Samsung Research America (SRA) is partnering with Princeton University to develop 6G wireless and networking systems.
Princeton University’s School of Engineering and Applied Science established the NextG Initiative last year to accelerate the adoption of new technologies and increase innovation across a range of topics, including cloud and edge networks, intelligent sensing and network resilience.
More recently, the NextG Initiative launched a corporate affiliates program to encourage cooperation between academia, industry leaders and policymakers.
Other corporate affiliates involved in the effort are Ericsson, Intel, MediaTek, Nokia Bell Labs, Qualcomm Technologies and Vodafone.
“The wireless industry has benefited significantly from fundamental research in the past few decades,” said Samsung Research America SVP Charlie Zhang in a statement. “We encourage Princeton’s researchers to continue innovation and develop disruptive technologies that could bring major breakthroughs in 6G.”
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Considering that 5G is largely seen as a disappointment (though not by everyone) and there’s still talk about what 5G Advanced will bring to the table, it’s natural to question the wisdom of devoting a lot of time to 6G. But plenty of work already is underway.
Samsung Research published a white paper in July 2020 outlining the company’s vision for 6G, including an expected timeline for standardization. (It suggested the earliest commercialization date could be 2028, with mass commercialization occurring around 2030.)
Samsung Research chairs both the 6G Framework Group of the International Telecommunication Union Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) and the Spectrum Group of the Global Mobile Suppliers Association (GSA), fortifying its leadership.
In May 2022, Samsung held a 6G forum to talk all things 6G, including the air interface technology and what spectrum bands are likely to be used.