A Functional Architecture for 6G Special-Purpose Industrial IoT Networks
Nurul Huda Mahmood, Gilberto Berardinelli, Emil J. Khatib, Ramin Hashemi, César Thadeo de Lima, Matti Latva‐aho
Abstract
Future industrial applications will encompass compelling new use cases requiring stringent performance guarantees over multiple key performance indicators, such as reliability, dependability, latency, time synchronization, security, etc. Achieving such stringent and diverse service requirements necessitates the design of a <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">special-purpose Industrial-Internet-of-Things (IIoT) network</i> comprising a multitude of specialized functionalities and technological enablers. This article proposes an innovative architecture for such a special-purpose sixth generation (6G) IIoT network incorporating seven functional building blocks categorized into <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">special-purpose functionalities</i> and <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">enabling technologies</i> . The former consists of <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">Wireless Environment Control</i> , <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">Traffic/Channel Prediction</i> , <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">Proactive Resource Management,</i> and <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">End-to-End Optimization</i> functions, whereas the latter includes <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">Synchronization and Coordination</i> , <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence Algorithms</i> , and <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">Auxiliary Functions</i> . The proposed architecture aims at providing a resource-efficient and holistic solution for the complex and dynamically challenging requirements imposed by future 6G industrial use cases. Selected test scenarios are provided and assessed to illustrate cross-functional collaboration and demonstrate the applicability of the proposed architecture in a wireless IIoT network.