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1、DRIVING 5G-ADVANCED TO 6GINTRODUCTIONA new cellular generation is typically commercialized every 10 years and brings new experiences,faster access speeds,and more value for both consumers and enterprises.These new cellular generations bring improvements that address societal and business challenges,

2、and help improve both lifestyle and business profitability.2G introduced mobile voice and Short Messaging Service(SMS),3G introduced mobile data,4G mobile broadband,and 5G a consistent data fabric to meet the high demands of the mobile network.Figure 1 provides a summary of cellular generation stand

3、ards and their commercialization,from 2009 to 2028.A typical lag between the completion of a new generation standard and implementation of the first network is less than a year,and in the case of 5G,even before the full standard was fully frozen.Release 15s early drop was frozen in March 2018,SK Tel

4、ecom launched 5G in April 2019,and the late drop,or the full 5G Release 15 specification,was released in June 2019.The path to 1 billion subscribers is also shrinkingit took 6 years for 4G to achieve this milestone,whereas 5G achieved the same in just 3 years.5G saw an acceleration in the beginning

5、of the deployment,which ABI Research refers to as“foundational 5G,”and the industry is now experiencing a slower,measured adoption of 5G-Advanced.CONTENTSINTRODUCTION.15G AND 5G-ADVANCED AS THE FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE.2BRIDGING THE IMT-2030 VISION WITH 3GPP SPECIFICATIONS.36G USAGE SCENARIOS:IMPRO

6、VEMENTS AND NEW ENTRIES.3THE RATIONALE AND REQUIREMENTS OF THE IMT-2030 VISION.43GPP SPECIFICATION TIMELINE AND WORK AREAS.5MAPPING 6G USE CASES TO THE ITU VISION.6CRITERIA AND KPIS NEEDED TO BRIDGE THE TWO DOMAINS.6NEW 6G USE CASES.8INTEGRATED SENSING AND COMMUNICATIONS .8POTENTIAL 6G ISAC USE CASE

7、S AND TECHNOLOGIES.9POTENTIAL NATIVE AI AND UBIQUITOUS INTELLIGENCE USE CASES .10POTENTIAL NATIVE AI USE CASES AND TECHNOLOGIES.11UBIQUITOUS CONNECTIVITY.12OTHER TECHNOLOGY TRENDS.13SUPPORT FOR NEW SPECTRUM BANDS,INCLUDING SUB-THZ.136G ROADMAP.14CONCLUSION.15Dimitris Mavrakis,Senior Research Directo

8、r Malik Saadi,Vice President,Strategic TechnologiesDRIVING 5G-ADVANCED TO 6GDRIVING 5G-ADVANCED TO 6GFigure 1:Cellular Generation Development and Commercialization (Source:ABI Research)5G progressed what 4G started:consistent mobile broadband that can be used to create new applications.However,5G wa

9、s also positioned to address enterprise requirements,including private 5G,network slicing,Multi-access Edge Computing(MEC),reliable and low-latency connectivity,and more.It has not yet achieved success in the enterprise domain,attributed in part to the successful deployment of Non-Standalone(NSA)sys

10、tems,but 5G-Advanced is building on the foundation of 5G to improve enterprise 5G use cases.5G AND 5G-ADVANCED AS THE FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE5G has excelled in the consumer domain and 5G-Advanced is now being designed with enterprise-specific features that will allow enterprise success.These inclu

11、de Reduced Capability(RedCap),ambient Internet of Things(IoT),network improvements for Augmented Reality(AR)/Virtual Reality(VR),more use of Artificial Intelligence(AI)throughout the network,and many new features.5G-Advanced,and even parts of foundational 5G,are being considered for the next wave of

12、 innovation to be included in 6G.As our previous whitepaper discussed,the biggest priority for 5G-Advanced is to monetize existing 5G networks beyond the consumer domain and start creating large-scale opportunities in the enterprise space for mobile operators and infrastructure vendors.Releases 15,1

13、6,and 17 introduced,improved,and finalized several new enterprise-specific features,including network slicing,integration of private and public networks(including Public Network Integrated Non-Public Networks(PNI-NPNs),Non-Terrestrial Network(NTN)support,Sidelink,enhanced positioning,and even use ca

14、ses or applications specific to each enterprise vertical.This means that mobile operators are now familiar with the capabilities of enterprise 5G,and the ecosystem is preparing to create devices and applications that utilize the new standard.However,for all of these to truly become the foundation fo

15、r 6G,it is necessary to align 6G technology development with the most relevant future vision,in this case IMT-2030 as set by the International Telecommunication Union(ITU).Commercial activityStandards2008201220162020202420282032Release 8March 2009Release 10June 2011Release 13March 2016Release 15Earl

16、y drop:Mar 2018Main drop:Sep 2018Late drop:June 2019Release 18June 20246GRelease 212029First LTE network Sweden,December 20091bn subscriptionsend 20151bn subscriptionsend 2022First 5G networkSouth Korea,April 20194G5GRelease 19End 2025DRIVING 5G-ADVANCED TO 6GBRIDGING THE IMT-2030 VISION WITH 3GPP S

17、PECIFICATIONSITU is an agency of the United Nations(UN)responsible for Information and Communication Technologies(ICTs).The ITU-R(radiocommunication)group specifies the International Mobile Telecommunications(IMT)series of global standards.In the past,this has included IMT-2000(for which 3G was acce

18、pted as a suitable technology),IMT-Advanced(4G),IMT-2020(5G),and finally IMT-2030 for upcoming 6G technologies.The relationship between the ITU and The 3rd Generation Partnership Project(3GPP)is an especially important one:the first creates the requirement and use cases,whereas the latter creates th

19、e network specifications that fulfill these requirements.6G USAGE SCENARIOS:IMPROVEMENTS AND NEW ENTRIESIMT-2030 vision discussions consist of organic enhancement and the introduction of new features.5G has already introduced three use cases:Enhanced Mobile Broadband(eMBB),Ultra Reliable Low Latency

20、 Communications(URLLC)and Massive Machine Type Communications(mMTC),each addressing different requirements and even enterprise markets.6G builds and enhances these 5G features to include more,as shown in Figure 2.Figure 2:IMT-2030 Usage Scenarios and Extension from IMT-2020(5G)(Source:ABI Research)S

21、ection 3 covers the new IMT-2030 usage scenarios in detail,but 6G will also introduce important improvements over 5G.This paper does not describe or analyze these improvements in detail,but outlines them in summary below:1)Immersive communication will provide a consistent mobile broadband fabric for

22、 all use cases,including data-heavy applications such as immersive video communications.Improvements in this space also include discussions about holographic communications in 6G that aim to blend the physical with the virtual world.2024 ABI Research The material contained herein is for the individu

23、al use of the purchasing Licensee and may not be distributed to any other person or entity by such Licensee including,without limitation,to persons within the same corporate or other entity as such Licensee,without the express written permission of Licensor.5 CR-IDCC-121:DRIVING 5G-ADVANCED TO 6G fi

24、nally IMT-2030 for upcoming 6G technologies.The relationship between the ITU and The 3rd Generation Partnership Project(3GPP)is an especially important one:the first creates the requirement and use cases,whereas the latter creates the network specifications that fulfill these requirements.2.1.6G USA

25、GE SCENARIOS:IMPROVEMENTS AND NEW ENTRIES IMT-2030 vision discussions consist of organic enhancement and the introduction of new features.5G has already introduced three use cases:Enhanced Mobile Broadband(eMBB),Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communications(URLLC)and Massive Machine Type Communications(

26、mMTC),each addressing different requirements and even enterprise markets.6G builds and enhances these 5G features to include more,as shown in Figure 2.Figure 2:IMT-2030 Usage Scenarios and Extension from IMT-2020(5G)(Source:ABI Research)Section 3 covers the new IMT-2030 usage scenarios in detail,but

27、 6G will also introduce important improvements over 5G.This paper does not describe or analyze these improvements in detail,but outlines them in summary below:1)Immersive communication will provide a consistent mobile broadband fabric for all use cases,including data-heavy applications such as immer

28、sive video communications.Improvements in this space also include discussions about holographic communications in 6G that aim to blend the physical with the virtual world.Extension of the 5G TriangleeMBB Immersive CommunicationmMTC Massive CommunicationURLLC Hyper Reliable and Low Latency Communicat

29、ionNew AreasIntegrated Sensing and CommunicationIntegrated AI and CommunicationUbiquitous Connectivity4 Overarching AspectsSustainabilityConnecting the UnconnectedSecurity/Privacy/ResilienceUbiquitous IntelligenceIMT Framework for 2030DRIVING 5G-ADVANCED TO 6G2)Massive communication is an extension

30、of 5G mMTC and aims to extend the ability of cellular networks to connect more sensors and devices for an even wider range of use cases and applications.3)Hyper reliable and low latency communication will build on 5G capabilities to include reliable and deterministic network capabilities for even mo

31、re stringent and specialized use cases.The IMT-2030 requirements are indeed future-looking and ambitious,aiming to introduce completely new features into mobile networks,including ubiquitous intelligence,security,and ubiquitous connectivity,even for rural areas.The task is up to 3GPP to address thes

32、e requirements and specify which technologies will be used to fulfill them.THE RATIONALE AND REQUIREMENTS OF THE IMT-2030 VISIONThe ITU-R Working Party 5(WP 5D)is responsible for terrestrial mobile communications standards and the development of the IMT-related recommendations,and created the framew

33、ork recommendation that was approved in November 2023 for future IMT-2030 technologies.Figure 3 illustrates the capabilities that future technologies will need to achieve to be labeled IMT-2030 capable.Figure 3:IMT-2030 Capabilities(Source:ITU-R)These capabilities are put in place by the ITU to prom

34、ote relevant Research and Development(R&D)and provide the rest of the industry with an achievable target.The bottom part of Figure 3 is an extension of 5G,or an improvement on what has already been deployed commercially.This illustrates some maturity in the standards making process;the target for th

35、e new generation should not be higher peak speeds or higher average data rates because both have already been achieved with 5G.Tangible,real-life improvements for consumers and enterprises are So called“Palette diagram”DRIVING 5G-ADVANCED TO 6Gbeing introduced as new features,including better covera

36、ge,sensing,positioning,sustainability,and interoperability.To achieve this,the IMT-2030 vision expects existing 5G systems,and the specifications,to be upgraded with new usage scenarios.3GPP SPECIFICATION TIMELINE AND WORK AREAS3GPP is a global partnership project and collaboration effort,with all g

37、lobal Standards-Setting Organizations(SSOs)agreeing to collaborate to produce worldwide standards for mobile networks.At 3GPP,stakeholders from around the world meet to decide and distill years of research into commonly agreed upon technical specifications that later become standards and,eventually,

38、the hardware and software that powers the mobile telecoms market.It should be noted that 3GPP itself is not an SSO,but a partnership project that consists of other SSO members.3GPP specifications are shared with multiple SSOs(e.g.,the European Telecommunications Standards Institute(ETSI)in Europe an

39、d the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions(ATIS)in the United States),which then become national standards.3GPP is currently focusing on 5G-Advanced,with Release 18 about to be published and Release 19 in development,while ongoing work continues for 6G and subsequent releases.The provi

40、sional timeline in Table 1 outlines the next steps for 6G.Table 1:IMT-2030 Capabilities(Source:ETSI)DateActivityMay 2024First workshop on 6G use casesMarch 20253GPP-wide workshop(TSG-wide)Right before Release 19 functional freezeJune 2025System-wide studies published in Release 20 RAN and SA package

41、s approved2028 to 20296G drop of normative specification published in Release 23GPP aims to produce one drop for the 6G specification,contrary to 5G,which came to market in three drops,including early,main,and late.The 6G specification is expected to be frozen with the full systems specification bet

42、ween 2028 and 2029.3GPP work areas for 6G are not yet finalized,but are expected to follow previous 3GPP structures that split work between the Radio Access Network(RAN),Service and System Aspects(SA),and Core Network and Terminals(CT)working groups.Although the exact work areas have not yet been fu

43、lly specified for 6G,some existing work packages hint at the future allocation of work areas.For example:1)Release 19 TR 22.837:Study on Integrated Sensing and Communication a)Responsible Group:SA12)Release 18 TR 38.843:Study on AI/ML for NR Air Interface b)Responsible Group:RAN13)Release 16 TR 26.9

44、28:Extended Reality(XR)in 5G c)Responsible Group:SA44)Release 16 TR 38.821:Solutions for NR to support Non-Terrestrial Networks(NTN)d)Responsible Group:RAN3DRIVING 5G-ADVANCED TO 6GExisting work items in 3GPP will extend to cover 6G specifications,including AI,Integrated Sensing and Communications(I

45、SAC),and the use of satellites for global coverage.The same 3GPP work areas and working groups are likely to perform the 6G study phase as well.MAPPING 6G USE CASES TO THE ITU VISION3GPP has not yet begun specifying which use cases it will enable with its specifications and technologies,but it is po

46、ssible to catch a glimpse into the future by looking at its market representation partners.In this case,the NGMN Alliance(NGMN),an association of mobile operators,vendors,and research institutes,has created a provisional 6G use case document with sample use cases that will likely be further explored

47、 and prioritized.Figure 4 illustrates these current use cases.Figure 4:Provisional 6G Use Cases,Compiled by the NGMN Alliance(Source:NGMN)These use cases map closely to the IMT-2030 usage scenarios,so they are very likely to be used in 3GPP as the target for new technologies and specifications.The m

48、iddle two pillars are largely positioned toward enterprise use cases,including manufacturing(robots),healthcare,industry,and mapping or positioning.To ensure that the technologies developed address these use cases successfully,it is necessary to create criteria and Key Performance Indicators(KPIs)th

49、at interface between the two.Other regional alliances have also gathered input on their member priorities to support the formation of a global 6G vision.For example,North Americas Next G Alliance published its 6G Applications and Use Cases report that highlights many of the same needs,including robo

50、tics and multi-sensory Extended Reality(XR),to provide support for critical services and improve everyday living experiences.CRITERIA AND KPIS NEEDED TO BRIDGE THE TWO DOMAINSThe R&D community,consisting of researchers,industry,and academia,is already discussing potential 6G use cases and their rela

51、ted requirements.This has resulted in some provisional KPI values for 6G,such as those from Chinas IMT-2030 6G Promotion Group,as presented in Table 2.DRIVING 5G-ADVANCED TO 6GTable 2:6G KPIs and Target Ranges(Source:IMT-2030 6G Promotion Group(China)KPITarget Range(comparison with previous standard

52、s)KPITarget Range(comparison with previous standards)Average user data rate Gbps 10s of Gbps(10X to 100X compared to 5G)Area traffic capacity 0.110 Gbps/m2(10X to 1,000X compared to 5G)Peak data rate 100s of GbpsTbps(5X to 100X)Connection density 107108/km2(10X to 100X)Air interface latency 0.11ms(1

53、X/10X)Mobility 1,000 km/h(2X)Reliability 99.99999%(100X)Coverage Extension to global coverageSensing/positioning accuracy Cm-levelSpectrum efficiency 1.5X to 3XEnergy efficiency 20X compared to previous generationsCost efficiency Low cost in network construction and O&MTrustworthiness Balanced secur

54、ity,durable privacy protection,and advanced system resilienceThe list in Table 2 summarizes the KPIs and targets used in previous wireless generations and will most likely be utilized for 6G as well.However,to make 6G successful,it is necessary to target prioritized,practical,and monetizable use cas

55、es,rather than aim for faster speeds,lower latencies,higher mobility,and connection density.Moreover,focusing on practical use cases and reducing optionality will likely make 6G more successful than 5G,which was designed through a“single design fits all verticals”approach that led to significant opt

56、ionality and complexity,ultimately making it challenging to convert to practical deployments for industry verticals.In other words,if 6G is measured using the traditional KPIs used for previous generations and planned with this“single design”approach,it will be perceived as a better version of 5G wi

57、th enhanced performance,but not an innovative network enabling brand new use cases.To make 6G successful,particularly for the enterprise sector,3GPP will need to conduct research on enterprise requirements,identify key markets,collaborate with key stakeholders and enterprise technology supply chains

58、,validate demand,and create test models for these markets.Establishing a longer,refined,and actionable list is beyond the scope of this paper and requires considerable research that is ongoing in industry groups like the Next G Alliance.However,it is necessary to conduct this research proactively an

59、d support the participation of new vertical industries in 3GPP standards.The 3GPP SA6 working group has led these efforts in previous releases and expanding the reach and scope of SA6 may be vital for the success of 6G in the enterprise sector,and the successful application of the novel technologies

60、 being considered for 6G.Enterprise stakeholders would largely benefit from becoming partners and an intrinsic part of the 6G development process.For example,to ensure the success of 6G in manufacturing,3GPP stakeholders would certainly benefit from stakeholders perspectives on how factory floors op

61、erate,what protocols are used to share data,how tasks are commissioned,what bottlenecks or challenges these industries are facing,and how cellular systems should be designed as platforms these companies can use.In 5G,these issues were accounted for,but the adaptation of 5G took place and became the

62、focus of industry organizations,such as 5G-ACIA for manufacturing and 5GAA for automotive,after the standard was completed.DRIVING 5G-ADVANCED TO 6GNEW 6G USE CASES6G has the potential to introduce a plethora of novel technologies and topics,many of which have not been developed for mobile networks

63、or commercially deployed in any market.Some of these are already being discussed for 5G-Advanced,possibly paving the way for their introduction in 6G.It is important to identify the primary use cases for 6G to help determine the relevant and exciting technologies that can build upon current technolo

64、gies for 5G systems.Identifying these early important use cases,including the context of using AI and sensing technologies,whether that be for network performance enhancement,network automation,or for supporting AI-driven services and sensing-based applications,will contribute to making 6G systems m

65、ore commercially successful from day one.The following section illustrates a few of these new concepts that may further enhance how both consumers and enterprises use these networks.INTEGRATED SENSING AND COMMUNICATIONS ISAC is a new concept in the cellular network,aiming to combine the current comm

66、unication model of mobile network operation with radar-like sensing capabilities.While there have been discussions and several academic and R&D studies on Joint Communications and Sensing(JCAS)in the past,ISAC is a new entrant in the cellular technology race.As with any new technology,ISAC requires

67、considerable work to be done before it is commercially ready.The following list outlines a few of these activities:1)Sensing and Communication in One Technology Platform:Currently,sensing and communications are performed by different systems,each operating through its own spectrum and hardware/softw

68、are platforms.6G aims to create a system that can perform both sensing and communication using shared radio hardware and existing spectrum allocated to mobile networks.2)Processing and Algorithms:There is considerable work to be done to distinguish between communication and sensing signals,develop a

69、dvanced hardware that can separate the two,and create protocols to ensure the system operates in an efficient,secure,and sustainable manner.A completely new modulation and coding scheme,as well as multiplexing scheme,may be necessary to allow for ISAC capabilities in 6G.a)For example,full duplex is

70、being considered for 6G,which translates to self-interference cancellation.This will allow the simultaneous transmission of both transmit and receive paths,which will effectively double the communication bandwidth.b)Such techniques may be necessary because sensing will require radio resources;this m

71、ay necessitate a compromise between performance,capacity,and sensing capabilities.3)Applications:Additional comprehensive research is needed for ISAC-enabled applications so that there is a clear Return on Investment(ROI)plan before the technology is commercially launched.There remains ground to cov

72、er to fully understand the level of investment required to enable ISAC use cases of commercial interest,especially for larger-scale deployments.DRIVING 5G-ADVANCED TO 6GNevertheless,ISAC could be seen as a natural extension of existing 5G systems for many reasons,including support for 5G positioning

73、:1)Mobile radio networks are distributed computing platforms that are nearly ubiquitous in urban areas and can be used as a sensing platform.2)Massive Multiple Input,Multiple Output(mMIMO)and beamforming,in addition to cellular positioning capabilities,enable the precise tracking of users and can se

74、nse the environment with directionality in mind.Extending a 5G networks current beamforming capability to include sensing may be the next frontier in mMIMO capabilities.Advanced adjacent concepts in sensor fusion,tracking algorithms,AI/Machine Learning(ML),data processing,and computing platforms wil

75、l allow ISAC to become commercially viable.ISAC is certainly an ambitious addition to 6G,but a very suitable,innovative,and valuable one.Sensing information can also support other use cases discussed for 6G,such as digital twinning of the physical environment,remote control,automation,and much more

76、efficient and possibly accurate positioning.It remains to be seen whether use cases and applications for ISAC become popular enough with enterprises,which may stimulate new investment in 6G deployment.For example,there are demos of ISAC being introduced in an existing mMIMO active antenna,which allo

77、ws 5G communication and also senses drones in the airspace directly above a city.This could enable delivery drone tracking and ensure that delivery companies conform to regulations and air traffic rules.POTENTIAL 6G ISAC USE CASES AND TECHNOLOGIESOf all 6G features that are currently being discussed

78、,ISAC has the most innovation potential.Figure 5 illustrates a few applications and technologies that could be empowered by ISAC.Figure 5:Potential 6G ISAC Applications and Technologies(green=high priority,yellow=lower priority,red=longer term)(Source:ABI Research)DRIVING 5G-ADVANCED TO 6GSome of th

79、ese use cases include object detection and object tracking,which includes tracking objects using existing cellular infrastructure,such as drones delivering packages in an urban environment.Other use cases that are being considered include:security,navigation,high-precision positioning,activity detec

80、tion and movement tracking(e.g.,posture/gesture recognition,fall detection,and vehicle/pedestrian detection),environmental monitoring(e.g.,rain/pollution detection),and providing sensing data/information on surroundings for AI,XR,and digital twin applications.3GPP has discussed the use of object sen

81、sing/detection,activity detection,and movement tracking in use cases that include smart homes,smart cities,Unmanned Aerial Vehicles(UAVs),smart transportation,autonomous driving,and smart factories.Most ISAC use cases discussed today focus on object tracking and will gradually evolve to improve netw

82、ork operation;both are usage scenarios grounded in todays network use.As ISAC is deployed on a larger scale,more innovative use cases will surface,including environmental monitoring and biosensing.POTENTIAL NATIVE AI AND UBIQUITOUS INTELLIGENCE USE CASES AI and ML technologies are now finding their

83、way into many industries,and the telecommunications business is no exception.The industry is already looking at ways of implementing these technologies across the entire infrastructure stack to address a number of use cases,from the radio access layer through the application and service layers.As th

84、e telecommunications industry evolves toward 6G,the deployment of AI is expected to play a pivotal role in unlocking the full potential of this next-generation network.The technology will be a critical enabler in realizing the 6G vision,allowing the network to dynamically adapt to changing user dema

85、nds,optimize network resources,and enable the monetization of innovative services and applications.The integration of AI and 6G represents a transformative shift that will redefine how we interact with and experience the digital world.6G networks are poised to leverage AI across three main families

86、of use cases:network optimization and automation,customer experience and service enablement,and business transformation and monetization.These use cases highlight the transformative potential of AI in shaping the 6G ecosystem.Network Management and OptimizationThe network optimization and automation

87、 domain necessitates the use of AI for enabling 6G network management,reducing operational costs through autonomous operations,lowering carbon emissions,and enhancing user experience via improved network performance.Key use cases include dynamic spectrum allocation,intelligent radio resource allocat

88、ion,beamforming optimization,beam tracking,interference management,network slicing,traffic steering,self-healing networks,autonomous network management and orchestration,and network energy efficiency enhancement.While AI framework implementation for this domain may initially be vendor-specific based

89、 on providers needs,this approach risks substantial market fragmentation,hindering interoperability between equipment vendors and leading to potential vendor lock-ins,making it challenging to integrate with other vendors offerings.DRIVING 5G-ADVANCED TO 6GTo mitigate these risks and foster an open,i

90、nteroperable 6G ecosystem,standardization bodies must develop guidelines or reference architectures defining common interfaces,data models,and best practices for integrating AI capabilities in a vendor-neutral,interoperable manner,while allowing flexibility and innovation from service providers and

91、vendors.Customer Experience and Service EnablementThis type of use cases focuses on the application of AI to enhance the user experience and enable new 6G-powered services.The goal of these use cases is to leverage AI together with 6G capabilities to create more engaging,immersive,and customized exp

92、eriences for end users.While 6G standards may provide some recommendations or guidelines on best practices for implementing this type of use case,these recommendations will not be perceived as essential or mandatory requirements within the core 6G standards.Service providers will have the flexibilit

93、y to integrate AI-powered customer experience features and services based on their specific needs and priorities.Typical examples of use cases belonging to this domain include personalized content delivery,intelligent virtual assistants,AR/VR applications,highly accurate location and asset tracking

94、services,autonomous driving,content recommendations,and remote healthcare applications.Business Transformation and MonetizationThis domain encapsulates AI use cases that are key for unlocking new opportunities for growth,driving new revenue streams,and enabling operators to differentiate their 6G se

95、rvices.Typical use cases in this domain include dynamic pricing and hyper-personalized services,enabling service providers to create new type of services,based on quality of service and differentiated offerings.These AI-powered use cases could be implemented over 6G networks without needing to direc

96、tly embed the AI capabilities within the 6G standards.However,these use cases may benefit from leveraging standardized network interfaces and Application Programming Interfaces(APIs)to better tap into the full capabilities and resources of the 6G network.It is important to note that many of these AI

97、-driven business transformation and monetization use cases could also be implemented over existing 5G networks without necessarily requiring any significant modifications to the network architecture.The flexibility of 5G networks,notably 5G-Advanced,allows for integrating AI capabilities using stand

98、ardized APIs and interfaces.This enables service providers to begin exploring and deploying AI-powered business models and revenue generation opportunities even before the widespread rollout of 6G networks.POTENTIAL NATIVE AI USE CASES AND TECHNOLOGIESLike ISAC,native AI implemented in 6G networks c

99、an unlock a variety of use cases,including network optimization and new services.Apart from implementing centralized AI platforms that can be applied to multiple use cases,native AI will likely become a platform for the application of third-party use cases.Figure 6 illustrates a few of these network

100、-centric and new applications and technologies.DRIVING 5G-ADVANCED TO 6GFigure 6:Potential 6G Native AI Applications and Technologies(green=high priority,yellow=lower priority,red=longer term)(Source:ABI Research)The most prominent potential applications for native AI in 6G include:1)Distributed Com

101、puting:Native AI enables the dynamic deployment and migration of application and network function workloads across 6G distributed computing,which extends across devices,the edge,and the cloud.2)Adaptive Trust and Security:Native AI can be applied to detect suspicious behavior and predict threats in

102、real time to go beyond zero-trust toward fully trustworthy networks.3)Autonomous Network Optimization:This includes optimizations of slicing,spectrum allocation,traffic routing,and interference management.4)RAN Optimization:AI applications can lead to enhanced efficiencies(e.g.,intelligent beamformi

103、ng and scheduling of resources)and in the case of Open RAN,automated optimization through xApps and rApps across multiple disaggregated and multi-vendor network elements.Intelligent beamforming includes the optimization of dynamic spectral efficiency in network-side radio implementations.5)ISAC Appl

104、ications:These include AI sensor fusion and the processing and control of integrated sensing and communications networks.Like ISAC,the majority of potential native AI applications for 6G being discussed today are focused on network optimization,which builds the foundation for innovation in the futur

105、e.UBIQUITOUS CONNECTIVITYThis part of 6G is arguably one of the most ambitious and has never been achieved by previous networks:seamless,uninterrupted connectivity throughout urban and rural environments,DRIVING 5G-ADVANCED TO 6Gincluding indoor and outdoor locations.5G-Advanced has already initiate

106、d this work process with NTNs,such as support for satellite constellations,and at the same time,progressed commercial developments in the market to allow Low Earth Orbit(LEO)constellations to connect to smartphones directly.6G will be designed as a“network of networks,”bringing together heterogeneou

107、s access technologies,including satellite,cellular,and even Wi-Fi to create a consistent fabric of connectivity for end users.5G was designed in the very same way,but from a device perspective,that enables it to connect handsets,industrial machines,IoT sensors,and much more.6G will augment this valu

108、e proposition on the network side.OTHER TECHNOLOGY TRENDSSUPPORT FOR NEW SPECTRUM BANDS,INCLUDING SUB-THZIn the 5G standard,spectrum is segmented into two categories:sub-6 Gigahertz(GHz)and Millimeter Wave(mmWave).Sub-6 GHz spectrum is widely used to balance broad network coverage and communication

109、capacity,and mmWave has been designed to cater to use cases that require much higher bandwidth and capacity.3GPP has started assessing Frequency Range 3(FR3)bands,which are under consideration for WRC-27,while relevant studies have already begun in ITU-R.6G KPIs and use cases necessitate much higher

110、 peak bandwidths,something that even mmWave may not be able to provide.However,mmWave,and certainly Terahertz(THz)spectrum,limits the communication range considerably,making it an ideal fit for short-range,yet high-capacity connections.FR3:7 GHz to 24 GHz FR3 is currently the unofficial term for fre

111、quencies between 7.125 GHz and 24.25 GHz,bridging the gap between FR1(24 GHz or mmWave).The advantage of this frequency band is a compromise between the relatively good coverage 26 GHz offers.This band also offers 100 Megahertz(MHz)bandwidth below 7 GHz,providing the opportunity to considerably incr

112、ease 6G system capacity without a breakthrough in technology or deployment process.This band offers an organic and natural extension of existing mainstream 6 GHz frequency bands in existing 5G networks.The WRC-23 conference,held in November 2023,also identified this band as a primary interest for 6G

113、 services.An outcome of this conference was the announcement that the 10 GHz band will be an important frequency range for 6G technologies in the future,and all global regions were in broad agreement.3GPP Release 19 now includes an“Exploring study on new spectrum(7-24GHz)”that will fine-tune existin

114、g propagation models for this band.Although there have been documented studies and propagation models for 24 GHz frequencies,previous models for FR3 interpolated between these two established frequencies to specify the 7 24 GHz channel,leading to models of lower accuracy and confidence levels.As the

115、 study begins in April 2024,3GPP will be preparing the ground for this frequency band to be formally introduced in R20 and in the future for 6G.Higher Frequencies:from 71 GHz to 500 GHz3GPP may eventually also start looking at even higher bands for 6G,reaching as high as 500 GHz once bandwidth in FR

116、1,FR2,and FR3 is exhausted.These frequencies are between microwave and infrared radiation,which bridges electronics and photonics,and is expected to offer ultra-wide bandwidth and great immunity to adverse weather conditions.This remains the focus of academic exploration today,but may hold significa

117、nt potential.DRIVING 5G-ADVANCED TO 6GSystems using THz spectrum can behave like mmWave for wireless backhaul for ultra-high data communication and because of its unique features of being non-ionizing,non-invasive,and penetrable to many materials with limited depth,THz spectrum can also be considere

118、d for close-in communications.This includes whisper radio applications with communication limited to a very short range,such as within a circuit board or vehicle.Such high frequencies that utilize extremely wideband waveforms and narrow beamwidth can be used to offer high-precision distance-based po

119、sitioning,which may become a key feature and extension of ISAC.Conversely,limitations remain for actual deployments in such high frequencies.The network architecture will need to be significantly denser to accommodate any type of connectivity scenarioeven within a single room,meaning that network pl

120、anning and dimensioning will need to be radically different from todays networks.Moreover,additional research is needed for transceivers,power amplifiers,and antennas,because todays materials,design principles,and manufacturing processes may not be adequate.6G ROADMAPThe discussion leading up to thi

121、s section provides the foundation for the design of the 6G roadmap and how this will likely be implemented in a commercial environment.Figure 7 illustrates a likely roadmap.Figure 7:Potential 6G Deployment and Commercial Activities(Source:ABI Research)20252028202920262027203020312032203320332035ITU

122、technical performance requirementsStandards StudiesEarly proofs of concepts and testingInteroperability frameworks and partnership buildingFixing unaddressed 5G issues6G Study in Standards(2025-2027/Release 20)First Phase of 6G Standardization(2027-2029/Release 21)6G architecture and frameworkFeatur

123、e enhancement to support immersive communications,hyper-reliable low latency and massive machine communications6G spectrum decisions at WRC-27Trust security and resilience enhancements6G Commercial Uptake and Enhancement(2031-2035)Market growth in new verticals and enterprise use casesUnified connec

124、tivity and global roaming experience6G spectrum licensingCommercial trials of new use cases(e.g.,Metaverse)Digital twins and multisensory XRShort-range massive sensor use cases Early Deployment(2029-2031)DRIVING 5G-ADVANCED TO 6GEarly 6G preliminary studies will start with Release 19,which will like

125、ly finish no earlier than 1Q 2027,followed by early Proofs of Concept(PoCs)and ecosystem development.The next phase will consist of 6G core 3GPP normative work with Release 21,which will likely end no earlier than 1Q 2029.ABI Research expects early networks to appear in late 2029 at the earliest,wit

126、h most commercial activity arriving in 2030.Following these developments,the market will likely experience advanced 6G concepts such as ISAC,native AI,and ubiquitous connectivity in 2032-2035.This what ABI Research terms as the markets“transformational”phase,when new use cases such as ambient IoT,au

127、tonomous applications,and even holographic communications will be introduced.The final stage,after 2035,will fully implement the 6G vision.CONCLUSIONThe evolution of 5G-Advanced shapes the foundation and defines the possibilities we can pursue in 6G.Research and standards bodies have begun to bridge

128、 the early vision of 6G capabilities as determined by IMT-2030 with the ongoing study items and use cases explored by 3GPP and pre-standards bodies.ABI Research expects that the commercial success of our 6G future will depend on the ability to evolve and enhance existing network capabilities with th

129、e technologies and use cases being honed in 5G-Advanced.As 5G-Advanced concepts build upon the strengths of 5G and lay the building blocks for 6G network innovation in exciting areas like ISAC,the exploration of native AI,and new spectrum frequencies,they provide early direction and an important fou

130、ndation to pursue whats next.WE EMPOWER TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION AND STRATEGIC IMPLEMENTATION ABI Research is uniquely positioned at the intersection of end-market companies and technology solution providers,serving as the bridge that seamlessly connects these two segments by driving successful technol

131、ogy implementations and delivering strategies that are proven to attract and retain customers.2024 ABI Research.Used by permission.ABI Research is an independent producer of market analysis and insight and this ABI Research product is the result of objective research by ABI Research staff at the tim

132、e of data collection.The opinions of ABI Research or its analysts on any subject are continually revised based on the most current data available.The information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable.ABI Research disclaims all warranties,express or implied,with resp

133、ect to this research,including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.Published April 2024 ABI Research157 Columbus AvenueNew York,NY 10023Tel:+1 516-624-ABOUT INTERDIGITALInterDigital develops mobile and video technologies that are at the core of devices,networks and

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