Like other technical components of 6G, nothing about 6G core components are specified yet. In this note, I will be gathering various ideas and proposals from different sources and put highlights on those sources.

Big Trend in 6G Core Network

Where are we headed ?

Following illustrates the important point which 6G core should be aligned to and is proposed by Ericsson.

Image Source : 6G network architecture a proposal for early alignment

Enablers of Monetization and Exposure: This aspect underscores the critical role of developing capabilities to monetize the network from its inception. It involves the exposure of network capabilities and the automation of business processes to allow for new revenue streams that extend beyond mobile broadband services.

Automation of Network Operations: A key trend in the evolution towards 6G is the automation of network operations. This involves deploying artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to orchestrate and assure services, moving away from manual configurations and optimizations to AI-driven declarative and intent-based systems. It anticipates a future where networks can self-manage, self-heal, and self-optimize, thus enabling zero-touch operations. This shift is expected to drastically reduce the complexity of managing network operations and enable more agile and responsive networks.

Cloud-Native Design and Deployment: At the heart of the 6G network architecture evolution is the transition to cloud-native design principles. This entails adopting a cloud-native design for network functions, which allows for the separation of network functions from the underlying hardware, thus enabling more flexible and scalable deployments. Containerization and continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) methodologies are envisioned to be commonplace, promoting a more dynamic and resilient approach to network function deployment and management. The goal is to leverage cloud-native capabilities to build networks that are inherently more adaptable, scalable, and easier to maintain.

Network Architecture Evolution: The overall network architecture is anticipated to evolve to support the seamless integration of 5G advancements and the eventual transition to 6G. This includes the introduction and mainstreaming of 5G Standalone (SA) architectures, the introduction of advanced 5G features, and the eventual evolution toward 6G. The architecture evolution is guided by a vision that emphasizes spectrum aggregation, radio-access network architectural advancements, and an evolved core network that builds upon the extensibility and flexibility introduced with 5G

What we learned from 5G network deployment ?

There are several lessons that industry has learned in the course of 5G deployment and these lessons would give us insights on what should be considered in 6G network design.

Flexible is good but too much flexibility mean too much complexity :

• Increased configuration complexity due to multiple modes of inter-network function (NF) communication.
• The flexibility of the 5G core network led to increased standardization, development, and operational complexity.
• The continuous addition of new NFs and SBIs contributed to this complexity.

Focusing both NSA and SA results in deploying the network twice

• Industry divided focus between NSA (leveraging 4G infrastructure) and SA (pure 5G infrastructure) deployments.
• Communication service providers faced the challenge of launching 5G in two phases, first NSA then SA.
• Technical complexities emerged due to the tight coupling between 4G and 5G RAN required for NSA.

Learn with YouTube and AI

With the widespread of AI since early 2023, I have tried a little bit of new approach of study/learning utilizing various AI solutions. In this section, I am trying to pick up some of the YouTube materials that looks informative (at least) to me. The contents that I am sharing in this section is created as follows.

•   Watch the full contents of YouTube material myself
•   NOTE : This is essential since there are a lot of visual material that cannot be shared by the summary and also some details not captured by summary. If you skip this step, nothing would go through your brain... it would just go through YouTube and directly through AI. Then, AI would learn but you would not :)
•   Get the transcript from YouTube (As of 2023, YouTube provide the built-in function to generate the transcript for the video)
•   Copy the transcribe, save it into a text file. Paste the text file into chatGPT (GPT 4) and requested summary (NOTE : If you do not subscribe chatGPT paid version, you may try it with claude ai.)

This  is a detailed presentation about 6G technology, focusing on the design aspects for emerging 6G core networks. The speakers, Thomas Margadans and Dr. Marius Corichi, discuss various aspects of 6G readiness, including technological drivers, core competencies in network software development, and future roadmaps. Here's a detailed breakdown:

NOTE : This presentation does not have any concrete specification or solutions for 6G, but it gives insights on various issues/challenges in current network architecture and suggestion directions to go in future network. It would be helpful to get insight on the big picture of network architecture design. This is what I picked this presentation to share

• Introduction: Thomas Margadans introduces the presentation and its focus on 6G technology.
• Background: The speakers discuss their past 30 years of experience in telecommunications research, emphasizing the shift towards software-based networking.
• Technology Drivers for 6G: They highlight the key technology drivers for 6G, such as campus networks, Open RAN, disaggregation of RAN and core network functionalities, and terahertz communications.
• Campus Networks: The evolution of 5G to 6G is being driven by innovations in campus networks, where localized and specialized networking solutions are increasingly relevant.
• Open RAN: The Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN) is a significant driver, emphasizing the disaggregation of RAN functionalities, which allows for more flexible and customizable network deployments.
• RAN-Core Integration: This involves integrating radio access and core network functionalities for more efficient network operations and service delivery.
• Digital Sovereignty and Trust: The growing importance of digital sovereignty is highlighted, alongside the need for trusted and secure component-based infrastructure, especially in a multi-vendor environment.
• Terahertz Communications: A new radio interface for 6G, enabling higher data rates and capacities, as well as new capabilities like sensing and localization.
• Sustainability Goals: 6G is expected to focus on sustainability, including energy savings and efficient resource utilization.
• Diverse Mobility and Coverage Needs: The need to cater to different types of mobility and coverage area variations, including temporary, mobile, and national coverage scenarios.
• Integration with Satellite and Non-Terrestrial Networks: This aims at expanding the reach and resilience of 6G networks, especially in underserved areas.
• Dynamic and OrganicNetwork Environments : The concept of 'organic' core networks is introduced, emphasizing the need for networks that can dynamically integrate new access networks and adapt to varying service requirements.
• Data and AI-Driven Environments: The importance of artificial intelligence and data analytics in driving network adaptations to user needs and service requirements is emphasized.
•  Design Aspects of 6G Core Networks : The discussion includes the design and development of innovative core network software toolkits and the evolution from 5G to 6G technologies.
• Integration with Edge Computing : Emphasizes the importance of integrating 6G core networks with edge computing to enhance network capabilities and service delivery.
• Microservice-based Architecture : The 6G network is expected to adopt a microservice-based architecture, enabling more dynamic and scalable network functionalities.
• Enhanced Security and Reliability : The 6G core network design will prioritize enhanced security and reliability, acknowledging the diverse and complex network environment.
• Advanced Network Management : The use of advanced network management techniques, including automation and artificial intelligence, to manage and optimize network performance.
• Support for Terahertz Communications : Adapting the network to support terahertz communications, which is crucial for higher data rates and new communication capabilities in 6G.
• Dynamic Network Functionality : The design will allow for dynamic changes in network functionality, enabling the network to adapt to varying service requirements and environmental conditions.
• Carrier Aggregation for Handovers : Incorporating advanced carrier aggregation techniques to manage handovers in the network, especially important for the high frequencies used in terahertz communications.
• User-centric Network Customization: Focusing on user-centric network customization, ensuring that network services and capabilities are tailored to individual user needs and use cases.
• Functional Split and Deployment Strategies : Implementing functional splits and strategic deployment of network components to optimize performance and efficiency.
• Roadmap and Future Plans: They share their roadmap for the development of 6G technologies, including the integration of terahertz communications and non-terrestrial network infrastructures.
• Open RAN Integration : IncorporatingOpen Radio Access Network (Open RAN) principles into the evolution of 5G core infrastructure, with a specific focus on disaggregation principles.
• Project Engagements: Active participation in various projects including the Fraunhofer 6G Sentinel project, which is focused on evolving the 5G core towards 6G readiness, and the German 6G Hubs Infrastructure projects.
• Terahertz and Non-Terrestrial Network Infrastructures: Emphasizing the inclusion of terahertz communications and non-terrestrial network infrastructures in the transition from 5G to 6G.
• Organic 6G Core Development: Aiming to develop a new dynamic core infrastructure toolkit from scratch, embracing the main principles of 6G networking, and adopting a clean slate approach.
• Staged Approach: Highlighting a staged approach that allows customers and partners currently using the open 5G core to benefit from this evolution.
• Collaboration and Expansion: Seeking collaboration with new partners and customers to extend expertise and toolkit capabilities.
•  6G Core Network Architecture: The presentation covers the new design elements for 6G core networks, including functional splits, security enhancements, and integration with satellite and terrestrial networks.
• Integration with Edge Computing: Emphasizing the integration of 6G core networks with edge computing for enhanced service delivery.
• Microservice-based Architecture: Adoption of a microservice-based architecture for dynamic and scalable network functionalities.
• Enhanced Security and Reliability: Focus on security and reliability in the complex network environment of 6G.
• Advanced Network Management: Implementation of advanced network management techniques including automation and AI.
• Terahertz Communications Support: Adaptation of the network architecture to support terahertz communications.
• Dynamic Network Functionality: Enabling dynamic changes in network functionality to adapt to different service requirements and conditions.
• Carrier Aggregation for Efficient Handovers: Utilizing advanced carrier aggregation techniques for efficient network handovers.
• User-centric Network Customization: Prioritizing network customization based on individual user needs and use cases.
• Functional Splits and Deployment Strategies: Strategic deployment of network components and functional splits for optimal performance and efficiency.
• Conclusion: The presentation concludes with an invitation for collaboration and a reference to their website for more detailed information.

Reference

• 6G Ready (Fraunhofer)

YouTube

• Get 6G-ready: Design aspects for emerging 6G Organic Core Networks - 5G Forum (2022)
• 6G network architecture a proposal for early alignment - Ericsson (2023)