The State‐of‐the‐Art and Future Visioning 6G Wireless Network

Because mobile devices are being used more and more, there is a growing need for dependable and fast wireless access, and sixth-generation (6G) networks have emerged as a promising solution. One of the critical challenges in 6G networks is the seamless handover of mobile devices between different network cells to ensure uninterrupted services. Software-defined networking (SDN) has gained considerable attention due to its ability to provide centralized network control and management, making it a suitable technology for addressing handover management in 6G networks. This abstract presents an overview of SDN-based handover management in 6G networks. Traditional handover mechanisms in cellular networks face limitations such as long latency, suboptimal network utilization, and complex network configurations. SDN offers an alternative approach by separating the control plane and data plane and providing a centralized controller to manage the network. In the proposed SDN-based handover management architecture, the controller acts as the central authority responsible for coordinating handover decisions and managing the necessary network resources. By leveraging real-time information from network elements, such as base stations and user devices, the controller can dynamically optimize handover decisions based on various factors, including signal quality, traffic load, and user preferences. The key advantages of SDN-based handover management in 6G networks include improved handover latency, enhanced network scalability, and efficient resource allocation. The centralized control and programmability of SDN enable dynamic adaptation to changing network conditions, resulting in faster handover completion times and reduced service disruptions. Moreover, the ability to optimize resource allocation based on real-time network information allows for better utilization of available network capacity, ensuring a seamless user experience. The abstract concludes by highlighting some ongoing research directions and challenges in SDN-based handover management, including security considerations, mobility prediction algorithms, and interoperability with legacy network infrastructure. SDN-based technologies could greatly impact 6G networks as they continue to develop, enhance handover performance, and facilitate the seamless connectivity required for next-generation mobile services.