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 To address the question in the article’s title, the authors start by discussing earlier mobile communication systems, beginning with the first analog wireless cellular standards, then moving on to second generation (2G) [or Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM)], passing third generation (3G) and fourth generation (4G), and proceeding to fifth generation (5G).
First, they present each generation’s key achievements in terms of user services, each generation’s technology-related factors of success (called innovations) as well as its relation to regulation, and each generation’s potential deficiencies.
Second, reflecting on this overview, considering their own perception of what users really want, and imagining some of the technological possibilities and innovations ahead, they present a vision for the sixth generation (6G) and its requirements. This vision includes providing ultrahigh bit rates, such as 100 or even 1,000 Gb/s, available only at special sites, and offering services with long range, low bit rate, ultralow power, and long latency (up to 1 s).
In terms of services, they suggest including additional senses and emotions among 6G applications. Also, mobile device battery life should be substantially extended.
Research and development questions as well as suggestions for the technical realization of this vision are also presented. Among the technical solutions, key approaches are machine learning, wireless energy transmission, and optical indoor communications.
Wireless communication has proven to be an unprecedented success story. No other technology so far—not FM radio, not the washing machine, neither television nor the personal computer, and not even the Internet—has managed to attract billions of users in such a short time.
Since the introduction of the first analog communications system in the 1980s, nearly every ten years, a new generation of mobile communication system has been introduced. This article reflects on these different wireless generations from first generation (1G) through 5G.
For each generation, it elaborates the aspects of regulation, services, and innovations. It then highlights what 6G might look like, based on the authors' perception of what users really want, what should be expected from 6G, and what has not been sufficiently addressed so far.
Full article: IEEE Vehicular Technology Magazine, Volume 13, Number 3, September 2018 |
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