English

6G Channel Modeling: Requirement, Measurement, Methodology and Simulator

Signal Processing 2025-09-08 v4

Abstract

Sixth-generation (6G) mobile communications have attracted substantial attention in the global research community of information and communication technologies (ICTs). 6G systems are expected to support not only extended 5G usage scenarios but also new usage scenarios, such as integrated sensing and communication (ISAC), integrated artificial intelligence (AI) and communication, and communication and ubiquitous connectivity. To achieve this goal, channel characteristics must be comprehensively studied and properly exploited to promote the design, standardization, and optimization of 6G systems. In this paper, we first summarize the requirements and challenges in 6G channel research. Our focus is on channels for six promising technologies enabling 6G, including ISAC, extremely large-scale MIMO (XL-MIMO), mid-band and terahertz (THz) technologies, reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs), and space-air-ground integrated networks (SAGINs). A survey of the progress in 6G channel research regarding the above six promising technologies is presented in terms of the latest measurement campaigns, new characteristics, modeling methods, and research prospects. To support testing, optimization and evaluation, existing 6G channel simulators are summarized. Then, BUPTCMCCCMG-IMT2030 is introduced as an example of a simulator that was developed on the basis of the ITU/3GPP 3D geometry-based stochastic model (GBSM) methodology. We also address open issues covering standardization activities, AI-enabled methods, and system performance analysis in the context of 6G channel research. This paper offers in-depth, hands-on insights into the best practices of channel measurements, modeling, and simulations for the evaluation of 6G technologies, the development of 6G standards, and the implementation and optimization of 6G systems.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2305.16616,
  title  = {6G Channel Modeling: Requirement, Measurement, Methodology and Simulator},
  author = {Jianhua Zhang and Jiaxin Lin and Pan Tang and Yuxiang Zhang and Huixin Xu and Tianyang Gao and Haiyang Miao and Huiwen Gong and Changsheng Zhao and Yameng Liu and Yichen Cai and Zhiqiang Yuan and Lei Tian and Shaoshi Yang and Liang Xia and Guangyi Liu and Ping Zhang},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2305.16616},
  year   = {2025}
}

Comments

52 pages,33 figures

R2 v1 2026-06-28T10:47:05.449Z