Semantic Communication–Driven Applications in Next-Generation Networks (5G-Advanced/6G)
A special issue of Electronics (ISSN 2079-9292). This special issue belongs to the section "Microwave and Wireless Communications".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 March 2026 | Viewed by 15
Special Issue Editors
Interests: semantic communications; AI-native networks; 6G non-terrestrial networks; integrated sensing and communications
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: Internet of Things; vehicular networks; massive-MIMO precoding; artificial intelligence; UAV communication; channel estimation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The rapid development of 5G-Advanced and the vision of 6G have brought unprecedented challenges and opportunities for communication systems. Traditional communication paradigms are built upon Shannon’s bit-level accuracy, with the aim of reliably transmitting symbols and packets regardless of their semantic value. However, emerging applications such as autonomous systems, extended reality, industrial IoT, smart healthcare, and human–machine interactions demand task-oriented performance and goal-driven communication efficiency, rather than mere bit fidelity. To meet these requirements, semantic communication has emerged as a disruptive paradigm that focuses on transmitting the meaning, intent, and context of messages, thereby significantly improving spectrum utilization, energy efficiency, and task-level robustness in complex environments.
This Special Issue aims to advance the theoretical foundations, algorithmic innovations, and application-driven research on semantic communication for next-generation networks. By combining artificial intelligence, machine learning, and large language/multimodal models, semantic communication systems can jointly design source–channel coding, integrate sensing with communication, and optimize cross-layer protocols. These innovations are aligned with the scope of Electronics, which emphasizes interdisciplinary advances in electronic systems, circuits, and communication technologies. This Special Issue will not only highlight fundamental theories and metrics but also explore system-level designs, prototypes, and standardization pathways that bridge research with practice.
We welcome both original research articles and comprehensive reviews that cover, but are not limited to, the following themes:
- AI-native semantic encoders/decoders and joint source–channel coding;
- Large model-driven semantic compression, representation, and inference;
- Task-oriented performance metrics, datasets, and benchmarks;
- Cross-layer semantic communication design in PHY/MAC/network layers;
- Edge intelligence, federated learning, and resource-aware inference;
- Semantic communication for integrated sensing and communication (ISAC);
- Digital twin-assisted semantic communication frameworks;
- Semantic communications in non-terrestrial networks (LEO satellites, HAPS, and UAVs);
- Trust, privacy, and security issues in semantic pipelines;
- Testbeds, prototypes, and standardization-aligned architectures.
By providing a platform for interdisciplinary discussions, this Special Issue seeks to foster collaboration across academia, industry, and standardization bodies, accelerating the realization of semantic communication–driven next-generation networks.
We look forward to receiving your contributions.
Dr. Tao Hong
Dr. Fei Qi
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- semantic communication
- task-oriented metrics
- joint source–channel coding
- edge intelligence and federated learning
- integrated sensing and communications (ISAC)
- digital twin networks
- non-terrestrial networks (satellite/HAPS/UAV)
- 5G-Advanced/6G
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