Toward 6G Optical Fronthaul: A Survey on Enabling Technologies and Research Perspectives

TL;DR

This survey reviews current and future optical fronthaul technologies essential for 6G networks, emphasizing high-speed, low-latency solutions to support ultra-high data rates and ubiquitous coverage.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of 6G optical fronthaul concepts, technologies, benefits, drawbacks, and future research directions, serving as a resource for researchers and industry.

Findings

Optical technologies are crucial for 6G fronthaul due to high-speed, low-latency requirements.

Current technologies have specific benefits and limitations for 6G deployment.

Future research is needed to address challenges and optimize optical fronthaul solutions.

Abstract

The anticipated launch of the Sixth Generation (6G) of mobile technology by 2030 will mark a significant milestone in the evolution of wireless communication, ushering in a new era with advancements in technology and applications. 6G is expected to deliver ultra-high data rates and almost instantaneous communications, with three-dimensional coverage for everything, everywhere, and at any time. In the 6G Radio Access Networks (RANs) architecture, the Fronthaul connects geographically distributed Remote Units (RUs) to Distributed/Digital Units (DUs)pool. Among all possible solutions for implementing 6G fronthaul, optical technologies will remain crucial in supporting the 6G fronthaul, as they offer high-speed, low-latency, and reliable transmission capabilities to meet the 6G strict requirements. This survey provides an explanation of the 5G and future 6G optical fronthaul concept and presents a comprehensive overview of the current state of the art and future research directions in 6G optical fronthaul, highlighting the key technologies and research perspectives fundamental in designing fronthaul networks for 5G and future 6G. Additionally, it examines the benefits and drawbacks of each optical technology and its potential applications in 6G fronthaul networks. This paper aims to serve as a comprehensive resource for researchers and industry professionals about the current state and future prospects of 6G optical fronthaul technologies, facilitating the development of robust and efficient wireless networks of the future.