Anritsu Corporation, a global provider of innovative communications test and measurement solutions, has announced the extension of its 6G research activities to include new innovative research together with Aalborg University in Denmark.

This new 6G research programme will develop novel techniques for channel sounding and communication channel sensing in new 6G frequency bands, including the millimeter-wave and sub-terahertz bands. This will be enabled by vector network analysers from Anritsu, which have specific features to enhance the measurement methods, together with antenna and measurement systems technology from Aalborg University.

As industry and standards organisations discuss and plan the frequencies and waveforms to be used in next-generation mobile communications (such as 6G, IMT-2030), detailed understanding of radio channel characteristics is key piece of information. This research programme will enable new techniques for high resolution and wide bandwidth radio channel characterisation, which will contribute to system modelling and performance evaluation for 6G technologies. Also, for candidate 6G technologies, the work will support the evaluation of ‘Joint Communications and Sensing’ techniques and waveforms that are currently being researched.

Jonathan Borrill, Head of Global Market Technology at Anritsu stated: “We are very pleased to further extend our 6G research activities and to collaborate with Aalborg University. The university has a proven world-class capability and knowledge for channel sounding and OTA measurements, and we believe that this research programme will contribute world-leading results and test capabilities to the industry.”

Wei Fan, professor and leader of “Wireless Propagation and Over the Air testing” research group with Aalborg University stated: “Radio channel modelling is essential for design and development of 6G system and interfaces, which starts with reliable measurements of channels by using high-fidelity channel sounders. We are very happy to work with Anritsu, a world-leading radio frequency test instrument manufacturer, to develop state-of-the-art channel sounders for 6G communication and sensing systems in this project.”