Paradigm-Shifting Radio Access Technologies for 6G-and-Beyond Wireless Networks and the Internet of Everything Applications

随着无线容量的持续增长，万物互联（IoE）的到来需要从增强型移动的宽带（eMBB）到超可靠低延迟通信（URLLC）服务的革命性范式转变。第五代（5G）新无线电（5G NR）系统被称为关键的万物互联启动器。然而，这一点仍有待实现。与此同时，新的万物互联服务，如扩展现实（XR）、远程医疗、互联自治系统等，正在大规模扩张这些应用不仅需要上行链路（UL）和下行链路（DL）上的高数据速率、可靠性和低延迟，而且还需要计算功能、通信和控制的端到端协同设计。为了满足这些严格的要求，第六代（6G）及以后（6GB）无线网络开始发挥作用，以应对新的万物互联应用带来的挑战。为了满足上面概述的新要求，新的无线电接入技术（RAT）必须被集成到6GB网络中，该6GB网络预期不仅依赖于传统频谱（即，亚6 GHz和毫米波），而且还在新的频段，即太赫兹波段和可见光通信（VLC），这承诺满足需求的完全连接和智能数字世界提供大规模的通信。除了新频谱，未来的6GB RAT最终将包括一系列新技术和网络架构，这些技术和网络架构最近通过PHY层的研究进展而得以实现，但尚未成为5G的一部分，例如智能反射表面（IRS）和无小区超大规模多输入多输出（CF-UM-MIMO）。 该提案的目标是在多个方面提供创新的解决方案，包括收发器设计、新的中继解决方案和网络架构，以满足未来6GB的严格要求。这包括新的信道参数估计技术和新颖的鲁棒分布式协作波束成形（RDCB）设计的UM-MIMO太赫兹收发器。此外，我们计划研究新的同步和信道估计技术和RDCB设计在IRS辅助通信链路。另一方面，我们计划为未来的6GB网络开发创新的CF-UM-MIMO架构。 在该计划的保护伞下，依靠其及时的范围和申请人的记录，预计将通过潜在的专利申请，战略产品和业务发展选择的援助以及标准化工作进行重大技术转让。该计划预计将通过以下方式为加拿大带来巨大的科学、经济和社会效益：i）推进关键技术领域的专有技术，实现6GB网络和万物互联应用，ii）促进21世纪数字经济中下一次无线网络革命的到来，iii）协助向加拿大工业转移技术，iv）在充满活力的ICT行业提供高质量的HQP培训。

The dawn of the Internet of Everything (IoE), with the continuous growth of wireless capacity, requires revolutionary paradigm shifts from enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) to ultra-reliable and low-latency communications (URLLC) services. Fifth generation (5G) new radio (5G NR) system was branded as a key IoE launcher. Nevertheless, this remains to be realized. In the meantime, new IoE services such as eXtended reality (XR), telemedicine, connected autonomous systems, etc., are in massive expansion. These applications not only require high data rates, reliability, and low latency both on uplink (UL) and downlink (DL), but also an end-to-end co-design of computing functionalities, communication, and control. To meet these stringent requirements, sixth generation (6G) and beyond (6GB) wireless networks come to play to answer the challenges arising with the new IoE applications. To meet the new requirements outlined above, new radio access technologies (RATs) must be integrated into 6GB networks that are expected to rely not only on conventional spectrum (i.e., sub-6 GHz and mmW), but also on new frequency bands unchartered yet, namely the THz band and visible light communications (VLC) which promise to meet the demands for a fully connected and intelligent digital world offering massive-scale communications. Besides the new spectrum, future 6GB RATs will include eventually a set of new technologies and network architectures that have been recently enabled by research advancements in the PHY layer but are not yet part of 5G such as intelligent reflecting surfaces (IRS) and cell-free ultra-massive multiple input multiple output (CF-UM-MIMO). The objective of this proposal is to produce innovative solutions at multiple fronts including transceiver designs, new relaying solutions, and network architecture to keep up with future 6GB stringent requirements. This includes new channel parameter estimation techniques and novel robust distributed collaborative beamforming (RDCB) designs for UM-MIMO THz transceivers. Besides, we plan to investigate new synchronization and channel estimation techniques and RDCB designs over IRS-aided communication links. On another front, we plan develop innovative CF-UM-MIMO architectures for future 6GB networks. Under the umbrella of this program and relying on its timely scope and on the applicant's record, major technological transfers are expected through potential patent applications, assistance in strategic product & business development choices, and standardization effort. Tremendous scientific, economic, and social benefits for Canada are expected from this program by: i) advancing know-how in crucial technical areas that enable 6GB networks & IoE apps, ii) facilitating the advent of the next wireless networks revolution in the 21st-century digital economy, iii) assisting technology transfers to Canadian industry, and iv) providing top-quality HQP training in a vibrant ICT sector.