The First Meeting of FuTURE Forum 5G/6G SIG & Security Working Group in 2024 Held
Research | 2024/1/19On January 17, the first meeting of the FuTURE Forum 5G/6G SIG & Security Working Group in 2024 was successfully held in Beijing. Dozens of experts in the field of mobile communications gathered together to discuss and exchange ideas on various topics, including domestic and international mobile communication spectrum policies, trends in mobile communication R&D and innovations, as well as the contents, problem optimization, and writing progress of 18 white papers such as the White Paper on 6G Vision and Candidate Technologies, White Paper on 6G Near-field Communications, and White Paper on 6G Data Plane.
After the opening speech by the chairwoman of the working group, Dr. Chih-Lin I (Chief scientist of China Mobile Research Institute)，Liu Min, the former director of the Major Special Project Office of the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of Chinadelivered a guiding speech as a special guest at this meeting on the topic of "Strengthening Scientific and Technological Innovation and Accelerating the Pace of Achieving Self-reliance and Strength in Science and Technology".
Regarding 5G frequency planning, China was the first to release the mid-band frequency planning for 5G to lead the world, setting a global milestone with a unique 200MHz wideband 5G mid-band co-building network. China also took the lead in resolving the issue of insufficient mid-band frequency spectrum resources by repurposing the 160MHz bandwidth in the 2.6GHz frequency band. Kan Runtian, a standing committee member of the Telecommunication Science and Technology Committee of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People's Republic of China and former inspector of the Bureau of Radio Regulation of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technologymade a presentation around IMT and industrial Internet IoT frequency planning policies, China's leadership in 5G frequency planning, considerations for the ITU and China's 5G/6G millimeter-wave frequency planning, terahertz applications, and IMT-related contents in the new version of the Frequency Division Regulations issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and also provided several suggestions for China's millimeter-wave frequency planning.
Li Jie, Director of the FuTURE Forumbriefly summarized the work of the FuTURE Forum in 2023 and introduced the work plan for 2024. In 2023, the FuTURE Forum devoted itself to in-depth development, achieved fruitful results, and continuously promoted the output of various working group meetings and white papers. With the support of two global brand conferences, the World 5G Convention and the Global 6G Conference, as well as multiple professional conferences, it continuously built communication and exhibition platforms for governments, industries, academia, research, and application sectors, actively promoting sci-tech progress and the implementation of achievements. On the other hand, it expanded its capabilities by continuously promoting various national science and technology development strategic research, organizing local investigations, and participating in international cooperation activities for 6G development. An academic conference was successfully held in New Zealand for the first time, allowing the forum to embark on a "New Zealand" journey in the academic and research field. While continuing to promote the aforementioned work, Li Jie also introduced that the FuTURE Forum in 2024 will expand a series of exchange activities internationally and in Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan of China, and other regions, and also plan, organize, and support thematic seminars and special events.
Photo at the First Meeting of FuTURE Forum 5G/6G SIG & Security Working Group in 2024
During the white paper writing progress and on-site discussion sessions of each unit, expert Wang Sen from China Mobile introduced the framework regarding the White Paper on 6G Vision and Candidate Technologiesas well as the sections on the new ICDT integration trends, ICDT-integrated wireless air interface, and ICDT-integrated networks. The White Paper is expected to have a preliminary draft by the end of January and be revised after evaluation by the end of February. Dr. Chih-Lin I suggested further improving the overall architecture of this White Paper.
Near-field communication has the potential to provide new physical spatial dimensions for future wireless communication systems. Regarding the White Paper on 6G Near-field Communications， Zhao Yajun, an expert from ZTE, introduced the progress of near-field communication in the White Paper, including near-field application scenarios, fundamental theories, channel measurement and modeling, transmission technologies, and integration with other technologies. The interactive session revolved around the exchange of ideas on issues such as "How Near Field Communication is Defined in RIS."
Regarding the RIS Research Progress and Network Deployment White Paper，Su Xin, an expert from China Mobile, mainly introduced validation testing and challenges in deployment in the mid-to-high frequency bands, ubiquitous deployment, control modes, and integrated network deployment with perception and supply. During the interactive session, participating experts discussed the relationship between NCR and RIS, their technologies, and their respective application scenarios.
Regarding the Intent-Driven Self-Intelligent Network White Paperexpert Song Yanbo from Xidian University introduced the research motivations, standards, operator concerns, domestic and foreign equipment vendors in the background and concept definition, as well as the overall view of intent and intent closed-loop technology in architecture and key technologies. Dr. Chih-Lin I suggested providing more detailed interpretations of intent business application examples and intent networks and digital twin in the White Paper.
Regarding the ChatGPT and Communication White Paper，expert Zeng Jie from Beijing Institute of Technology interpreted ChatGPT's technology system, typical applications, GPT's empowerment to the communication industry, and the collaborative development of GPT and communication. Dr. Chih-Lin I affirmed the problems faced by GPT + communication integration development added in the White Paper, including early layout and collaborative industry building, and suggested providing a more detailed outlook for the future.
Expert Yuan Yannan from vivo explained the latest progress regarding theWhite Paper on 6G Data Planeterms of service and scenario content, the first round of discussions and updates for eight use cases and requirements has been completed. In terms of key technologies, multiple contents have been contributed by participating units. The White Paper has been fine-tuned based on the research and document preparation of the participating units. The outline and division of labor have been updated and prototype models and other contents were added.
Regarding the Preliminary Study of Advanced Technologies towards 6G Era:，QITs 2024, expert Guo Xin from Lenovo introduced the research and application progress in the field of quantum communication in the industry, as well as key technologies and standardization progress in quantum communication, such as optimization of single-cell massive MIMO antennas and optimization of multi-cell beams. The White Paper is scheduled to complete the integration of the first version by the end of January this year.
Regarding the White Paper on Network Energy-Saving Technologies，expert Guo Jing from China Telecom Research Institute briefly introduced the background significance, performance indicators, and standard progress. She also explained the space-air-ground integrated network architecture and distributed wireless architecture at the network architecture level, and air interface energy-saving technologies such as space domain energy-saving, time domain energy-saving, frequency domain energy-saving, and power domain energy-saving, as well as the integration of AI technology and 6G air interface new technologies. Dr. Chih-Lin I suggested paying more attention to the energy efficiency of 5G-6G systems and the improvement of spectral efficiency.
Regarding the White Paper on the Research of User-centric 6G Access Network Technology，expert Liu Haitao from CICT Mobile introduced the scenarios, requirements, system design, key technologies, and made explanations on access and connection management, networking and deployment, mobility management, user plane transmission, user-centric resource orchestration, distributed multiple antennas, and user-centric integration technologies. Dr. Chih-Lin I suggested establishing a closer relationship between the content and chapters.
The massive access issues in 6G include higher requirements for connection density, increased data transmission frequency, and requirements for low latency. Regarding the White Paper on Massive Access Technology，expert Zhang Yujie from CICT Mobile introduced the objectives and approach, as well as the framework that includes application scenarios, important use cases, basic requirements, communication processes, key technologies, and technical roadmap. The White Paper is scheduled to be completed in Chinese version by the end of January and the English version will be prepared in February.
Regarding the Orthogonal Time Frequency Space (OTFS) White Paperexpert Ma Guoyu from Beijing Jiaotong University explained that the content of this White Paper will be more concise and focused compared to previous versions. Expert Ma Guoyu also reviewed the development path of this technology by focusing on the basic principles of OTFS, analysis of delay-Doppler channel characteristics, OTFS channel estimation and data detection, and OTFS extension schemes.
Semantic communication is one of the more than ten cutting-edge technology directions in 6G. Regarding the Semantic Communication White Paper，expert Zhang Qianyun from Beihang University introduced the technical research content, application scenarios, key challenges, and future prospects of semantic communication at the meeting, and further organized the phased work of the various participating units. It is planned to complete the first draft of the White Paper by the end of January 2024, and finalize the revisions in early March.
Regarding the White Paper on 6G Network Architecture Designexpert Cheng Zhimi from CICT Mobile introduced that there is consensus formed in the industry on the development direction of the mobile communication network architecture and key technologies for 6G and potential architecture types such as distributed, autonomous, digital twin, air-ground integration, intelligent endogenous, secure endogenous, network and algorithm convergence, as well as key technologies like cloud-native, programmable, blockchain, and determinism, will be combined to construct the overall architecture of the 6G network.
Edge intelligence has been a hot topic of research in recent years and is in a rapid development phase. Wang Yunfeng from Xidian University introduced at the meeting that regarding the Edge Intelligence White Paper, we aim to analyze the current research progress of edge intelligence, with a focus on advancing the research of 6G edge intelligence network and infrastructure, key technologies of edge endogenous intelligence, and promoting typical applications of edge endogenous intelligence such as smart transportation, intelligent manufacturing, intelligent network resource allocation, and intelligent energy saving.
we aim to analyze the current research progress of edge intelligence, with a focus on advancing the research of 6G edge intelligence network and infrastructure, key technologies of edge endogenous intelligence, and promoting typical applications of edge endogenous intelligence such as smart transportation, intelligent manufacturing, intelligent network resource allocation, and intelligent energy saving.White Paper on the Exploration and Practice of Space-Ground Integrated Technologyexpert Lei Zhenzhu from Unisoc introduced at the meeting that the progress of integrated air-ground communication fusion is rapid but also faces a series of implementation issues, which include diverse scenarios and complex models, long satellite launch cycles with difficulties in large-scale testing, significant differences between satellite and ground communication, and challenges in terminal roaming, migration, and interaction. The White Paper will mainly share the domestic and international exploration and practice of 5G&6G air-ground integrated technology, key technologies of 5G NTN-based air-ground integration, industrial development and practices, and development prospects for 6G.
Security is the cornerstone of the 6G network. Du Haitao, an expert from China Mobile, introduced the logic of constructing a 6G trusted intrinsic security architecture from three levels: security capabilities, security control, and security decision-making. Additionally, he introduced the progress of the White Paper on Potential Key Technologies of 6G Securitywith the combination of technologies such as wireless physical layer security, blockchain, quantum security, privacy protection, ubiquitous trust, software-defined security, mimetic defense construction, AI, and digital twins.
Expert Jiao Bingli from Peking University has provided content interpretation and progress introduction for sections in the White Paper on Co-Time Co-Frequency Full Duplex (CCFD), including the analysis of domestic and international development situations of CCFD, overall technological development trends, CCFD self-interference cancellation technology, key breakthrough scenarios, global development, industry chain, international standards organizations promoting the formulation of international standards, as well as frontier theoretical and technological research. He also released relevant suggestions in the summary section of the White Paper in collaboration with all participating units.
Regarding the White Paper on Alliance Network Architecture for 6G, expert Zhang Kangjie from ZTE introduced that alliance networks meet the needs of various scenarios, industries, and entities for on-demand distributed networking while providing "a variety of capabilities on-chain service and value realization," offering 6G a new business model that penetrates various industry ecosystems and a pervasive infrastructure built and shared by all. The White Paper focuses on the new 6G network ecosystem, new networking modes, alliance network architecture, related key technologies, typical scenarios, etc. It is planned to complete the Chinese version's second edition revision and the English version's initial draft by the end of February this year.
Dr. Chih-Lin I delivered a concluding speech and fully acknowledged the contributions of all participating units to the white papers. The number of white papers currently being promoted by the FuTURE Forum 5G/6G SIG & Security Working Group has expanded from 12 last year to 18 this year. This expansion not only reflects the industry's cohesion in exploring and discussing cutting-edge technologies in mobile communications of the FuTURE Forum's 5G/6G SIG & Security Working Group but also relies on the active efforts of the leading and participating units.