Convergence of ۶G and Beyond Wireless Networks with Next-Generation Optical Wired Infrastructures: A Comprehensive Review of Emerging Technologies, Integration Challenges, and Research Directions

The exponential growth of data-intensive applications, including artificial intelligence, extended reality, holographic communications, and the Internet of Everything, is driving the need for sixth-generation (۶G) and beyond wireless networks capable of delivering terabit-per-second throughput, microsecond-level latency, and pervasive intelligence. While ۵G systems have advanced data rates and latency, they remain insufficient for these targets, necessitating a fundamental shift toward the tight integration of advanced wireless access technologies with high-capacity, low-latency optical wired infrastructures. This comprehensive review synthesizes recent developments in ۶G wireless technologies such as terahertz (THz) communications, integrated sensing and communication (ISAC), AI-native architectures, three-dimensional networking, and advanced multiple-access schemes with parallel advancements in next-generation optical systems, including hollow-core and ultra-low-loss fibers, silicon photonics, coherent transmission at ۸۰۰ Gb/s-۱.۶ Tb/s and beyond, and evolved passive optical networks. It critically examines convergence architectures and strategies, encompassing optical fronthaul/backhaul, radio-over-fiber and power-over-fiber integration, All-Photonics Networks under the Innovative Optical and Wireless Network (IOWN) initiative, fixed-mobile convergence, AI-driven management, and optical wireless communication. Major technical, energy-efficiency, security, standardization, economic, and real-world deployment challenges are analyzed, alongside emerging applications in AI data centers, extended reality, Industry ۵.۰, and smart cities. Open research directions and a roadmap toward ۲۰۳۰-۲۰۳۵ are presented. By bridging traditionally separate wireless and optical research domains, this work provides a foundational reference for the design of practical, scalable, and sustainable converged communication systems.

کلیدواژه ها:

۶G networks ، wireless-optical convergence ، optical fronthaul ، hollow-core fiber ، THz communications ، All-Photonics Network