Channel measurements and models for 6G: current status and future outlook

• Published in: Frontiers of information technology & electronic engineering Vol. 21; no. 1; pp. 39 - 61
• Main Authors: Zhang, Jian-hua, Tang, Pan, Yu, Li, Jiang, Tao, Tian, Lei
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hangzhou Zhejiang University Press 01.01.2020; Springer Nature B.V; State Key Lab of Networking and Switching Technology,Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications,Beijing 100876,China
• Subjects: 6G mobile communication; Commercialization; Communications Engineering; Communications networks; Computer Hardware; Computer Science; Computer Systems Organization and Communication Networks; Electrical Engineering; Electronics and Microelectronics; Industrial applications; Industrial Internet of Things; Instrumentation; Internet of Things; Machine learning; Network latency; Networks; New technology; Propagation; R&D; Research & development; Review; Technology; Trends; Wireless communication systems; Wireless communications; Machine learning; Channel measurements; Sixth generation; Terahertz; Channel models; TN929.5; Space-air-ground integrated network; Industrial Internet of Things
• ISSN: 2095-9184; 2095-9230
• DOI: 10.1631/FITEE.1900450

With the commercialization of fifth generation networks worldwide, research into sixth generation (6G) networks has been launched to meet the demands for high data rates and low latency for future services. A wireless propagation channel is the transmission medium to transfer information between the transmitter and the receiver. Moreover, channel properties determine the ultimate performance limit of wireless communication systems. Thus, conducting channel research is a prerequisite to designing 6G wireless communication systems. In this paper, we first introduce several emerging technologies and applications for 6G, such as terahertz communication, industrial Internet of Things, space-air-ground integrated network, and machine learning, and point out the developing trends of 6G channel models. Then, we give a review of channel measurements and models for the technologies and applications. Finally, the outlook for 6G channel measurements and models is discussed.