Antenna research directions for 6G: A brief overview through sampling literature

Abstract

Antennas are a critical component in any wireless link. The significance of their role continues to grow, together with the rise of machine-to-machine (M2M) communications and telecommunications starting to move from the fourth generation (4G, or Long-Term Evolution, LTE) to the fifth generation (5G) and beyond 5G (B5G), and also due to the prominence of the convenience promised by the ubiquitous wireless communications. The antennas, or more precisely their large size and appearance, also become a subject of public debate, leading to the need for better antennas, which are can do both: provide high performance and offer visually attractive or nearly invisible/transparent designs. This work reviews several key research trends in antennas to fulfill these demands for the fifth generation of communications (5G) and beyond, especially 6G, and considers novel antenna techniques and designs needed to increase the smartness of the antenna systems and to provide improved beamforming and security.