Professor Timothy O’Farrell, University of Sheffield

The sixth generation (6G) of mobile networks will standardise wideband waveforms for extremely diverse operating environments and applications spanning a huge radio frequency range from low-bands (sub-6 GHz), through mid-bands (6–24 GHz) to high-bands (24–220 GHz). Previous generations of mobile networks have standardised a single waveform, which, since 4G was introduced, has been Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM). The challenging mix of operating environments used by 6G prohibits a single waveform solution. Instead, the system optimises between a group of waveforms for best-case system performance for each application and operating environment. This has significant implications for realising the radio system.

The radio and waveform interdependence needs a major holistic development of the radio system in 6G. The key design features include forward error correction coding, multiple access, advanced multiple-in multiple-out techniques, software-defined radio architectures, interfaces between analogue and digital worlds, a degree of RF integration in the radio frontend, and the choice of protocols and computational technology.

The proposed Research Chair work programme addresses these challenges from two waveform perspectives. Firstly, 6G waveforms evolved from OFDM will be developed based on Orthogonal Sequence Division Multiplexing, which is straightforward to implement in 6G radio systems. Secondly, waveforms based on new native artificial intelligence air interface techniques will be developed, which will redefine signal processing in radio systems. The work programme will extensively use the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) National 6G Radio Systems Facility recently established at Sheffield and supported by Keysight Technologies.