Beyond 5G Networks: Integration of Communication, Computing, Caching, and Control

TL;DR

This paper surveys the integration of communication, computing, caching, and control (i4C) technologies as a key to advancing beyond 5G networks, highlighting recent trends, AI-based approaches, and future challenges.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of the i4C framework, including models, current research, AI integration, and open challenges for future 6G networks.

Findings

AI-based integration approaches are gaining prominence.

Sensing and communication integration (ISAC) is a key research area.

Open challenges include resource management and intelligence in networks.

Abstract

In recent years, the exponential proliferation of smart devices with their intelligent applications poses severe challenges on conventional cellular networks. Such challenges can be potentially overcome by integrating communication, computing, caching, and control (i4C) technologies. In this survey, we first give a snapshot of different aspects of the i4C, comprising background, motivation, leading technological enablers, potential applications, and use cases. Next, we describe different models of communication, computing, caching, and control (4C) to lay the foundation of the integration approach. We review current state-of-the-art research efforts related to the i4C, focusing on recent trends of both conventional and artificial intelligence (AI)-based integration approaches. We also highlight the need for intelligence in resources integration. Then, we discuss integration of sensing and communication (ISAC) and classify the integration approaches into various classes. Finally, we propose open challenges and present future research directions for beyond 5G networks, such as 6G.