Toward Wisdom-Evolutionary and Primitive-Concise 6G: A New Paradigm of Semantic Communication Networks. (January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Ping; Xu, Wenjun; Gao, Hui; Niu, Kai; Xu, Xiaodong; Qin, Xiaoqi; Yuan, Caixia; Qin, Zhijin; Zhao, Haitao; Wei, Jibo; Zhang, Fangwei
• Is Part Of: Engineering. Volume 8(2022)
• Page Start: 60
• Page End: 73
• Publication Date: 2022-01
• Subjects: 6G -- Semantic information -- Semantic communication -- Intelligent communication; Engineering -- Periodicals; Engineering -- China -- Periodicals; 620.005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.eng.2021.11.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2095-8099

Abstract

Abstract: The sixth generation (6G) mobile networks will reshape the world by offering instant, efficient, and intelligent hyper-connectivity, as envisioned by the previously proposed Ubiquitous-X 6G networks. Such hyper-massive and global connectivity will introduce tremendous challenges into the operation and management of 6G networks, calling for revolutionary theories and technological innovations. To this end, we propose a new route to boost network capabilities toward a wisdom-evolutionary and primitive-concise network (WePCN) vision for the Ubiquitous-X 6G network. In particular, we aim to concretize the evolution path toward the WePCN by first conceiving a new semantic representation framework, namely semantic base, and then establishing an intelligent and efficient semantic communication (IE-SC) network architecture. In the IE-SC architecture, a semantic intelligence plane is employed to interconnect the semantic-empowered physical-bearing layer, network protocol layer, and application-intent layer via semantic information flows. The proposed architecture integrates artificial intelligence and network technologies to enable intelligent interactions among various communication objects in 6G. It features a lower bandwidth requirement, less redundancy, and more accurate intent identification. We also present a brief review of recent advances in semantic communications and highlight potential use cases, complemented by a range of open challenges for 6G.