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3GPP’s Releases towards 6G

5G Evolution To 6G_070922A
[5G Evolution To 6G - Rohde & Schwarz]

- Overview

6G will significantly outperform 5G in speed (up to 1 Tbps vs. 20 Gbps), latency, and capacity, enabling new applications like real-time holographic communication, joint sensing, and more sophisticated AI integration. 

5G will be enhanced with 5G-Advanced before 6G's anticipated 2030 commercial launch. 6G's key differentiators include greater use of higher frequencies like terahertz, enhanced reliability, and the ability for devices to dynamically connect to multiple networks simultaneously. 

 

- 5G Evolution via 3GPP Releases

6G is expected to significantly outperform 5G in speed (up to 1 Tbps vs. 20 Gbps), latency, and capacity, enabling new applications like holographic communication and more advanced AI integration. 

Key advancements for 6G include using higher frequencies like terahertz, enhanced reliability, and the ability for devices to connect to multiple networks simultaneously. 

Meanwhile, 5G will be further enhanced with 5G-Advanced, with the 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) working on new features in upcoming releases to improve performance and expand capabilities.

  • Release 15: Defined the initial 5G standard, including the New Radio (NR) air interface, 5G core (5GC), and key features like network slicing and edge computing.
  • Release 16: Introduced enhancements for 5G Phase 2, such as unlicensed spectrum (NR-U), integrated access and backhaul (IAB), and better support for industrial IoT and vehicle-to-everything (eV2X) communication.
  • Release 17: Focused on new frequency bands and non-terrestrial networks, including satellite integration.
  • Release 18 (5G Advanced): Further improves 5G capabilities, with ongoing research into areas like positioning accuracy and support for devices like RedCap (Reduced Capability) devices.

 

- 5G vs 6G

  • Speed: 6G will be exponentially faster. A 2024 test achieved speeds of 938 Gbps, over 40 times the theoretical peak of 5G.
  • Connectivity: 6G is designed to connect a much larger number of devices with greater reliability, which is essential for the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).
  • Dynamic Access: 6G networks will allow devices to use multiple connections at once, like Wi-Fi and cellular, to ensure a seamless and uninterrupted connection.
  • Sensing: 6G will integrate sensing capabilities into its communication function, allowing the network to "sense" the environment while transmitting data. This is useful for manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare.
  • AI Integration: 6G networks will have AI built into them, enabling more intelligent and responsive services and applications.
  • Timeline: While 5G continues to be enhanced with 5G-Advanced, 6G is expected to start launching commercially around 2030.

 

- 3GPP's Releases toward 6G

As 3GPP evolves 5G-Advanced and lays the groundwork for 6G, the roadmap focuses on incorporating artificial intelligence (AI), enhancing energy efficiency, and supporting new use cases. 

Release 19 (R19) and Release 20 (R20) are the key milestones in this transition, with Release 21 (R21) expected to contain the first set of 6G specifications. 

A. Release 19 (5G-Advanced Phase 2): 

Release 19 builds on the advancements of Release 18 by further refining 5G capabilities to address immediate commercial needs while acting as a bridge to 6G. 

Key focus areas include:

  • AI/Machine Learning Integration: Expands the use of AI/ML within the Radio Access Network (RAN) and core network for functions like beam management, channel modeling, and mobility.
  • Expanded Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN): Continues the evolution of satellite connectivity by improving integration with terrestrial networks and extending support to Reduced Capability (RedCap) devices.
  • Ambient IoT: Introduces studies for ultra-low power devices that can draw energy from their surroundings, extending connectivity to battery-less sensors.
  • Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC): Begins initial studies on ISAC, which will be a core feature of 6G. This involves designing networks that can both communicate and sense the surrounding environment.
  • Extended Reality (XR) and Metaverse: Improves XR services by enhancing features like low latency, high bandwidth, and device synchronization.
  • Enhanced Energy Efficiency: Introduces new energy-saving functionalities at the network level, including on-demand signaling and adapting transmission periodicity.

 

B. Release 20 (Completing 5G-Advanced and initial 6G studies): 

As the final release focused on 5G-Advanced enhancements, Release 20 prioritizes commercially critical needs while formally initiating the technical studies for 6G.

1. Completion of 5G-Advanced: Refines existing 5G use cases and prepares the network for the transition to 6G. 

Key enhancements include:

  • Improved Uplink Performance: Extends coverage and improves uplink data channels, benefiting initial access and edge-of-coverage scenarios.
  • Advanced NTN Features: Studies how to make satellite network operation more resilient by reducing or eliminating reliance on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS).
  • Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC): Prepares network standards for migration to quantum-safe cryptography.

2. Official Kickoff of 6G Studies: Formally launches technical study items for 6G. This foundational research focuses on:
  • New 6G Radio (6GR) Platform: Explores designing a scalable, simplified air interface free from the constraints of 5G backward compatibility.
  • 6G Architecture: Investigates how the 5G Core Network can be extended and enhanced to support new 6G features.
  • AI-Native Architecture: Designs an AI-native system from the ground up, with integrated AI/ML functionality across all network layers.
  • Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC): Expands the study to include new use cases like drone detection and environmental monitoring.

 

C. Release 21 (First 6G specifications): 
Release 21 is slated to produce the first official 6G technical specifications, marking a new generation of mobile technology.

  • Normative 6G Work: The studies from Release 20 will lead to the normative work in Release 21, which will define the first set of formal 6G standards.
  • ITU Submission: The specifications from Release 21 are expected to be ready for submission to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) around 2028 or 2029 for IMT-2030 classification.
  • Commercial Availability: Release 21 is designed to enable the first commercial 6G systems to become available around 2030, in line with the IMT-2030 timeline.
 

- 5G Advanced: Evolution towards 6G

5G Advanced, which began with 3GPP's Release 18, is an evolution of 5G that builds on previous releases (15-17) to improve capabilities like AI/ML integration, Extended Reality (XR), and network energy efficiency. 

It lays the groundwork for the eventual development of 6G by expanding 5G's use cases, improving performance, and making the network more intelligent and efficient. 

1. Key enhancements in 5G Advanced:

  • AI/ML Integration: Artificial intelligence and machine learning will be used to manage the network, boost performance, and optimize resources.
  • Extended Reality (XR): 5G Advanced will support demanding applications like AR, VR, and other immersive experiences by providing higher data rates and lower latency.
  • Energy Efficiency: A major focus is on improving network and device power efficiency through optimizations like those in Release 18.
  • Reduced Capability (RedCap) Devices: The technology is enhanced to support a new class of devices with reduced capabilities, such as IoT devices, broadening 5G's reach.
  • Expanded Use Cases: 5G Advanced supports new use cases and verticals by providing enhanced performance and capabilities beyond basic connectivity.
  • Positioning and Other Improvements: Release 18 includes enhancements to positioning accuracy, sidelink capabilities (e.g., for Vehicle-to-Everything), and other areas.


2. Evolution toward 6G:

  • Bridging to 6G: 5G Advanced serves as a bridge to 6G. Subsequent releases, like Release 19, will focus on needs for commercial deployment and continued study into technologies for 6G.
  • Future Standards: 3GPP is already starting to work on Release 20, which will be the beginning of 6G standardization.

 

 

[More to come ...]


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