A Vision of 6G from the Perspective of Low-Complexity Hardware Micro/Nano Components

Realization of the envisioned sixth generation (6G) of wireless networks will require unprecedented technology advances over the next decade. It is expected that Artificial Intelligence (AI) will extend the services offered to end-users, also driving a new era of self-evolution of network operations. In order to support these developments, the Hardware-Software (HW-SW) design/development approaches used today, may no longer be appropriate. In this paper, a partial reformulation of the concept of HW is proposed, relying on the analogy between HW-SW components and the four classical natural elements. The corresponding ecosystem is termed the WEAF Mnecosystem, standing for Water, Earth, Air and Fire Microtechnologies and Nanotechnologies Ecosystem. Within it, devices and solutions based on Micro/Nanosystems, Micro/Nanoelectronics and novel materials, are accounted to be pivotal in the transition of 6G visions to future reality.