6G Channel Modeling: Requirement, Measurement, Methodology and Simulator

TL;DR

This paper reviews the requirements, measurement techniques, modeling methods, and simulators for 6G channel research, focusing on six key enabling technologies and addressing open issues for standardization and system optimization.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive survey of 6G channel characteristics, measurement campaigns, modeling approaches, and simulators, with insights into best practices and future research directions.

Findings

Summarizes recent measurement campaigns and new channel characteristics for 6G technologies.

Reviews existing 6G channel simulators and introduces a new geometry-based stochastic model.

Identifies open issues in standardization, AI integration, and system performance analysis.

Abstract

Sixth-generation (6G) mobile communications have attracted substantial attention in the global research community of information and communication technologies (ICTs). 6G systems are expected to support not only extended 5G usage scenarios but also new usage scenarios, such as integrated sensing and communication (ISAC), integrated artificial intelligence (AI) and communication, and communication and ubiquitous connectivity. To achieve this goal, channel characteristics must be comprehensively studied and properly exploited to promote the design, standardization, and optimization of 6G systems. In this paper, we first summarize the requirements and challenges in 6G channel research. Our focus is on channels for six promising technologies enabling 6G, including ISAC, extremely large-scale MIMO (XL-MIMO), mid-band and terahertz (THz) technologies, reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs), and space-air-ground integrated networks (SAGINs). A survey of the progress in 6G channel research regarding the above six promising technologies is presented in terms of the latest measurement campaigns, new characteristics, modeling methods, and research prospects. To support testing, optimization and evaluation, existing 6G channel simulators are summarized. Then, BUPTCMCCCMG-IMT2030 is introduced as an example of a simulator that was developed on the basis of the ITU/3GPP 3D geometry-based stochastic model (GBSM) methodology. We also address open issues covering standardization activities, AI-enabled methods, and system performance analysis in the context of 6G channel research. This paper offers in-depth, hands-on insights into the best practices of channel measurements, modeling, and simulations for the evaluation of 6G technologies, the development of 6G standards, and the implementation and optimization of 6G systems.