Abstract:
Next-generation wireless systems rely on advanced waveforms to deliver enhanced user-experienced data rate, ultra-reliability, ultra-low latency, massive connectivity, and seamless integration with emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and extremely high frequency (EHF) bands. The Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP)’s early consensus for sixth generation (6G) wireless communication systems landed on the orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) family, namely cyclic prefix OFDM (CPOFDM) and discrete Fourier transform spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM). However, continued investigation into advanced waveforms remains critical for addressing emerging challenges and unlocking new capabilities. In the first place, the plethora of dynamic environments in 6G and beyond, such as high-speed trains, connected vehicles, high-altitude platform stations, and low-Earth orbit satellites, demands seamless and reliable information transmission. Communications in such environments face severe Doppler spreads, under which the widely deployed OFDM systems may become incompetent due to severe inter-carrier interference (ICI). Secondly, future wireless networks are expected to enable sensing and localization capabilities towards pervasive intelligent networks, facilitating unparalleled environmental and situational awareness across diverse use cases.
Against this background, advanced waveforms such as orthogonal time frequency space (OTFS), orthogonal delay division multiplexing (ODDM), orthogonal chirp division multiplexing (OCDM), affine frequency division multiplexing (AFDM), and others are emerging as promising solutions for 6G and beyond. These waveforms are being tailored to operate effectively in high-dynamic environments, extremely high frequency (EHF) bands, ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC), localization, and integrated sensing and communications (ISAC). The advent of these advanced waveforms presents an opportunity to redefine the foundations of future wireless networks.
This workshop aims to stimulate global waveform research by exploring the latest advancements, challenges, and opportunities. We invite contributions on theoretical innovations such as channel estimation, sensing and localization algorithms, novel detection schemes, AI-enhanced waveform design, and scalable multi-antenna or multi-user architectures, as well as practical implementations including hardware prototyping, standardization pathways, and industry trials. By fostering dialogue between academia and industry, this forum aims to accelerate the development of next-generation waveforms tailored to 6G’s transformative vision.
Organizers:
- Zeping Sui, University of Essex, U.K.
- Qu Luo, University of Surrey, U.K.
- Hyeon Seok Rou, Constructor University, Germany
- Yujie Liu, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
- Lixia Xiao, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China
- Huseyin Arslan, Istanbul Medipol University, Türkiye