Beyond Connectivity: The Intelligent Fabric of Sixth-Generation

Author

E M Athul., Riya K Prakash, Dr. L. C. Manikandan

Abstract

 Wireless communication has developed rapidly from systems designed mainly for voice calls to networks capable of supporting broadband internet, massive numbers of connected devices and low-latency services. The deployment of 5G has opened the way for applications such as industrial automation, connected vehicles and large-scale Internet of Things systems. At the same time, the amount of data generated by devices and machines continues to increase, and new applications are expected to demand higher capacity, lower delay, better reliability and more intelligent network operation. Sixth-generation (6G) wireless communication is being researched as the next stage of this development. The concept of 6G goes beyond simply increasing the data rate of mobile networks. Research proposes the integration of communication with artificial intelligence, sensing, computing and heterogeneous connectivity. Technologies such as sub-THz and terahertz communication, massive MIMO, reconfigurable intelligent surfaces, integrated sensing and communication, edge intelligence, cell-free networks and non-terrestrial networks are being investigated as important parts of future systems. This paper discusses the evolution of wireless communication towards 6G, the expected requirements and architecture of 6G networks, major enabling technologies, applications, security and privacy issues, challenges and future scope. Since 6G is still under research and standardization, numerical performance values mentioned in the literature are treated as targets or research expectations rather than final commercial specifications.

Keywords

6G Wireless Communication; Terahertz Communication; Artificial Intelligence; Massive MIMO; Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface; Integrated Sensing and Communication; Edge Computing; Cell-Free Massive MIMO; Non-Terrestrial Networks

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References

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