Hydra-RAN Perceptual Networks Architecture: Dual-Functional Communications and Sensing Networks for 6G and Beyond

After researchers devoted considerable efforts to developing 5G standards, their passion began to focus on establishing the basics for the standardization of 6G and beyond. The utilization of millimeter wave (MMW) and terahertz (THz) frequency bands, combined with sensors and artificial intelligence (AI), has gained significant attention in the research community for the development of the next generation of sensory and radio access networks (NG-SRANs). Leveraging the advantages of communication and sensor systems' common characteristics will open horizons for merging the two networks, thereby creating a unified perceptive and intelligence network. Overall, while using MMW and THz frequencies is certainly valuable, the ability to gather and transmit data in real-time makes sensors extremely effective in communication networks. In contrast, AI, machine learning (ML), and deep learning (DL) have become predominant methods for solving data analysis problems across a wide range of domains, such as analyzing large amounts of different sensor data, decision-making, channel estimation, self-organization, and self-healing. This paper proposes a novel design for a potential 6G network and beyond called the Hydra radio access network (H-RAN) perceptual networks architecture, which is designed based on NG-SRAN. From a design perspective, H-RAN aims to merge communication and sensing networks into a single network in which two functionalities are attempted to mutually complement each other, namely communication-aided sensing and sensing-aided communications networks. However, such a network provides an adequate platform for a wide range of AL/ML algorithms, such as real-time decision-making, self-organization, and self-healing. As a result, H-RAN perceptual networks architecture is expected to be more efficient, reliable, and secure than existing conventional networks, and is likely to play a critical role in a wide range of applications, including but not limited to mobile broadband, sensing systems, smart cities, autonomous vehicles, the internet of things (IoT) connectivity, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, etc. This study gives a detailed overview of how H-RAN will revolutionize conventional future sensors and cellular networks through a comprehensive analysis of H-RAN architectural components and functionalities.