Submit to Electronics Review for Electronics Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Smart Communication and Networking in the 6G Era

Print Special Issue Flyer
Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
Published Papers

A special issue of Electronics (ISSN 2079-9292). This special issue belongs to the section "Microwave and Wireless Communications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 September 2024) | Viewed by 17027

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Minghui Li

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

James Watt School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland, UK
Interests: phased array systems; array design and synthesis; array signal processing; beamforming; direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation; smart antennas; evolutionary computation; radar systems; wireless communications; non-destructive testing and evaluation; medical imaging and diagnosis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Sye Loong Keoh

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

School of Computing Science, Sir Alwyn Williams Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8RZ, Scotland, UK
Interests: Internet-of-Things; cyber security; next generation networking; device-to-device communication; ad-hoc networking; trustworthy AI; blockchain
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Smart devices and Internet-of-Things (IoT) sensors are infiltrating our lives from all directions and helping us in various aspects of life. These devices will enable the realization of advanced services such as e-health and telemedicine, smart traffic, environment monitoring and control, digital sensing, virtual reality (VR) and navigation. Information fusion and communication with each other are crucial for the success of these smart devices and sensors. It is predicted that the number of IoT devices will reach 25 billion by the year 2025. It would be extremely challenging for the existing multiple access techniques and communication systems to accommodate such a huge number of devices, given the fact that these machines need to communicate with each other and with human beings to optimize their quality and performance. The next-generation, or 6G, communication system is well-positioned to address these challenges and aims to achieve even higher energy and spectral efficiency, lower latency, and greater system capacity.

Researchers around the globe are proposing cutting edge technologies for smart communication and networking as the key and enabling technologies in the realization of 6G communications, including artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, software-defined networks, tera-Hertz and millimeter wave communication, non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA), etc.

This Special Issue aims to attract and encourage submissions in the area of smart communication and networking in the 6G era. Both original research and review papers are welcome. The topics of interest for this Special Issue include, but are not limited to, the following:

Millimeter-wave (mmWave) and tera-hertz (THz) communication;
Smart and highly directive antennas;
Ultra-high-precise positioning and localization;
Clouds, fog, and edge computing;
Advanced beamforming with very large-scale antenna;
Artificial intelligence and machine learning;
Intelligent sensing, communication and computing;
Blockchain for secure and resilient communication;
Cyber security for smart communication;
Next generation communication network architecture;
Enabling technologies for smart communication;
Network intelligence, self-organization, self-reconfiguration.

Dr. Minghui Li
Dr. Sye Loong Keoh
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Electronics is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

6G communication, mmWave, smart antenna
beamforming
artificial intelligence
blockchain
cyber security
next-generation communication architecture

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (10 papers)

Download All Papers

Order results

Result details

Show export options Show export options

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

28 pages, 769 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Performance Evaluation of UDP-Based Data Transmission with Acknowledgment for Various Network Topologies in IoT Environments

by Bereket Endale Bekele, Krzysztof Tokarz, Nebiyat Yilikal Gebeyehu, Bolesław Pochopień and Dariusz Mrozek

Electronics 2024, 13(18), 3697; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13183697 - 18 Sep 2024

Viewed by 1140

Abstract

The rapid expansion of Internet-of-Things (IoT) applications necessitates a thorough understanding of network configurations to address unique challenges across various use cases. This paper presents an in-depth analysis of three IoT network topologies: linear chain, structured tree, and dynamic transition networks, each designed to meet the specific requirements of industrial automation, home automation, and environmental monitoring. Key performance metrics, including round-trip time (RTT), server processing time (SPT), and power consumption, are evaluated through both simulation and hardware experiments. Additionally, this study introduces an enhanced UDP protocol featuring an acknowledgment mechanism and a power consumption evaluation, aiming to improve data transmission reliability over the standard UDP protocol. Packet loss is specifically measured in hardware experiments to compare the performance of standard and enhanced UDP protocols. The findings show that the enhanced UDP significantly reduces packet loss compared to the standard UDP, enhancing data delivery reliability across dynamic and structured networks, though it comes at the cost of slightly higher power consumption due to additional processing. For network topology performance, the linear chain topology provides stable processing but higher RTT, making it suitable for applications such as tunnel monitoring; the structured tree topology offers low energy consumption and fast communication, ideal for home automation; and the dynamic transition network, suited for industrial Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs), encounters challenges with adaptive routing. These insights guide the optimization of communication protocols and network configurations for more efficient and reliable IoT deployments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Communication and Networking in the 6G Era)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

23 pages, 2005 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Compressive Sensing-Based Channel Estimation for Uplink and Downlink Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface-Aided Millimeter Wave Massive MIMO Systems

by Olutayo Oyeyemi Oyerinde, Adam Flizikowski, Tomasz Marciniak, Dmitry Zelenchuk and Telex Magloire Nkouatchah Ngatched

Electronics 2024, 13(15), 2909; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13152909 - 23 Jul 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 734

Abstract

This paper investigates single-user uplink and two-user downlink channel estimation in reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS)-aided millimeter-wave (mmWave) massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) wireless communication systems. Because of the difficulty associated with the estimation of channels in RIS-aided wireless communication systems, channel state information (CSI) is assumed to be known at the receiver in some previous works in the literature. By assuming that prior knowledge of the line-of-sight (LoS) channel between the RIS and the base station (BS) is known, two compressive sensing-based channel estimation schemes that are based on simultaneous orthogonal matching pursuit and structured matching pursuit (StrMP) algorithms are proposed for estimation of uplink channel between RIS and user equipment (UE), and joint estimations of downlink channels between BS and a UE, and between RIS and another UE, respectively. The proposed channel estimation schemes exploit the inherent common sparsity shared by the angular domain mmWave channels at different subcarriers. The superiority of one of the proposed channel estimation techniques, the StrMP-based channel estimation technique, with negligibly higher computational complexity cost compared with other channel estimators, is documented through extensive computer simulation. Specifically, with a reduced pilot overhead, the proposed StrMP-based channel estimation scheme exhibits better performance than other channel estimation schemes considered in this paper for signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) between 0 dB and 5 dB upward at different instances for both uplink and downlink scenarios, respectively. However, below these values of SNR the proposed StrMP-based channel estimation scheme will require higher pilot overhead to perform optimally. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Communication and Networking in the 6G Era)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 6688 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Wideband Millimeter-Wave Perforated Hemispherical Dielectric Resonator Antenna

by Waled Albakosh, Rawad Asfour, Yas Khalil and Salam K. Khamas

Electronics 2024, 13(9), 1694; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13091694 - 27 Apr 2024

Viewed by 1166

Abstract

This paper presents a novel wideband circularly polarized millimeter-wave (mmWave) hemispherical dielectric resonator antenna (HDRA). Two distinct configurations of alumina dielectric resonator antennas (DRAs) are investigated, each featuring a different coating: the first configuration incorporates a polyimide layer, while the second involves a perforated alumina. Both configurations demonstrate promising characteristics, including impedance and axial ratio (AR) bandwidths of 58% and 17.7%, respectively, alongside a maximum gain of 10 dBic at 28 GHz. Leveraging additive manufacturing technology, the HDRA with the perforated coating layer is fabricated, simplifying assembly and eliminating potential air gaps between layers, thereby enhancing the overall performance. This innovative approach yields a circularly polarized (CP) HDRA suitable for Beyond 5G (B5G) communication systems. Agreement between measurements and simulations validates the efficacy of the proposed design, affirming its potential in practical applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Communication and Networking in the 6G Era)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

23 pages, 5232 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Continual Monitoring of Respiratory Disorders to Enhance Therapy via Real-Time Lung Sound Imaging in Telemedicine

by Murdifi Muhammad, Minghui Li, Yaolong Lou and Chang-Sheng Lee

Electronics 2024, 13(9), 1669; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13091669 - 26 Apr 2024

Viewed by 2856

Abstract

This work presents a configurable Internet of Things architecture for acoustical sensing and analysis for frequent remote respiratory assessments. The proposed system creates a foundation for enabling real-time therapy and patient feedback adjustment in a telemedicine setting. By allowing continuous remote respiratory monitoring, the system has the potential to give clinicians access to assessments from which they could make decisions about modifying therapy in real-time and communicate changes directly to patients. The system comprises a wearable wireless microphone array interfaced with a programmable microcontroller with embedded signal conditioning. Experiments on the phantom model were conducted to demonstrate the feasibility of reconstructing acoustic lung images for detecting obstructions in the airway and provided controlled validation of noise resilience and imaging capabilities. An optimized denoising technique and design innovations provided 7 dB more SNR and 7% more imaging accuracy for the proposed system, benchmarked against digital stethoscopes. While further clinical studies are warranted, initial results suggest potential benefits over single-point digital stethoscopes for internet-enabled remote lung monitoring needing noise immunity and regional specificity. The flexible architecture aims to bridge critical technical gaps in frequent and connected respiratory function at home or in busy clinical settings challenged by ambient noise interference. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Communication and Networking in the 6G Era)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 3098 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Assessment of Receiver Algorithms for Distributed Massive MIMO Systems: Investigating Design Solutions and Performance

by Ali Gashtasbi, Mário Marques da Silva and Rui Dinis

Electronics 2024, 13(8), 1560; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13081560 - 19 Apr 2024

Viewed by 1162

Abstract

This study investigates receiver design solutions for distributed Massive Multiple Input Multiple Output (D-m MIMO) systems, taking into account parameters such as number of access points as well as concerns related to channel estimates that use single-carrier frequency-domain equalization (SC-FDE). A significant contribution of this research is the integration of Low-Density Parity-Check (LDPC) codes to simplify coding complexity and enhance communication efficiency. The research examines different receiver designs, such as spatial antenna correlation and sophisticated channel estimation methods. The authors propose integrating LDPC codes into the receiver architecture to simplify computations and enhance error correction and decoding. Moreover, the paper examines performance evaluation measures and approaches, highlighting the trade-offs among complexity, spectral efficiency, and error performance. The comparative analysis indicates the benefits, in terms of performance, of incorporating LDPC codes and improving system throughput and dependability. We examine four distinct receiver algorithms: zero-forcing (ZF), minimum mean square error (MMSE), maximum ratio combining (MRC), and equal gain combining (EGC). The study shows that MRC and EGC receivers work well in D-m MIMO because they make the receiver system less computationally demanding. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Communication and Networking in the 6G Era)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 392 KiB

Open AccessArticle

On the Use of Near-Field Constellation Focusing for Physical Layer Security with Extremely Large Antenna Arrays

by João Ferreira, João Guerreiro, Rui Dinis and Paulo Montezuma

Electronics 2024, 13(5), 869; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13050869 - 23 Feb 2024

Viewed by 852

Abstract

In the fast-changing world of wireless communications, the combination of extremely large antenna arrays (ELAAs) and energy-efficient transmission methods is envisioned for the 6G. The application of directivity in the transmitted constellation can increase physical layer security (PLS) and promote the energy efficiency of transmission. In such scenarios, large constellations can be divided into multiple binary phase shift keying (BPSK) components, with each component being individually amplified and transmitted by an antenna. In this work, we consider an ELAA acting as a transmitter and constellation decomposition at the sub-array level. We investigate the impact of considering a near-field channel model in terms of secrecy rate and mutual information. In addition to the energy efficiency of the constellation decomposition, it is demonstrated that the particularities of near-field beamforming increase the PLS, namely in terms of robustness to eavesdropping. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Communication and Networking in the 6G Era)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 1913 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dynamic Telemetry and Deep Neural Networks for Anomaly Detection in 6G Software-Defined Networks

by Grzegorz Rzym, Amadeusz Masny and Piotr Chołda

Electronics 2024, 13(2), 382; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13020382 - 17 Jan 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1704

Abstract

With the increasing availability of computational power, contemporary machine learning has undergone a paradigm shift, placing a heightened emphasis on deep learning methodologies. The pervasive automation of various processes necessitates a critical re-evaluation of contemporary network implementations, specifically concerning security protocols and the imperative need for swift, precise responses to system failures. This article introduces a meticulously crafted solution designed explicitly for 6G software-defined networks (SDNs). The approach employs deep neural networks for anomaly detection within network traffic, contributing to a more robust security framework. Furthermore, the paper delves into the realm of network monitoring automation by harnessing dynamic telemetry, providing a specialized and forward-looking strategy to tackle the distinctive challenges inherent in SDN environments. In essence, our proposed solution aims to elevate the security and responsiveness of 6G mobile networks. By addressing the intricate challenges posed by next-generation network architectures, it seeks to fortify these networks against emerging threats and dynamically adapt to the evolving landscape of next-generation technology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Communication and Networking in the 6G Era)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 3510 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Intelligent Pick-and-Place System Using MobileNet

by Fan Hong, Donavan Wei Liang Tay and Alfred Ang

Electronics 2023, 12(3), 621; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics12030621 - 26 Jan 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2941

Abstract

The current development of a robotic arm solution for the manufacturing industry requires performing pick-and-place operations for work pieces varying in size, shape, and color across different stages of manufacturing processes. It aims to reduce or eliminate the human error and human intervention in order to save manpower costs and enhance safety at the workplace. Machine learning has become more and more prominent for object recognition in these pick-and-place applications with the aid of imaging devices and advances in the image processing hardware. One of the key tasks in object recognition is feature extraction and object classification based on convolutional neural network (CNN) models, which are generally computationally intensive. In this paper, an intelligent object detection and picking system based on MobileNet is developed and integrated into an educational six-axis robotic arm, which requires less computation resources. An experimental test is conducted on six-axis robotic arm called Niryo One to train the model and identify three objects with difference shapes and colors. It is shown by the confusion matrix that the MobileNet model achieves an accuracy of 91%, a dramatic improvement compared to 65% of the Niryo One’s original sequential model. The statistical study also shows the MobileNet can achieve a higher precision with more clustered spread of accuracy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Communication and Networking in the 6G Era)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

32 pages, 1681 KiB

Open AccessReview

Trust Evaluation Techniques for 6G Networks: A Comprehensive Survey with Fuzzy Algorithm Approach

by Elmira Saeedi Taleghani, Ronald Iván Maldonado Valencia, Ana Lucila Sandoval Orozco and Luis Javier García Villalba

Electronics 2024, 13(15), 3013; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13153013 - 31 Jul 2024

Viewed by 997

Abstract

Sixth-generation (6G) networks are poised to support an array of advanced technologies and promising high-quality and secure services. However, ensuring robust security, privacy protection, operational efficiency, and superior service delivery poses significant challenges. In this context, trust emerges as a foundational element that is critical for addressing the multifaceted challenges inherent in 6G networks. This review article comprehensively examines trust concepts, methodologies, and techniques that are vital for establishing and maintaining a secure and reliable 6G ecosystem. Beginning with an overview of the trust problem in 6G networks, this study underscores their pivotal role in navigating the network’s complexities. It proceeds to explore the conceptual frameworks underpinning trust and discuss various trust models tailored to the unique demands of 6G networks. Moreover, this article surveys a range of scholarly works presenting diverse techniques for evaluating trust by using the fuzzy logic algorithm, which is essential for ensuring the integrity and resilience of 6G networks. Through a meticulous analysis of these techniques, this study elucidates their technical nuances, advantages, and limitations. By offering a comprehensive assessment of trust evaluation methodologies, this review facilitates informed decision making in the design and implementation of secure and trustworthy 6G networks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Communication and Networking in the 6G Era)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 3863 KiB

Open AccessReview

Sixth-Generation (6G) Networks for Improved Machine-to-Machine (M2M) Communication in Industry 4.0

by Izabela Rojek, Piotr Kotlarz, Janusz Dorożyński and Dariusz Mikołajewski

Electronics 2024, 13(10), 1832; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13101832 - 9 May 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2166

Abstract

The sixth generation of mobile networks (6G) has the potential to revolutionize the way we communicate, interact, and use information for machine-to-machine (M2M) communication in Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0, while also improving coverage in places that were previously considered difficult to access and/or digitally excluded, and supporting more devices and users. The 6G network will have an impact through a combination of many technologies: the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence/machine learning, virtual and augmented reality, cloud computing, and cyber security. New solutions and architectures and concepts for their use need to be developed to take full advantage of this. This article provides an overview of the challenges in this area and the proposed solutions, taking into account the disruptive technologies that are yet to be developed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Communication and Networking in the 6G Era)

► Show Figures

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Smart Communication and Networking in the 6G Era

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Published Papers (10 papers)

Research

Review

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI