The 5G Advanced, an evolution towards 6G

5G Advanced: Evolution towards 6G

Executive Summary

The first iteration of 5G has seen rapid deployment worldwide, marking just the beginning of a continuous evolution. With the launch of 5G Standalone (SA) as a foundation, communication service providers (CSPs) are poised for further advancements through the provision of new use cases, higher performance, and streamlined networks over the next few years. The Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) has initiated the specification of 5G Advanced, aiming to ensure global success of deployed systems and expand the utilization of 3GPP technology across diverse use cases and vertical sectors. A sustainable network design forms a cornerstone of the 5G Advanced system, with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) playing pivotal roles alongside other technological components.

Introduction

With the advent of 5G Advanced in 3GPP Release 18, the system evolves from the baseline defined in earlier releases. Notably, the first 5G Advanced release is anticipated by early 2024, setting the stage for stepping stones towards 6G. This whitepaper provides an overview of 5G Advanced, emphasizing its key pillars and technology components, alongside guidance on forthcoming features in Releases 18 and 19. It elucidates how 5G Advanced lays foundational groundwork for advancements leading up to the era of 6G.

5G Advanced Pillars

5G Performance: 5G Advanced boosts network performance through enhanced antenna systems and multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technologies. In Release 18, capacity is augmented in both uplink and downlink by supporting advanced demodulation reference symbols. This improvement is crucial for accommodating higher data rates to mobile users, with the MIMO beamforming framework being refined to dynamically switch between methods based on user speed.

Support for New Market Segments: This pillar focuses on the expansion of 5G’s reach into emerging markets and verticals, ensuring the technology’s applicability across a broader spectrum of industries and use cases.

Sustainable Networks: Environmental sustainability remains a critical focus area. 5G Advanced integrates AI/ML and other tools to enhance network energy efficiency, reducing the carbon footprint of 5G systems.

Intelligent Network Automation: Automation plays a significant role in optimizing network performance and resource allocation. AI/ML is explored for applications like enhanced mobility, load balancing, and positioning, among others.

Stepping Stone Towards 6G

The evolution of 5G Advanced is viewed as a stepping stone towards the development of 6G systems. Initial studies suggest that the formal standardization of 6G might commence from 3GPP Release 21, aiming for a basic 6G release by 2028, followed by continuous evolution. This transition underscores the importance of 5G Advanced in preparing the groundwork for future cellular wireless access technologies.

Conclusion

In summary, 5G Advanced represents a pivotal phase in the ongoing evolution of cellular wireless access technologies, aimed at enhancing network performance, expanding its applicability across diverse market segments, promoting environmental sustainability, and advancing network automation through AI/ML integration. This evolution sets the stage for seamless progression towards the next generation of wireless communication systems, 6G.