AI/ML-Driven 6G Network Solutions With Energy Efficiency Considerations
IEEE Access, vol. 14, pp. 39617–39645
Abstract
This paper highlights key areas in which AI/ML can play a transformative role in 6G, with an emphasis on energy-efficient solutions. Contextualized within Germany’s national 6G research initiative, "6G Access, Network of Networks, Automation and Simplification" (6G-ANNA) emerges as the lighthouse project, providing a holistic vision that sets the direction for numerous specialized research efforts. Within this context, this paper aims to present ideas relevant to both academia and industry by identifying key research directions for AI/ML. We begin by reviewing the latest developments in using AI/ML for the Fifth Generation (5G) New Radio (NR) air interface as discussed in 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Releases 18 and 19, and examine how these advancements pave the way for a native and energy-efficient AI/ML air interface in 6G. Key results are presented on AI/ML-driven optimization of radio frequency (RF) frontends, along with a strong focus on the role of AI/ML in diverse signal processing tasks and energy saving mechanisms, which demonstrate the potential of AI/ML in improving spectral efficiency and reducing energy consumption. The discussion further introduces methodologies for testing AI/ML-based signal processing tailored for the 6G physical layer, addressing practical challenges relevant to industry stakeholders and standard development organizations. Finally, we discuss the standardization aspects critical for realizing a future AI-native air interface in 6G, aligning our findings with ongoing and upcoming global standardization activities.
Authors 28
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Affiliation as printed
Rohde&Schwarz GmbH and Co. KG, Munich, Germany
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Ericsson Research, Ericsson GmbH, Herzogenrath, Germany
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Fraunhofer Institute for Telecommunications, Heinrich Hertz Institute
Affiliation as printed
Fraunhofer Institute for Telecommunications, Heinrich-Hertz-Institute (HHI), Berlin, Germany
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Fraunhofer Institute for Telecommunications, Heinrich Hertz Institute
Affiliation as printed
Fraunhofer Institute for Telecommunications, Heinrich-Hertz-Institute (HHI), Berlin, Germany
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Affiliation as printed
Chair for Distributed Signal Processing, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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Affiliation as printed
Communication Networks Institute (CNI), TU Dortmund University, Dortmund, Germany
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Affiliation as printed
Department of Communications Engineering, Universität Bremen, Bremen, Germany
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Affiliation as printed
Department of Communications Engineering, Universität Bremen, Bremen, Germany
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Affiliation as printed
Communication Networks Institute (CNI), TU Dortmund University, Dortmund, Germany
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Affiliation as printed
Department of Communications Engineering, Universität Bremen, Bremen, Germany
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Affiliation as printed
Ericsson Research, Ericsson GmbH, Herzogenrath, Germany
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Technische Universität Dresden
Affiliation as printed
Vodafone Chair for Mobile Communications Systems, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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Fraunhofer Institute for Telecommunications, Heinrich Hertz Institute
Affiliation as printed
Fraunhofer Institute for Telecommunications, Heinrich-Hertz-Institute (HHI), Berlin, Germany
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Technische Universität Dresden
Affiliation as printed
Chair of Information Theory and Machine Learning, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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Affiliation as printed
Department of Communications Engineering, Universität Bremen, Bremen, Germany
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Technische Universität Dresden
Affiliation as printed
Vodafone Chair for Mobile Communications Systems, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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Rheinland-Pfälzische Technische Universität Kaiserslautern-Landau
Affiliation as printed
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Division of Wireless Communications and Radio Navigation, University of Kaiserslautern-Landau (RPTU), Kaiserslautern, Germany
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Technische Universität Dresden
Affiliation as printed
Vodafone Chair for Mobile Communications Systems, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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Technische Universität Dresden
Affiliation as printed
Vodafone Chair for Mobile Communications Systems, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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Affiliation as printed
Chair for Distributed Signal Processing, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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Affiliation as printed
Digital Communication Systems (DCS), Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
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Technische Universität Dresden
Affiliation as printed
Chair of Information Theory and Machine Learning, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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Rheinland-Pfälzische Technische Universität Kaiserslautern-Landau
Affiliation as printed
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Division of Wireless Communications and Radio Navigation, University of Kaiserslautern-Landau (RPTU), Kaiserslautern, Germany
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Technische Universität Dresden
Affiliation as printed
Vodafone Chair for Mobile Communications Systems, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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Affiliation as printed
Digital Communication Systems (DCS), Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
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Fraunhofer Institute for Telecommunications, Heinrich Hertz Institute
Affiliation as printed
Fraunhofer Institute for Telecommunications, Heinrich-Hertz-Institute (HHI), Berlin, Germany
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Affiliation as printed
Communication Networks Institute (CNI), TU Dortmund University, Dortmund, Germany
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Affiliation as printed
Department of Communications Engineering, Universität Bremen, Bremen, Germany
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