Wireless communication has undergone several generations of upgrades, each bringing enhanced speed, capacity, and new capabilities.

• 1G (1980s): The inception of mobile communication marked the arrival of analog audio services.
• 2G (early 1990s): The shift to digital transmission offered better voice quality and enabled text messaging.
• 3G (2000s): This generation brought higher data speeds, supporting mobile internet, video calls, and various multimedia applications.
• 4G (2010s): Utilizing technologies like LTE, it facilitated high-speed mobile broadband, enabling video streaming, gaming, and Voice over IP.
• 5G (from 2019): Features ultra-low latency and high bandwidth, accommodating numerous connected devices like those in smart cities and self-driving vehicles.

Each generation has been crucial in defining the digital landscape, transforming how people communicate and access information. But what’s on the horizon? Naturally, it’s 6G.

Xiwen Mao, Director of Auburn University’s Center for Wireless Engineering Research and Education, elaborated on the intricate nature of 6G technology.

How is 6G technology applied?

Mao: Unlike prior generations that mainly targeted specific wireless technologies, 6G encompasses a broader range of applications beyond standard mobile phones. It’s designed to integrate into smartphones and wearables, as well as AR/VR headsets and smart glasses, enhancing immersive experiences. Additionally, it improves smart homes with security surveillance and energy management, supports autonomous vehicles, and facilitates automation within factories and supply chains.

Will the cell phones I use now be fundamentally different with 6G?

Mao: Backward compatibility is vital in developing wireless systems. For instance, new Wi-Fi routers can still connect with older devices. In cellular networks, base stations might revert to older technologies to cut costs during less busy times. Deploying 6G is a lengthy process, and completely overhauling the network every decade would be quite costly for service providers.

Still, new devices are emerging. Take the humane AI pin, for example. This wearable gadget, designed to replace a smartphone, attaches to clothing and beams output into the user’s hands using a laser projector. It features a large-scale language model-driven virtual assistant that can help with web searches, messaging, and real-time translations.

Moreover, smart headsets and glasses have transitioned from simple displays to comprehensive spatial computing platforms. Utilizing AI, camera sensors, and computer vision, they can interact with the physical environment, enabling users to navigate applications through gestures and hand movements, eliminating the need for traditional screens and keyboards.

In summary, mobile phones are likely to see substantial changes with 6G, becoming more integrated with wearable and spatial technologies. While they won’t vanish anytime soon, their roles and forms are set to evolve dramatically.

How significant is the ongoing evolution of AI compared to 5G in 6G?

Mao: AI could be the most transformative technology driving 6G. This integration means 6G will be the first network inherently designed around AI, with models operating on mobile devices, network edge nodes, and cloud systems. Traditional wireless frameworks are being revamped with AI, resulting in greater efficiency and resilience. Additionally, a variety of AI-based applications, like search engines, sentiment analytics, and chatbots, will benefit from improved support on mobile devices.

When can we expect 6G technology to be available commercially and what will that look like?

Mao: By mid-2025, 6G standardization is progressing smoothly, with significant milestones achieved and a clear path laid out by international organizations and industry groups. Initiatives spearheaded by entities like the Third Generation Partnership Project and the International Communication Union Radiology Sector are expected to continue until the latter half of the decade. We anticipate the first commercial rollouts of 6G in the early 2030s.

Are there any potential downsides to 6G?

Mao: The generational distinctions among Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z relate to their birth periods and corresponding cultural traits. In a similar vein, previous wireless generations had clear technological hallmarks. However, that clarity seems to be fading in the cases of 5G and 6G, where a variety of diverse technologies may fall under the same generational label. Thus, defining 6G is becoming increasingly complex, with numerous technological advancements potentially being classified under its umbrella.

Another worry revolves around the substantial costs linked to upgrading network infrastructure every decade, which can heavily burden service providers and users, such as factory owners.

The rapid development of wireless systems also brings environmental challenges. This includes the high energy consumption of 5G and 6G bases, rising electronic waste, battery depletion, and the risk of accumulating satellite debris affecting operational satellites.

While AI enhances the design and efficacy of 6G systems, it also introduces unique challenges. Often, there’s a lack of understanding about the inner workings of AI models, and the output can lack reliability or accuracy. If trained with flawed or incomplete data, AI systems could yield biased or misleading information.

courtesy Auburn University