6G Vehicular Networks: Vision, Standards, and Key Enabling Technologies for the Internet of Vehicles (IoV)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18486/ijcsnt/15.1.006Keywords:
6G-V2X, Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC), Terahertz (THz), Autonomous Vehicles, Internet of Verticals (6G-IoV), 3GPP Standards, Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS), Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN), Federated LearningAbstract
As 5G networks become fully developed, the pressure for fully autonomous driving combined with the delivery of captivating in-vehicle experiences has revealed serious shortcomings in terms of latency, reliability, and massive connectivity. In this paper, we propose a holistic vision for the use of 6G in Vehicular Networks, thus going beyond mere communication to an "Internet of Verticals" (6G-IoV) which virtualizes and orchestrates entire industry entities. We look into the standardization landscape changes with a specific highlight on the evolution from NR-V2X Side link to 6G protocols as per the 3GPP-Releases 20 and 21. The paper delineates five major enabling technologies: Terahertz (THz) communication for exchanging ultra-high throughput raw sensor data; Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) for environmental awareness headlined by "native" without dedicated sensors; Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS) to solve blockage via server programmable propagation in urban canyons; On Terrestrial Networks (NTN) for 3D coverage experience with LEO satellites and UAVs; and Native AI for network autonomous orchestration and federated intelligence. In the end, the paper discusses research issues in security in decentralized vehicular ledgers and the physical-layer challenges of high-mobility 6G channels.
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