2021 IEEE 1st International Maghreb Meeting of the Conference on Sciences and Techniques of

2021 IEEE 1st International Maghreb Meeting of the Conference on Sciences and Techniques of Automatic Control and Computer Engineering MI-STA | 978-1-6654-1856-0/20/$31.00 ©2021 IEEE | DOI: 10.1109/MI-STA52233.2021.9464470

Automatic Control and Computer Engineering MI-STA, 25-27 May 2021,Tripoli-Libya

6G Mobile Communications Systems:

Requirements, Specifications, Challenges,
Applications, and Technologies
Sliman KA. A. Yaklaf Khaled S. Tarmissi Nasar Aldian Ambark Shashoa
Electrical and Electronics Engineering Computer Science Department Department of Electrical and Computer Eng.
Department. Faculty of Engineering College of Computers and Information Libyan Academy for Postgraduate Studies
Azzaytuna University, Systems Umm Al-Qura University, Tripoli - Libya
Tarhuna- Libya Makkah – Saudi Arabi

Abstract— The Fifth Generation (5G) Wireless networks were

planned to be free from the limitations of previous generations. It
has become necessary for society to move beyond 5G and design
a new architecture that can incorporate the technological needs
of both the individual and society. Therefore, if Sixth Generation
(6G) mobile communications are to be developed, many aspects
must be improved, the most evident being: latency, higher data
rate, quality of service (QoS) and system capacity. When looking
at the previously mentioned aspiration and requirements of
future networks, the need for the development of 6G networks
becomes clear. Nevertheless, many challenges which society must
overcome for such networks to be implemented exist. The cost of
solving such problems pales in comparison to the potential
benefits of 6G networks. This paper discusses the challenges of
implementing 6G networks.

Keywords: 6G, 5G, artificial intelligence, intelligent radio, high

capacity, autonomous wireless systems, internet of everything.

I. INTRODUCTION
Technical features of 5G mobile communication are still
underlying phase of commercial scale and need to be
investigated concerning Internet of Things (IoT) and further Fig. 1. Cellular networks applications evolution from 1G to 6G, for each
generation [2].
enhanced. Nowadays, 5G cellular mobile communications
systems exist. Since 1980, approximately every 10 years II. UPGRADE IN MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS
cellular mobile communication generation emerges.
Beginning with the first generation (1G) FM cellular analog The improvement of Quality of Service (QoS) metrics is
systems in 1981, which was followed by second generation transferred from one generation to another, includes new
(2G) in 1992, in 2001 third generation (3G) networks were features and services. The increase high factor capability is the
lunched, and in 2011 the fourth generation (4G) networks was goal of 6G mobile communication, compared to the mobile
presented. This constant development is often referred to long- generation networks previously.
term evolution [1].
Data traffic for mobile communication has been grown
Thus, providing high data rate speed is the expected of 6G tremendously during the last ten years, because of the
mobile communication systems due to the unconventional machine-to-machine (M2M) communications introduction and
technologies, a large coverage area, which allows subscribers smart devices. Fig. 2 shows the predicted growth of total
to communicate with each other everywhere. 6G mobile global traffic. It is expected that in 2030, the mobile traffic
communication systems have large bandwidth and high will be 670 times increased compared to in 2010 in the volume
artificial intelligent that include the environmental, operational of global mobile traffic [3]. The exponentially use of M2M
aspects and the networks services. In mobile technology, each connectivity and the traffic mobile devices will be increased.
generation has been designed from 1G to 6G to meet the needs In 2030 the mobile device traffic volume will be grown 50
of network and end users operators, Fig.1, shows cellular times.
networks evolution. The 6G mobile communications system
would also include new services with new technologies.

978-1-6654-1856-0/21/$31.00 ©2021 IEEE

679
Authorized licensed use limited to: Instituto Nacional De Telecomunicações (INATEL). Downloaded on May 16,2024 at 13:52:21 UTC from IEEE Xplore. Restrictions apply.
 The basic requirements of key performance indicators (KPIs)
are efficiency, capacity, latency, and connectivity, which have
the same mobile communication systems requirements. While,
the intelligence and security of KPIs regarding 6G mobile
communications system are newly designed.

IV. 6G NETWORKS KEY AREAS

Some components have already deployed of 5G mobile

network and have already been considered, and artificial
intelligence (AI) as in the medium access control (MAC) layer
accessing, in the physical layer estimation, multiple various
applications, and channel coding in the network layer [5].

Moreover, vehicle networks, which are the real-time

intelligent edge, have been already implemented for 5G
mobile communications networks, and latency issues in “real-
time” cannot be handled in emergency conditions. However,
Fig. 2. Predicted growth in total global traffic volume during 2020-2030 [4].
0.1 msec of the latency in 6G mobile communication networks
III. REQUIREMENTS AND SPECIFICATIONS which is 10 times more than of 5G mobile communications
networks [6]. Moreover, 5G coverage is not possible at 3D
In 2030, the market demand of 5G will not be able to fill intercoms levels; it is still at the space, underwater, and
the gap requirements, so that based on the predictions of ground level communications. Table 2 summaries four areas
previous upgrading, the 6G mobile systems main objectives might advance in 6G mobile communications system.
are:
TABLE II: Summaries four key areas.
• number of connected devices are very large
• high data rates per device
• world wide connectivity
• low energy consumption
• low latency
• reliable connectivity is high
• high intelligence machine learning
Table I. shows a comparison of 4G, 5G and 6G mobile
communication systems.
TABLE I. Comparison of 4G, 5G and 6G mobile communication systems

A. Intelligent real-time edge

In 5G mobile network technology, some networks cannot

be implemented and controlled, such as vehicle networks,
because the whole network requires real-time intelligence and
extremely low network latency, and this requirements are
limited in 5G. A 6G mobile network must be able to support
these requirements. An autonomous driving response in time

680
Authorized licensed use limited to: Instituto Nacional De Telecomunicações (INATEL). Downloaded on May 16,2024 at 13:52:21 UTC from IEEE Xplore. Restrictions apply.
 intelligent edge of vehicle networks could be allowed to an V. CHALLENGING IN 6G COMMUNICATIONS
unfamiliar environment [7].
6G mobile communications system to be successfully
Security algorithms will be advanced in an artificial deployed needs several technical problems to be solved.
intelligence technology when it is deployed in vehicle Which are briefly discussed below:
networks. Group behavior also should be considered in
clustered vehicles. A. Atmospheric Absorption and Propagation of THz

B. Distributed Artificial Intelligence The high data rates are provided by high THz frequencies.
However, the data transfer over long distances in THz bands is
6G mobile communication network system need to be a significant challenge. Because of the characteristics of
Internet of Everything (IoE) compliant, and has the capability atmospheric absorption and high loss propagation, the
of making an intelligent decision at different levels. transceiver architecture at THz communication systems
Distributed data-set of the edge devices must be capable for requires a new design [15].
controlling and accessing the data. Edge device must be
capable for storing data independently, computing them and Full use of available widely bandwidths must be ensured to
cleaning data, to reduce abstract data [8]. the transceivers to operate at high frequencies. Other
challenges of THz communication are gain and effective area
C. Intelligent radio for THz band antennas. Health and safety also need to be
addressed to THz band communications.
The transceiver devices were designed together in previous
network generations. However, it is possible in circuits and B. Resource Management Complexity for 3D
antennas in recent developments to separate transceiver Networking
algorithms from hardware that means intelligent radio based
on the hardware information could operate as framework. The Routing protocol, multiple access are essential for mobility
dynamical configuration of the transceiver algorithms could support of techniques for optimization and resource
update themselves. Yang et al. [9] note that, networking management. For 3D new network design, scheduling is
techniques and defined software radio must be combined for needed.
levering a dynamically utilize different frequencies and
multiple high-frequency bands to support an intelligent radio. C. Hardware Heterogeneity

The heterogeneity of communications system, the

D. 3D Intercoms
frequency bands, service delivery, and topologies, are
At 3D space, 6G mobile communications network must be involved. In addition, the mobile terminals and access points
able to support and accommodate undersea, unmanned aerial in different communication systems design are different in the
vehicles (UAVs), and satellites communications. This service hardware settings..
according to time needed and the location could be provided
by 3D intercom [10]. In a remote area at emergency case, cost D. Autonomous Wireless Systems
effective in the deployment 6G of vehicle networks are more The heterogeneous sub-systems convergence is needed to
than using 5G or 4G mobile networks, because these make autonomous wireless systems. Such as heterogeneous
generations cannot be relocated and fixed infrastructure wireless systems, autonomous computing, interoperable
associated with them. processes, autonomous cloud, and machine to machine
Adding the associated degrees of freedom and the learning [16]. Thus, the development of overall system
dimensions of altitude in the 3D intercom are required an becomes challenging and complex. Researchers of 6G mobile
communication systems design need a fully autonomous
optimization to achieve routing, and mobility management
system.
[11].
E. Sub-mm Wave (THz) Frequencies Modeling
THz bands are being trialed and investigated to use
regulated frequency bands at the space level [12]. So that, Characteristics of the THz mm Waves and submm Waves
molecular and quantum communications technologies could propagation are subject to climatic change frequently
be applied for long-distance communication due to their conditions and atmospheric conditions. The relatively complex
suitability [13]. of the channel modeling of this band is high unpredictable.
Whether 6G networks could operate when it comes to F. Device Capability
coverage underwater environment. However, transmission
processes in mobile communication networks undersea, Challenging to support Tbps throughput. The ability of
Grimmett [14] pioneered a discussion associated with this smart phones should have to cope with the new features. In 6G
process concerning security issues. devices, the improvement capability may increase the cost as
well. Therefore, computing performance improvement,
communications-computing devices, and so on must be

681
Authorized licensed use limited to: Instituto Nacional De Telecomunicações (INATEL). Downloaded on May 16,2024 at 13:52:21 UTC from IEEE Xplore. Restrictions apply.
 prioritized integrated for 6G based on 5G technological data rate in the 6G mobile communications system is
compatibility. important for XR experience.

G. High-Capacity Connectivity C. Biomedical Communication

Very high density needs for accessing 6G mobile In healthcare network, by using 6G mobile
communications network. For connectivity support it needs communications system, remote surgery will be made possible
for different types of users a high data rate. So that, the in remote reliable monitoring system. Large volumes of data
enormous volumes of data for making a connection must be will be transferred quickly in 6G mobile networks. It is also
handled between the core network and the access networks in will help for improving the quality of care, because of high-
6G mobile communications network. Therefore, exponentially data rate, ultra reliable and low latency.
growing of 6G mobile networks needs challenging and an
improvement in the capacity for the data demands of these 6G mobile technologies used in healthcare services has
networks. growing potential, such as medical imaging, pulse imaging
and pharmaceutical industry.
H. Economic Prospect Planning
D. Brain-Computer Wireless Interactions
Deployment of 6G communication needs an economic
prospect because it is also an important issue for infrastructure In smart societies, the computer interface can be used daily,
cost for new implementation of 6G. Hence, the spectrum especially to control medical apparatus and appliances [20],
sharing and infrastructure data must be analyzed to make the [21]. The signals of brain is transmit to a digital device are
6G mobile cost-effective. acquires by brain computer interface (BCI) and interprets and
analyzes the signals into commands.
Proposed method introduced by Patwary et al. [17] in the
cost deployment can provide 40–60% for an overall reduction. High throughput and ultra-reliable connectivity is required
Therefore, the sharing of location-based spectrum licensing, for both uplink (multi-brain-controlled) and downlink (next-
infrastructure and neutral hosting can be designated for given generation XR) brain-to-thing communication. The features of
a possible solution to shrink the deployment costs. ubiquitous machine type communication (uMTC) and ultra
high speed with low latency communications (uHLSLLC) in
VI. PROSPECTS AND APPLICATIONS OF 6G 6G mobile communications system will support a smart life of
BCI systems.
Every new technology brings different and new
applications. Moreover, some of these applications will be E. Manufacturing and Automation
applied to 6G mobile system. Some of applications and key
prospects of 6G mobile communications system are briefly Full automatic control of processes will be provided by 6G
described below. based on AI. The 6G mobile automation system will provide
secure communications, and highly reliable using low latency
A. Super-Smart Society and high data-rate provisioning, i.e., massive machine type
communication (mMTC), ultra high data density (uHDD), and
6G mobile communications will lead to environmental uHLSLLC services. The 6G system ensures error free data
monitoring, improvements of life quality using M2M transfer and provides network integrity.
communication based on AI [18]. Our society will be smart by
using an autonomous vehicles and smart mobile devices in 6G F. Internet of Everything
mobile communications system. Smart devices in a remote
location can be commanded and controlled. Full IoE is supported by 6G mobile communication system.
Four properties have been integrated by IoT, such as people,
B. Extended Reality data, physical devices and processes, in a suitable frame [22].
IoE support intelligent network to put all physical objects,
Extended reality is essential features of 6G communication data, people, and processes into one suitable smart system.
systems, that include, augmented reality (AR), mixed
reality (MR), and virtual reality (VR). By joint high quality With low power extensive area networks (LPWAN) have
6G wireless connectivity and design integration an immersive energy-efficient sensor nodes to support broad area coverage
AR/MR/VR experience will be a truly provided [19]. The networking. The features of uHDD, uHLSLLC and Ubiquitous
opportunity for performing the human to human mobile ultra broadband (uMUB) of 6G communication will
communications, five senses of communications and extended support this application.
reality (XR) devices must be accelerated.
G. Haptic Communication methods
AR is a real physical world a live view, that inputs of
computer generated sensor elements, such as global Haptic is nonverbal communication type, which uses sense
positioning system (GPS), data, visuals, audio, and video are of touch, which will be supported by 6G mobile
augmented to create new atmospheres and visualizations MR communications [23]. This communication type is used in
in real time. Highly reliable wireless connectivity with high many fields such as robotics AI sensors and physically

682
Authorized licensed use limited to: Instituto Nacional De Telecomunicações (INATEL). Downloaded on May 16,2024 at 13:52:21 UTC from IEEE Xplore. Restrictions apply.
 challenged. The applications and haptic systems can be [10] E. C. Strinati, S. Barbarossa, J. L. Gonzalez-Jimenez, D. Ktenas, N.
Cassiau, C. Dehos, 6g: the Next Frontier, arXivPreprint
implemented and facilitated by mMTC, uHLSLLC, and
arXiv:1901.03239.
uHDD, which are the features of 6G mobile communications [11] W. Saad, M. Bennis, M. Chen, A vision of 6g wireless systems:
network. applications, trends, technologies, and open research problems, IEEE
network.
H. Transfer of Five Senses Information [12] M. Katz, P. Pirinen, H. Posti, Towards 6g: getting ready for the next
decade, in: 2019 16th International Symposium on Wireless
The five senses of humans, such as, smell, hearing, taste, Communication Systems (ISWCS), IEEE, 2019, pp. 714–718.
[13] F. Tariq, M. Khandaker, K.-K. Wong, M. Imran, M. Bennis, M. Debbah,
sight, and touch are used to experience the world around them. A Speculative Study on 6g, arXiv Preprint arXiv:1902.06700.
Data obtained from the five senses will be transferred [14] D.J. Grimmett, Message routing criteria for undersea acoustic
remotely in 6G mobile communication systems. Neurological communication networks, in: OCEANS 2007-Europe, IEEE, 2007, pp. 1
process through sensory integration is used in this technology. 6.
[15] S. Mumtaz et al., “Terahertz communication for vehicular networks,”
It detects from the environment and human body the IEEE Trans. Veh. Technol., vol. 66, no. 7, pp. 5617–5625, Jul. 2017.
sensations. This application is boosted effectively by BCI [16] S. Dang, O. Amin, B. Shihada, and M.-S. Alouini, “What should 6G
technology. be?” Nat. Electron., vol. 3, pp. 20–29, Jan. 2020.
[17] M. N. Patwary, S. Junaid Nawaz, M. A. Rahman, S. K. Sharma,
VII. CONCLUSION M. M. Rashid, and S. J. Barnes, “The potential short- and long-term
disruptions and transformative impacts of 5G and beyond wireless
The growing demand for mobile communications system in networks: Lessons learnt from the development of a 5G testbed
environment,” IEEE Access, vol. 8, pp. 11352–11379, 2020.
2030 will not be able to fully support by 5G. Therefore, 6G [18] (2019). 6G [Online]. Available: http://mmwave.dei.unipd.it/
mobile communication will need to be studied. Researches on research/6g/
6G mobile communications are still in the study phase and in [19] W. Saad, M. Bennis, and M. Chen, “A vision of 6G wireless systems:
its infancy. The paper investigates the ways and prospects to Applications, trends, technologies, and open research problems,” IEEE
Netw., vol. 34, no. 3, pp. 134–142, May/Jun. 2020.
reach the 6G mobile communications system goal and [20] A. K. Tripathy, S. Chinara, and M. Sarkar, “An application of wireless
presents the requirements, specifications, challenges, brain–computer interface for drowsiness detection,” Biocybern.
technologies, and possible applications to be deployed for 6G Biomed. Eng., vol. 36, no. 1, pp. 276–284, 2016.
mobile communications. [21] S. R. A. Jafri et al., “Wireless brain computer interface for smart
home and medical system,” Wireless Pers. Commun., vol. 106, no. 4,
pp. 2163–2177, Jun. 2019.
6G is the futuristic technology with high speed Internet [22] The Internet of Everything, CISCO, San Jose, CA, USA, 2019.
access and microsecond latency. Then, several potential [Online]. Available: https://www.cisco.com/c/dam/en_us/about/busine
challenges associated with 6G technology have been ss-insights/docs/ioe-value-at-stake-public-sector-analysis-faq.pdf.
[23] 5G and the Haptic Internet: Emerging Technologies, Solutions and
discussed. Number of issues in 6G communication systems; Market Opportunities, PR Newswire, New York, NY, USA, 2019.
have been highlighted for future development. 6G mobile [Online]. Available: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/5gand-
network is considered by their flexibility. Finally, this work the-haptic-internet-emerging-technologies-solutions-and-
concludes most research activities. marketopportunities-300184874.html

REFERENCES

[1] Z. Zhang, Y. Xiao, Z. Ma, M. Xiao, Z. Ding, X. Lei, G. K. Karagiannidis,

and P. Fan, “6G Wireless Networks: Vision, Requirements, Architecture,
and Key Technologies,” IEEE Vehicular Technology Magazine, vol. 14,
no. 3, pp. 28–41, Sep. 2019.
[2] Marco Giordani, Michele Polese, Marco Mezzavilla, Sundeep Rangan,
AND Michele Zorzi, “Towards 6G Networks: Use Cases and
Technologies” IEEE Communications Magazine, 2020.
arXiv:1903.12216v2 [cs.NI] 4 Feb 2020.
[3] “IMT traffic estimates for the years 2020 to 2030,” Int. Telecommun.
Union, ITU- Recommendation M.2370-0, Jul. 2015.
[4] S. J. Nawaz, S. K. Sharma, S. Wyne, M. N. Patwary, and
M. Asaduzzaman, “Quantum machine learning for 6G communication
networks: State-of-the-art and vision for the future,” IEEE Access,
vol. 7, pp. 46317–46350, 2019.
[5] T. Huang, W. Yang, J. Wu, J. Ma, X. Zhang, D. Zhang, A survey on
green 6g network: architecture and technologies, IEEE Access 7 (2019)
175758–175768.
[6] M. Latva-aho, K. Leppanen, Key Drivers and Research Chal-€Lenges for
6g Ubiquitous Wireless Intelligence (White Paper), 6G Flagship Research
Program, University of Oulu, Finland.
[7] T. Huang, W. Yang, J. Wu, J. Ma, X. Zhang, D. Zhang, A survey on green
6g network: architecture and technologies, IEEE Access 7 (2019)
175758–175768.
[8] I. Tomkos, D. Klonidis, E. Pikasis, S. Theodoridis, Toward the 6g
network era: opportunities and challenges, IT Prof. 22 (1) (2020) 34–38.
[9] P. Yang, Y. Xiao, M. Xiao, S. Li, 6g wireless communications: vision
and potential techniques, IEEE Network 33 (4) (2019) 70–75.

683
Authorized licensed use limited to: Instituto Nacional De Telecomunicações (INATEL). Downloaded on May 16,2024 at 13:52:21 UTC from IEEE Xplore. Restrictions apply.