be Finland: The 6G Flagship program (6Genesis) of the
achieved by wireless power transfer (WPT) and CSI-free University of Oulu in association with other industries and
transmissions. Further, wireless power transfer will be a academic institutes such as Nokia, VTT research center,
possible method to promote sustainability, low emission, Business Oulu, and Keysight technologies are at the
and zero energy consumption among devices in 6G forefront of research groups. They have initiated two 6G
networks [112]. In this context, as applicable to massive network summits and have released 12 white papers on the
IoT nodes, the nods can be made energy harvesting from key research areas of the 6G network [112]. Moreover,
the surrounding. It could be by the use of solar energy, Mediatek has started its research on 6G chipset along with
wind, hydroelectric, or RF signals, etc. The wireless power Nokia in Finland.
transfer using RF involves remotely powering (charging) China: The major players in the 6G network in China
the wireless devices using the RF field. For instance, when include Huawei and ZTE. They have their independent
BS transfer to a user, then the neighbor of that user may use research units aside government-sponsored 6G R&D
the energy in the RF signal to charge itself. It uses far-field promotion and expert group. Their research mainly includes
radiation properties of electromagnetic waves to transmit THz, AI, and blockchain for 6G networks along with other
within a short distance. This has several benefits, such as operators such as China Mobile and China Unicom.
significant increase in the durability and life time of the USA: In Feb 2019, US President Donald Trump US
nodes, reduced energy footprint, auto-charging, and telecom companies gave a call to intensify their research to
contactless charging. launch 6G network at the earliest. From academia, The
A few well-known solutions for wireless energy transfer New York University wireless center, headed by Prof. T.
involve (i) energy beamforming, where a group of high Rappaport, has highly engaged in developing the THz
beam antennas are focused to transmit the energy to a channel modeling and has achieved a 100 Gbps data rates
specific set of nodes using narrow beams. (ii) distributed in its trials [57].
antenna systems to replenish the energy loss during energy South Korea: One of the key telecom players SK
propagation toward the nodes by using power beacons. Telecom, has undertaken 6G network research in the areas
However, there are several challenges involved in energy of THz communication, ultra-massive MIMO, and aerial
transfer. They are (i) ineffectiveness of the support for non- communication. Further, they have collaborated with
line of sight energy transfer, (ii) power transfer for non- Ericsson and Nokia in 6G equipment manufacturing
stationary (mobile) users, (iii) radiation hazards, to list a technology development. Samsung has recently released the
few. white paper on 6G vision emphasizing three aspects:
holographic communication, truly immersive XR, and
VII. 6G RESEARCH WORLDWIDE HITHERTO digital twins [86]. Moreover, LG and KAIST University
While the 5G network is being deployed worldwide, the have developed a 6G network research laboratory to jointly
research and development activities on 6G networks are conduct research in the technology areas of the 6G network.
gearing up both in industry and academia. In March 2020, Japan: NTT-Docomo has released its white paper
3GPP completed the 5G standard release 16, which will be indicating the vision of future 2030 network (6G). It has
followed by release 17 to support all three scenarios in

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focused its research on AI and Cyber physical system to accommodation of reflecting surfaces, which opens another
promote 6G networks. In the process, NTT has area for future research [158]. Next, high precision
demonstrated 100 Gbps at 28 GHz band. In addition, Japan beamforming under high mobility is infeasible. Therefore,
Govt., released 2.04 bn USD to promote R&D. Apart from the location-based steering of the beam looks promising.
these, Toshiba and Tokyo University have initiated 6G Albeit, efficient location-based mobility tracking for
networks research [149]. Similarly, Sony, Nippon, and Intel beamforming requires research attention. Moreover, during
have planned to work together in different fields of 6G the mobility between different access networks with various
technology. protocols, to maintain active communication and
Europe: In Europe, besides Finland, several universities localization, an integrated protocol design is necessary,
namely, University of Dresden and Deutsche Telekom which we lack at the moment.
(Germany) are involved in the research of Tactile internet, Rural connectivity: After the outburst of COVID’19
HCI technologies. Next, University of Padua, Italy and pandemics, the world has gone almost virtual. We noticed
NYU wireless group are also involved in the 6G network that the urban areas sparsely connect to the rural areas, and
research. most of the rural areas have local networks without having
connectivity to the backbone. Therefore, to bridge the gap
VIII. FUTURE EXPLORATIONS of the digital divide, policy makers, technology developers,
After discussing the current trends and future directions, it and service providers shall work together to facilitate the
is essential to lead the research community with hints for availability of modern ICT tools to the unconnected.
further exploration. In this section, we will ponder upon Furthermore, there is a need for awareness among the
some key directions and opportunities. people about using AI, XR, and cloud-based technologies
How to provide security: In 6G network, massive to promote better living and healthcare. Next, with respect
connectivity, heterogeneity, and multi-hop routing for to optical connectivity to alleviate the digital divide, new
communication of user data arises the question of privacy standards are necessary for VLC, and the equipment shall
of data. This is because, in the said context, data will be have dual connectivity comprising of VLC and radio
exposed to multiple entities, while ML requires the use of transceivers [147]. The VLC radio shall also target to
private data for training the data, which increases the provide cost effective services to suit the needs of the
vulnerability of data. The proactive security mechanisms underprivileged population. By considering these potentials
for dynamic networks (high mobility vehicular networks) of VLC regarding the digital divide, major research is
will increase the cost of control signaling. However, 6G necessary to support long range communication, with
networks cannot afford to look for reactive security relatively lower cost than the radio spectrum.
methods that are slower [159]. Therefore, cost effective Analysis of Meta materials and reflecting surfaces:
proactive methods need to be invented. Even though, Undoubtedly, these reflecting surfaces form the key
quantum security seems to be promising, a vibrant research component of 6G networks due to their energy saving and
in this direction is yet to be seen. Therefore, 6G networks harvesting features. Albeit, analytical and electromagnetic
research shall devote more efforts on these security aspects. field modeling to study the non-linear behavior of the phase
Virtualization of radio access interface: Even though 6G response, channel capacity, and spectrum efficiency of
network is distributed, an intelligent supports SDN and these smart reflecting transmitters, needs in-depth study in
visualization are needed. The crucial questions to answer, the near future [144]. Furthermore, the multicarrier
include Will every network element supports various modulation, multi-antenna transmissions, practical direct
simultaneous verticals requirements such as resources, demodulation of the reflected wave at the receiver, and the
latency, QoS, and cloud computing needs? and how do we prototype development are the key areas for future
achieve that? In addition, virtualization in 6G, needs to exploration.
support all radio access interfaces such as THz radio, smart EI: When heterogeneous devices are connected, and all
surface, and quantum radio, which is a great challenge to the intelligence has pushed to the edge, managing various
address. data types, address resource allocation, and modeling the
Vertical Edge Caching: When we consider the terrestrial, network behavior that requires data-driven multi-level
aerial, and space networks (vertically), the satellite distributed algorithms shall be well studied. In addition,
networks will introduce a large delay. Therefore, aerial light-weight AI solutions will be necessary to enhance
network elements such as balloons or HAPs shall act as distributed operations. Moreover, another interesting
data caching and edge computing facilities between domain to explore is selecting different machine learning
terrestrial and satellite networks to reduce the computations models for various verticals as each vertical will have
of satellite networks and support critical services from there multiple KPI requirements.
itself at a reduced delay. This scenario has a wide scope for Sustainable goals: One may readily agree that the 6G
future research with regard to radio resource allocation, network will greatly support SDGs. However, measurement
localization, power efficiency, etc. of social impact due to the penetration of the 6G networks
Mobility and localization: Similarly, cell-free networking requires an in-depth analysis and mapping between 6G
requires precise localization and synchronization between KPIs and the 17 SDGs. First, KPI values for SDGs should
heterogeneous networks along with beamforming and

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 This article has been accepted for publication in a future issue of this journal, but has not been fully edited. Content may change prior to final publication. Citation information: DOI
10.1109/ACCESS.2021.3054833, IEEE Access

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BIOGRAPHY

JAGADEESHA R. BHAT (SM’17–M’19) is an

Associate professor at the Department of Electronics & Communication
Engineering, St. Joseph Engineering College, Mangalore of Visvesvaraya
Technological University, India. He received PhD in Computer Science
from National Tsing Hua University, Taiwan. His research interest
includes Wireless networks, Mobile computing and Next generation
networks.
.

SALMAN ALQAHTANI is currently a Full professor at the department of

computer engineering, college of computer and information sciences, King
Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He serves also as a senior
consultant in computer communications, integrated solutions and digital
forensics for few development companies and government sectors in Saudi
Arabia. Dr. AlQahtani’s main research activities are in Radio Resource
Management (RRM) for wireless and cellular networks (4G, 5G, IoT,
Industry 4.0, LTE, LTE-Advanced, Femtocell, Cognitive radio, Cyber
Sovereignty…) with focus on Call Admission Control (CAC), Packet
Scheduling, radio resource sharing and Quality-of-Service (QoS)
guarantees for data services. In addition, his interests also include
performance evaluation of packet switched network, system model and
simulations and integration of heterogeneous wireless networks. Finally,
my interests also extend to the area of digital forensics.

VOLUME XX, 2017 9

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