Hybrid RF/Optical Wireless Solutions for Terrestrial and Non-Terrestrial 6G Networks
A special issue of Photonics (ISSN 2304-6732). This special issue belongs to the section "Optical Communication and Network".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2026 | Viewed by 36
Special Issue Editor
Interests: free-space optical communication; hybrid RF/FSO systems; non-terrestrial networks; 6G and beyond; CubeSats and nanosatellites; UAV/HAPS-based communications; optical wireless sensor networks; underwater optical wireless communication; sustainable communications; pointing, acquisition, and tracking systems; Internet of Things
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The upcoming sixth-generation (6G) communication networks will integrate heterogeneous technologies to deliver ultra-reliable, high-capacity, and low-latency connectivity across terrestrial and non-terrestrial domains. Hybrid RF/optical wireless communication (OWC) solutions have emerged as key enablers, combining the resilience and ubiquity of RF links with the high data rates and secure transmission capabilities of OWC.
This Special issue focuses on advances, challenges, and innovative solutions in hybrid RF/OWC systems for terrestrial, aerial, and spaceborne platforms. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Hybrid RF/FSO architectures for 6G terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks;
- Mobility management for UAVs, HAPS, CubeSats, and satellites;
- Adaptive beamforming techniques for hybrid RF/FSO links in non-terrestrial networks (UAVs, HAPS, satellites);
- Beam management strategies for ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC) in 6G;
- Resource allocation, scheduling, and optimization in hybrid RF/OWC systems;
- AI/ML-enabled channel modeling, estimation, and adaptive transmission;
- Energy efficiency, sustainability, and green communication strategies;
- Integration of RIS with CubeSats and UAVs for dynamic optical beam reconfiguration;
- Experimental testbeds, prototypes, and demonstrations of hybrid RF/OWC links;
- Quantum-enhanced hybrid networks and secure key distribution schemes;
- Coordination handover for 6G systems;
- Architecture technologies for non-terrestrial networks.
Dr. Hemani Kaushal
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- hybrid RF/FSO communication
- optical wireless communication (OWC)
- non-terrestrial networks (NTN)
- UAV/HAPS/satellite communications
- mobility management
- beamforming and beam management
- reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS)
- optical
- AI/ML for 6G hybrid networks
- channel modeling and turbulence mitigation
- sustainable 6G systems
- quantum communication and security
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