Design and Optimization of Sixth Generation (6G) Wireless Networks

第六代 (6G) 无线网络的设计和优化

• 批准号: RGPIN-2022-03125
• 负责人: Fapojuwo, Abraham
• 金额: $ 2.84万
• 依托单位: University of Calgary
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2022
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2022-01-01 至 2023-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=752362
• 关键词: Design; Optimization; Sixth; Generation; 6G

The ongoing commercial deployment of fifth generation (5G) wireless networks is revealing that although 5G can indeed support data-hungry applications, such as broadband and video streaming, it is still falling short of supporting the so-called Internet of Everything, connecting millions of people and billions of machines (devices) that require an extremely high data rate, with ultra-high reliable, and/or ultra-low latency communications. The revealed limitation of 5G wireless networks, coupled with the emergence of some new and emerging applications, such as immersive virtual/augmented reality, have spurred research interest in both academia and industry on the future sixth generation (6G) wireless networks. Research on 6G wireless networks is still in its infancy, and the critical challenge of the network design and performance optimization remains open. Hence, this NSERC Discovery Grant application tackles the critical challenge and provides innovative and original solutions through five 6G key enabling technologies, namely, pushing communications to the higher terahertz frequency band, creating smart environments through reconfigurable intelligent surfaces, removing the conventional cell structures, eliminating batteries in devices and powering them using ambient backscatter communication, and intelligentizing the network through artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML). Specifically, I propose to perform an in-depth study to quantify the capabilities and limitations of the above 6G key enabling technologies to support the new and emerging applications. I will design and implement a new network slicing framework for simultaneous support of the variety of the new applications having diverse performance requirements. I will develop and implement an ML-based cross-layer design framework that jointly optimizes the network functions across all seven layers of the open systems interconnection stack, and thus, achieve a global optimality. I will design, model, and analyze new protocols for energy harvesting user devices and sensors to achieve the goal of green and sustainable communication. I will propose, design, model, and analyze, innovative techniques for automating 6G wireless network management and orchestration. I will design and implement an ML-based framework for real-time performance optimization of the complex, heterogeneous, and dynamic 6G wireless networks. I will develop new and novel theoretical techniques for performance evaluation to gain valuable insights. The research outcomes will exert an impact at the social, economic, and environmental spheres for Canada. My research will enhance the quality of life for average Canadians. Furthermore, my proposed research program will provide training in cutting-edge research in 6G wireless network design and optimization to graduate and undergraduate students, whose highly desired technical skills are vital for continued growth of the Canadian telecommunications industry.

第五代（5G）无线网络正在进行的商业部署表明，尽管5G确实可以支持宽带和视频流等数据密集型应用，但它仍然无法支持所谓的万物互联，即连接数百万个用户。人员和数十亿台机器（设备）需要极高的数据速率、超高可靠和/或超低延迟通信。 5G 无线网络所暴露的局限性，加上沉浸式虚拟/增强现实等一些新兴应用的出现，激发了学术界和工业界对未来第六代 (6G) 无线网络的研究兴趣。 6G无线网络的研究仍处于起步阶段，网络设计和性能优化的关键挑战仍然存在。因此，本次 NSERC 发现资助申请解决了这一关键挑战，并通过五项 6G 关键使能技术提供创新和原创的解决方案，即将通信推向更高的太赫兹频段、通过可重新配置的智能表面创建智能环境、去除传统的蜂窝结构、消除设备中的电池并使用环境反向散射通信为其供电，并通过人工智能/机器学习 (AI/ML) 实现网络智能化。 具体来说，我建议进行深入研究，量化上述 6G 关键使能技术的能力和局限性，以支持新兴应用。我将设计并实现一个新的网络切片框架，以同时支持具有不同性能要求的各种新应用程序。我将开发并实现一个基于机器学习的跨层设计框架，共同优化开放系统互连堆栈所有七层的网络功能，从而实现全局最优。我将为能量收集用户设备和传感器设计、建模和分析新协议，以实现绿色和可持续通信的目标。我将提出、设计、建模和分析用于自动化 6G 无线网络管理和编排的创新技术。我将设计并实现一个基于机器学习的框架，用于复杂、异构和动态 6G 无线网络的实时性能优化。我将开发新的绩效评估理论技术，以获得有价值的见解。研究成果将对加拿大的社会、经济和环境领域产生影响。我的研究将提高普通加拿大人的生活质量。此外，我提出的研究计划将为研究生和本科生提供 6G 无线网络设计和优化的前沿研究培训，他们高度渴望的技术技能对于加拿大电信行业的持续增长至关重要。