OPPO has officially released its new 6G white paper – A Versatile 6G with Minimised Kernel: To Build the Mobile World. Drawing on OPPO’s forward-looking research and exploration into 6G, the white paper proposes an innovative ‘versatile 6G system with minimised kernel’ that aims to provide a more actionable solution for the next generation of mobile communication systems. The proposed system “modularises” 6G capabilities and intelligently “splices” different capability modules according to the specific needs of any given scenario. This will enable 6G networks to be more adaptable and efficient when providing the underlying communications support for the convergence of masses of devices and networks in the future Bringing enhanced intelligence to connectivity with 6G. OPPO’s vision for 5G and 6G technology is to enable a truly mobile world. Steps towards this mobile future have already been made with 5G, which has evolved the role of communications technology from simple “connectivity” to the Internet of Things with a multitude of different devices.
Based on this vision, a key direction for the development of 6G technology will be the greater integration of AI technology into communications networks. Such networks will no longer be confined to just transmitting data: instead, they will be able to rapidly transmit and deploy a vast set of AI models. Among these models, a large number of AI agents will be trained to become intermediaries to help people manage and control all manner of things. As certain AI agents cannot exist in the physical world, this form of ‘management’ can only be realised in the virtual world. In these cases, digital twins representing physical objects will be constructed in the virtual world, enabling control of the physical world through these virtual proxies. In this way, 6G will help to further advance the Internet of Things from a series of connected devices to a series of converged devices operating as part of intelligent networks.
Based on this vision, the white paper proposes the role of 6G as one which facilitates communication between the virtual world and the real world, realising the interconnection and convergence of these two worlds to form the basis of the metaverse and the foundations for a truly mobile world. To realise this vision, OPPO has proposed a new design idea for 6G called “the versatile 6G system with minimised kernel”. The concept consists of a “minimised 6G kernel” that provides shared capabilities such as native AI, spectrum sharing and security, and multiple “6G subsystems”. The design comprises a suite of technologies covering disciplines such as the integration of AI and 6G, security architecture, spectrum sharing, mobile broadband and D2D protocols, improved low latency and reliability, the integration of communication and sensing, zero-power technology, and more. Compared to the “scalable parameter sets + network slices” approach to network resource allocation used in 5G, this new solution allows 6G to be better optimised for vertical applications.
Within this system, the minimised 6G kernel provides the underlying capabilities shared by all subsystems within the network. The AI capabilities integrated through 6G will help the network to efficiently deploy the different capabilities of the 6G subsystems to the corresponding vertical applications. By intelligently realising on-demand networking and resource allocation, the networks will be able to meet the ever-changing connectivity needs of different applications. At the same time, the new security structure will require the establishment of a multi-party trust model and endogenous security with intelligent security to protect a wide range of service data. Finally, flexible spectrum management and sharing will use blockchain technology to simplify spectrum allocation and management and improve spectrum utilisation efficiency.
To deal with the diverse demands of different applications on the networks, separate optimisations will be made for four different capabilities, including Clouding, Critical IoT, Ubiquitous IoT, and Sensing, with one or more subsystems designed for each of these capabilities. These subsystems can be combined and switched on-demand through AI to serve different industries and applications. For example, the 6G non-terrestrial network subsystem can break constraints imposed by time, cost, or geography by introducing additional satellite communication capabilities into the 6G system. This can support broader network coverage to better serve ap plications that place higher requirements on coverage over high data rates. Another example is the 6G sensing subsystem, which integrates both communication and sensing technologies. Partial localisation capabilities are already possible with 5G, however, with 6G, ubiquitous sensing functionality will be realised through the introduction of new sensing capabilities. By capturing every detail in the physical world, 6G networks will be able to support the construction of digital twins in the virtual world.
Current research into 6G technology is still in its infancy, and the industry as a whole is just beginning its exploration of this future technology. As a leader in the field, OPPO began its own initial research into 6G in 2019, beginning with research into new device form factors and new service requirements. OPPO’s key research directions for 6G include the integration of AI and wireless communications, zero-power communication technology, user-centric designs, the integration of communications and sensing, non-terrestrial networks, and terahertz/wireless optical communications. Through its participation in areas such as systems verification, technology research, and standardisation, OPPO has already been driving the development of technologies related to its key 6G research interests. In terms of standardisation, OPPO is also regularly involved with various standardisation organisations around the world, including ITU, 3GPP, CCSA, IMT-2030 Promotion Group, and FuTURE Forum. Going forward, OPPO will continue to work on bringing 5G to more users worldwide while continuing to explore how cutting-edge 6G technology can create a truly mobile world for global users. At MWC23, OPPO will showcase its prototype devices for technology applications based on 6G communication.
