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8. Emerging Innovations in Wireless Technologies

6G Explained 1

Generation Year Speed Latency Frequency Features
1G 1980 2.4 Kbps 1000 ms 800 MHz Analog Voice Calls
2G 1991 64 Kbps 300 ms 1.8 GHz SMS
3G 2001 2 Mbps 100 ms 2.1 GHz Video Calls
4G 2010 100 Mbps 30 ms 2.6 GHz Mobile Internet
5G 2020 10 Gbps 1 ms 28 GHz IoT, AR, VR
6G 2030 100 Gbps 0.1 ms 300 GHz Holographic Calls
7G 2040 1 Tbps 0.01 ms 3 THz Brain-Computer

5G vs 6G 2

  • The 5G standard for cellular networks was developed by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) in 2016.
  • The 5G standard began global deployment in 2019.
  • 5G networks will generally operate in three frequency bands (low, middle, and high) with the majority of 5G traffic operating in the mid-band, as it enables sufficient range and channel space.
  • High-band frequencies are located in the previously unused 20-100 GHz range and are often referred to as millimeter wave (mmWave). These frequencies are very short-range, but the large amount of airspace available allows for higher speeds compared to low- and mid-bands.
  • 5G components:
    • Radio Access Network (RAN): The part of the network that connects individual devices to the core network.
    • Core Network: The part of the network that connects the RAN to the internet and other networks.
  • 5G Advanced, predicted to be deployed by 2025, is a planned set of technological and network upgrades that will expand on the existing capabilities of 5G; with AI and ML integrated into the network.
  • The 6G wireless communication network will be the successor to 5G and is expected to begin launch in 2030.
  • Notable differentiators of 6G from 5G include enhanced scalability, greater use of the radio spectrum, and dynamic access to different connection types.

4G, 5G, 6G, 7G and Future Mobile Technologies 3

4G

  • T4G is an IP-based technology that uses these standards:
    • voice communication.
    • LTE (Long-Term Evolution).
    • UMB (Ultra Mobile Broadband).
    • WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) from the IEEE 802.16 family.
  • 4G applications:
    • Mobile Web Access.
    • Ip telephony.
    • Gaming services.
    • High-definition mobile TV.
    • Video conferencing.
    • 3D television.
    • Cloud computing.
  • LTE does not support circuit-switched networks but it is an IP-based network system.
  • 4G components:
    • User Equipment (UE).
    • E-UTRAN (Evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network).
    • EPC (Evolved Packet Core).

5G

  • 5G is designed for WWWW (World Wide Wireless Web).
  • IPv6 is a fundamental protocol used in 5G cellular networks.
  • 5G concepts:
    • Nanotechnology.
    • Cloud computing.
    • All flat IP platforms.
  • The Bandwidth Optimization Control Protocol (BDCP) is implemented in between the MAC and TCP/IP layers, which is used to establish the mix-bandwidth.
  • 5G applications:
    • Pervasive networks: The user can simultaneously be connected to several wireless access technologies and move seamlessly between them.
    • Group cooperative relay: To make high data rates available over a wider area of the cell.
    • Cognitive radio technology.
    • Wireless mesh networks and dynamic Ad hoc networking.
    • Smart antennas.

Internet of Everything (IoE) and Internet of Things (IoT) 4

Internet of Things (IoT)

  • IoT is a network of interconnected devices with unique identification through IP addresses & also having technologies that can enable them to sense, gather data and interact with the surroundings in which they reside.
  • IoT features:
    • Connectivity: various types of connectivity options are used: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, etc.
    • Sensing: Sensors are used to collect data such as GPS, electrochemical pressure, RFID, gyroscopes, etc and send it through the network.
    • Active involvement: IoT devices are cross-platform which means they can be used in various applications and networks.
    • Scalability: IoT devices can be scaled up or down depending on the requirements.
    • Dynamic nature: IoT devices can be easily connected or disconnected from the network.
    • Intelligence: IoT devices form a great input for AI and ML algorithms.
    • Energy efficiency: IoT devices are designed to consume less power.
    • Security: IoT devices are designed to be secure and protect the data they collect.
    • Integration: IoT devices can be integrated with other devices and systems.
  • IoT components:
    • Sensors: Collect data from the environment and send it to the network.
    • Network: Connects the sensors to the cloud. Different network types and technologies are used: LAN, MAN, Wifi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, etc.
    • Standards: IoT devices follow certain standards or protocols to communicate with each other and to know what to do with the data they collect.
    • Analysis and actions: The data collected by the sensors is analyzed and actions are taken based on the analysis.

Internet of Everything (IoE)

  • IOE is a concept that extends the Internet of Things (IoT) to include people and processes.
  • IoE is an updated term and is a concept which is having idea of complete connectivity, intelligence and cognition.
  • IoE is the interconnection between people, things, data and processes.
  • The aim of it is to improve experiences and create smart decisions.
  • IoE features:
    • Centralization of data is converted into distributed modes.
    • External data is accepted as input and passed to other distributed systems.
  • IoE components:
    • Things.
    • People.
    • Data.
    • Process.

Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) 5

  • Augmented reality and virtual reality are reality technologies that either enhance or replace a real-life environment with a simulated one.
  • Augmented reality (AR) augments your surroundings by adding digital elements to a live view, often by using the camera on a smartphone.
  • Virtual reality (VR) is a completely immersive experience that replaces a real-life environment with a simulated one.
  • VR includes a headset that covers your eyes and visually immerses you in a digital environment.
  • Examples of AR:
    • Snapchat filters.
    • Pokémon Go.
    • Google Maps.
    • IKEA Place.
    • YouCam Makeup.
    • Repair Technicians.
  • Examples of VR:
    • Oculus Rift.
    • HTC Vive.
    • PlayStation VR.
    • Google Cardboard.
    • Samsung Gear VR.
    • Google Daydream.
    • Valve Index.

References

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  1. Mrwhosetheboss. (2020). 6G - Explained! [YouTube Video]. In YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvcAovqG5Kk ↩

  2. 5G/6G | Homeland Security. (2023). U.S. Department of Homeland Security. https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/5g6g ↩

  3. 4G, 5G, 6G, 7G and Future Mobile Technologies. (n.d.). Www.imedpub.com. Retrieved March 25, 2024, from https://www.imedpub.com/articles/4g-5g-6g-7g-and-future-mobile-technologies.pdf ↩

  4. Purohit, S., Purohit, S., & Mathur, A. (2021). An evolutionary development from IoT (Internet of Things) to IoE (Internet of Everything). International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology, 8(1), 994-997. https://www.irjet.net/archives/V8/i1/IRJET-V8I1181.pdf ↩

  5. AR vs VR: What’s The Difference? | Splunk. (2024). Splunk; Splunk. https://www.splunk.com/en_us/blog/learn/ar-vr.html?301=/en_us/data-insider/what-are-augmented-reality-and-virtual-reality.html ↩