AI-based Joint Sensing, Communications, and Control for 6G Wireless Networks

未来的6G无线网络的目标是成为“互联智能”的平台，并成为物理世界和网络世界之间的桥梁。6G网络将利用低于6 GHz的频段以及四赫兹(THz)频段。6G网络可以通过整合地面和非地面通信系统来提供全球覆盖。6G网络将连接大量具有传感功能的异类无线/移动设备。通过使用毫米波和太赫兹频段，并利用基站作为宽带联网传感器，6G网络将具有支持联合传感和通信的能力。6G网络将支持增强现实(AR)、自动驾驶、车联网(V2X)和Industry 5.0等应用。无线接入网中的无线资源和核心网中的网络资源将由人工智能(AI)或机器学习算法控制。6G网络架构将分布式具有边缘计算能力，用于本地数据收集、培训和推理，以支持新的商业模式和基于AI的服务。6G网络的关键性能指标(KPI)包括：峰值数据速率1 TB/S，用户体验数据速率10-100 GB/S，空口时延0.1ms，室内定位精度1 cm，室外定位精度50 cm，可靠性99.99999。为了支持这些具有不同服务需求的应用，需要从根本上改变网络体系结构和协议堆栈。在这项拟议的研究计划中，长期目标是使新兴的6G网络(A)能够通过不同的KPI支持不同的使用案例，以及(B)以可扩展、稳健和频谱/能源高效的方式提供本地人工智能和传感服务。在短期内，我们将专注于三个相互关联的构建块：(1)为包括传感、分布式机器学习和AI即服务在内的新的6G应用开发支持AI的无线电接入网络和核心网络架构；(2)开发基于AI的空中接口、多址接入和调度算法，以支持不同的使用案例、地面和非地面网络接入以及大量异构设备；以及(3)开发基于深度学习的集成传感、通信、定位和成像算法。我们预计，我们的研究将在信息和通信技术(ICT)领域发现实用的新颖解决方案和应用。预计它们将在促进加拿大技术创新的长期竞争力方面产生持久影响。

The future 6G wireless networks aim to be a platform for "connected intelligence" and serve as a bridge between the physical world and the cyber world. 6G networks will utilize the sub-6 GHz frequency band as well as the tetrahertz (THz) frequency band. 6G networks can provide global coverage by integrating terrestrial and non-terrestrial communications systems. 6G networks will connect a massive number of heterogenous wireless/mobile devices with sensing capabilities. 6G networks will have the capability to support joint sensing and communications by using the millimeter wave and THz frequency bands and utilizing the base stations as wideband networked sensors. 6G networks will support applications such as augmented reality (AR), autonomous driving, vehicle to everything (V2X), and Industry 5.0. Radio resources in the radio access network and network resources in the core network will be controlled by artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning algorithms. The 6G network architecture will be distributed with edge computing capabilities for local data collection, training, and inference in order to support new business models and AI-based services. The key performance indicators (KPIs) for 6G networks include the following: peak data rate of 1 Tb/s, user-experienced data rate of 10 - 100 Gb/s, air interface latency of 0.1 ms, localization accuracy of 1 cm for indoor and 50 cm for outdoor environment, and a reliability of 99.99999%. In order to support these applications with different service requirements, fundamental changes to the network architecture and protocol stack are needed. In this proposed research program, the long-term objectives are to enable the emerging 6G networks (a) to support different use cases with diverse KPIs, and (b) to provide native AI and sensing services in a scalable, robust, and spectral/energy-efficient manner. In the short-term, we will focus on three inter-related building blocks: (1) to develop AI-enabled radio access network and core network architecture for new 6G applications including sensing, distributed machine learning, and AI as a service; (2) to develop AI-based air interface, multiple access and scheduling algorithms to support different use cases, terrestrial and non-terrestrial network access, and massive number of heterogeneous devices; and (3) to develop deep learning based integrated sensing, communications, localization, and imaging algorithms. We anticipate that our research will discover practical novel solutions and applications in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector. They are expected to have a lasting impact in contributing towards the long-term competitiveness of Canada's technological innovation.