Guest Editorial Special Issue on 6G-Enabled Internet of Things

Sixth-generation (6G) wireless communications and networks will continue to move to higher frequency and wider bandwidth, with much higher data rate and spectral efficiency. Given the heterogeneity and densification of Internet of Things (IoT), 6G wireless network may need to be extended to modern random access (RA) for IoT applications, which can be achieved via smart protocol design and advanced signal processing and communications technologies. The modern RA techniques, such as massive multiple-input–multiple-output (MIMO), OFDMA, nonorthogonal multiple access (NOMA), sparse signal processing, or new orthogonal design techniques provide good candidacy for 6G-enabled IoT. In 6G, grant-free transmission should be designed for distributed IoT applications. IoT applications are often involved in self-organizing decision making. 6G-enabled IoT will take advantage of the recent development of artificial intelligence (AI) techniques. It will generate new knowledge and understanding and accelerate discovery and innovation in IoT. Each of these efforts is designed to amplify the intrinsically multidisciplinary nature of the emerging field of IoT. The 6G-enabled IoT will establish theoretical, technical, and ethical frameworks that will be applied to tackle many challenges in IoT, advancing technology for humanity.