6G Wireless Communication Systems: Applications, Opportunities and Challenges

Dear Colleagues,

With the maturity and forthcoming commercialization of the fifth-generation (5G) communication networks, an exponential increase in mobile data demand can be supported, and the varying needs of vertical industries, such as creative, retail, transport, and health, as part of a much broader worldwide revolution in the digital economy. Meanwhile, the total installed base of Internet of Things (IoT) connected devices, such as computers and tablets, is projected to increase to 75.44 billion devices worldwide by 2025, a five-fold increase in a decade. This transition will present a formidable challenge for future mobile communication technology as wireless networks are hitting their physical capacity limits. There is also growing concern about the associated significant increase in energy consumption required to maintain such networks. 

Therefore, it is imperative to develop radical new solutions to support this ever-increasing number of connected devices in smart, energy-efficient ways. To address this, the future 5G and beyond (6G) wireless networks will be a transformative factor for both society and the economy by delivering unprecedented, seamless, massive connectivity to millions of users and interconnected devices. To meet the coming challenges, the sixth generation (6G) mobile network is expected to define the high technical standard of this new spectrum, including energy-efficient transmission techniques.

The objective of this Special Issue is to define the framework of the 6th generation of communication networks, its services and breakthrough technologies. We are soliciting original contributions that have not been published and are not currently under consideration by any other journals. Particular emphasis is placed on radical new concepts and ideas. The topics of interest include, but are not limited to the following:

• Novel AI-based architectures, frameworks, and testbeds for 6G,
• New energy harvesting technologies,
• New antenna array design for massive MIMO,
• Intelligent spectrum management in 5G/6G using AI-assisted blockchains,
• Breakthrough technologies and concepts,
• New network architectures concepts and technologies to harness new spectrum,
• Techniques to improve energy efficiency in a radio network,
• Reconfigurable antennas and devices for the next generation,
• Innovative AI and 6G-enabled user applications,
• AI applications for the physical layer of wireless communications

Dr. Chan Hwang See
Dr. Kelvin Anoh
Dr. Yousef Dama
Prof. Dr. Simeon Keates
Prof. Dr. Raed A Abd-Alhameed
Guest Editors

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