As fifth-generation (5G) cellular networks transition from academic research to commercialization, the wireless communication community has already started exploring the road to improving the broadband connectivity for the sixth-generation (6G) wireless systems. The current targets for 2030 include data rates increased by orders of magnitude (with peak up to 1 Terabits-per-second or Tbps), support for very high mobility (with speed up to 1000 km/h), and ubiquitous coverage of rural and remote areas. The achievement of these objectives will ignite a plethora of new use cases (such as extreme capacity xHaul, high-mobility hotspots, and fully autonomous vehicles) while realizing the full potential of others that have just emerged in 5G (such as smart transportation and industrial automation/robotics). At present, several technologies are being regarded as potential enablers to achieve the desired paradigm shift, including the adoption of new spectral bands (from Terahertz to optical wireless communications), cell-free massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), intelligent reflecting surfaces (IRSs), integrated access and backhaul (IAB), and integrated terrestrial and satellite networks, to name a few. This workshop will focus on the enablers at the spectrum, infrastructure, and protocol/algorithmic levels that are required to realize the intended broadband connectivity goals in 6G, as well as its applications. It aims at gathering researchers from both academia and industry to open up new disruptive research avenues for the development of future wireless systems. It will include two keynotes, an interactive panel discussion, and up to 20 posters and presentations, with a session focused on 6G experimental platforms and demonstrations.

We invite submissions on a wide range of topics including, but not limited to, the following:

• mmWave communications, Terahertz communications, and optical wireless communications
  • Channel characteristics and modeling, feasibility studies
  • Initial access, beamforming, beam tracking, mobility solutions
  • Waveforms
• Energy efficiency
  • Energy consumption models
  • Joint RF-baseband optimization, end-to-end energy optimization
• Emerging physical-layer technologies
  • Intelligent reflecting surfaces (IRSs)
  • Cell-free massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO)
  • Holographic radio
• Machine learning in wireless communications
• Novel radio access network (RAN) architectures
  • Extreme capacity xHaul
  • Integration with non-terrestrial networks
  • Integrated access and backhaul (IAB)
  • High-mobility hotspots
• Prototypes, testbeds, and demonstrations for beyond-5G and 6G technologies

Tracks

• Spectrum enablers: Terahertz and optical wireless technologies, propagation modeling, ultra-broadband synchronization, channel and phase noise estimation and equalization.
• Infrastructure enablers: ultra-massive MIMO technology, intelligent reflecting surfaces, user-centric cell-free networking, integrated access and backhaul, and integrated space and terrestrial networks.
• Protocol/algorithmic enablers: improved coding, modulation, and waveforms to achieve lower latency, higher reliability, and reduced complexity.
• Prototypes, testbeds, and demonstrations: experimental analysis of beyond-5G and 6G technologies.

All manuscripts should be converted to PDF format and uploaded to the Trackchair system via https://vtc2021s-rr-wks.trackchair.com/track/1957/submit.

Accepted and presented papers will be published in the IEEE VTC Spring 2021 Conference Proceedings (Ei Compendex indexed) and submitted for inclusion in IEEE Xplore.

Important dates

Paper Submission: 3 January 2021