TY - JOUR
T1 - Near-field communications
T2 - characteristics, technologies, and engineering
AU - Zhao, Yajun
AU - Dai, Linglong
AU - Zhang, Jianhua
AU - Ji, Ran
AU - Jian, Mengnan
AU - Xue, Hao
AU - Yu, Hongkang
AU - Sun, Yunqi
AU - Lu, Yu
AU - Wu, Zidong
AU - Xu, Zhuo
AU - Li, Jinke
AU - Miao, Haiyang
AU - Yuan, Zhiqiang
AU - Tang, Pan
AU - Shen, Jiayu
AU - Gong, Tierui
AU - Liu, Haixia
AU - Han, Jiaqi
AU - Feng, Qiang
AU - Chen, Zhi
AU - Li, Lingxiang
AU - Yang, Gang
AU - Zeng, Yong
AU - Pan, Cunhua
AU - Liu, Wang
AU - Zhi, Kangda
AU - Hu, Weidong
AU - Liu, Yuanwei
AU - Mu, Xidong
AU - Yuen, Chau
AU - Debbah, Mérouane
AU - Huang, Chongwen
AU - Li, Long
AU - Zhang, Ping
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2024.
PY - 2024/12
Y1 - 2024/12
N2 - Near-field technology is increasingly recognized due to its transformative potential in communication systems, establishing it as a critical enabler for sixth-generation (6G) telecommunication development. This paper presents a comprehensive survey of recent advancements in near-field technology research. First, we explore the near-field propagation fundamentals by detailing definitions, transmission characteristics, and performance analysis. Next, we investigate various near-field channel models—deterministic, stochastic, and electromagnetic information theory based models, and review the latest progress in near-field channel testing, highlighting practical performance and limitations. With evolving channel models, traditional mechanisms such as channel estimation, beamtraining, and codebook design require redesign and optimization to align with near-field propagation characteristics. We then introduce innovative beam designs enabled by near-field technologies, focusing on non-diffractive beams (such as Bessel and Airy) and orbital angular momentum (OAM) beams, addressing both hardware architectures and signal processing frameworks, showcasing their revolutionary potential in near-field communication systems. Additionally, we highlight progress in both engineering and standardization, covering the primary 6G spectrum allocation, enabling technologies for near-field propagation, and network deployment strategies. Finally, we conclude by identifying promising future research directions for near-field technology development that could significantly impact system design. This comprehensive review provides a detailed understanding of the current state and potential of near-field technologies.
AB - Near-field technology is increasingly recognized due to its transformative potential in communication systems, establishing it as a critical enabler for sixth-generation (6G) telecommunication development. This paper presents a comprehensive survey of recent advancements in near-field technology research. First, we explore the near-field propagation fundamentals by detailing definitions, transmission characteristics, and performance analysis. Next, we investigate various near-field channel models—deterministic, stochastic, and electromagnetic information theory based models, and review the latest progress in near-field channel testing, highlighting practical performance and limitations. With evolving channel models, traditional mechanisms such as channel estimation, beamtraining, and codebook design require redesign and optimization to align with near-field propagation characteristics. We then introduce innovative beam designs enabled by near-field technologies, focusing on non-diffractive beams (such as Bessel and Airy) and orbital angular momentum (OAM) beams, addressing both hardware architectures and signal processing frameworks, showcasing their revolutionary potential in near-field communication systems. Additionally, we highlight progress in both engineering and standardization, covering the primary 6G spectrum allocation, enabling technologies for near-field propagation, and network deployment strategies. Finally, we conclude by identifying promising future research directions for near-field technology development that could significantly impact system design. This comprehensive review provides a detailed understanding of the current state and potential of near-field technologies.
KW - 6G
KW - Channel model
KW - Codebook
KW - Engineering and standardization
KW - Near-field technology
KW - Non-diffractive beams
KW - Orbital angular momentum
KW - TN929.5
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=86000596662&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1631/FITEE.2400576
DO - 10.1631/FITEE.2400576
M3 - Review article
AN - SCOPUS:86000596662
SN - 2095-9184
VL - 25
SP - 1580
EP - 1626
JO - Frontiers of Information Technology and Electronic Engineering
JF - Frontiers of Information Technology and Electronic Engineering
IS - 12
ER -