Enabling High-Capacity 6G Wireless Networks through Intelligent Multiple Access, Edge Intelligence, and Advanced Antenna Systems: A Review
Abstract
The development of 6G wireless networks will meet a multitude of communication requirements including ultra-high data rates, extensive connectivity, low latency and intelligent network management. For these goals, the use of advanced technologies to improve spectrum utilization, computing efficiency and network scalability will be required. The current review covers three technologies that are expected to be prevalent in the future of 6G networks: intelligent multiple access, edge intelligence and advanced antenna systems. In this paper, we cover advancements in intelligent multiple access technologies to enhance spectrum efficiency and user connectivity, and the role played by edge intelligence in developing distributed artificial intelligence, real-time decision making, and latency-aware resource management. Moreover, we review advanced antenna technologies - massive Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO), cell-free architectures and reconfigurable intelligent surfaces - and discuss their potential to enhance coverage, capacity and energy efficiency. In addition, we also compare recent work and discuss some of the research gaps in the field and the future research directions in smart and sustainable 6G communication technologies. The findings illustrated that the integration of intelligent multiple access technologies, edge intelligence and advanced antenna technologies would be critical for reliable and scalable wireless networks that would be able to support next generation applications such as extended reality, autonomous systems and large-scale IoT systems.
