5G/6G Mobile Communication Systems

The digital transformation of industry, mobility, and society demands communication systems that deliver far more than high data rates. The Communication Systems division at Fraunhofer IIS is developing precisely these solutions: 5G networks are becoming the backbone of networked factories, autonomous vehicles, and smart cities. With the transition to 6G, topics such as artificial intelligence, energy‑efficient network control, and the convergence of communication and sensing are coming to the fore. 

The team develops technologies that not only provide high data rates and low latency, but also ensure maximum reliability and fail-safety – for example, by combining terrestrial and satellite-based networks. Unique test infrastructures bridge the gap to real‑world application. In the 5G Industry 4.0 testbed, jointly operated with the Positioning and Networks division, solutions are tested under realistic conditions – from machine‑to‑machine communication to the networking of autonomous transport systems and robots. At the same time, active participation in standardization bodies ensures that technological developments remain aligned with the concrete needs of users. This interplay guarantees that research translates directly into applicable, market‑relevant innovations.

The vision: to create an intelligent, three‑dimensional network that unites sensor technology and communication. Future systems will be autonomously controlled by AI and operate sustainably and energy‑efficiently thanks to novel hardware approaches. This will open the door to entirely new applications – from collaborative robots to real‑time digital twins. The division supports its partners on this journey and ensures they have access to next-generation communication technologies.

The future of mobile communication systems will be shaped by the close integration of communication and precise localization. The Positioning and Networks division at Fraunhofer IIS is actively driving this development: 5G and 6G not only enable the fast transmission of large volumes of data, but also make position information an integral part of modern networks. In professional applications – from industrial automation and logistics to medical care – accurate localization of objects, machines, and people is essential for greater efficiency, safety, and flexibility.

For more than 20 years, the division has been developing algorithms that derive precise positions from a wide range of network signals. The test infrastructure jointly developed with the Communication Systems division – from the L.I.N.K. hall to the Nomadic 5G Positioning Testbed – enables realistic testing, further development, and direct integration of localization solutions into real processes. Fraunhofer IIS’s active role in international standardization has ensured that localization is now a firmly established component of 5G.

The test infrastructure developed jointly with the Communication Systems division – from the L.I.N.K hall to the Nomadic 5G Positioning Testbed – allows localization solutions to be tested in a practical environment, further developed, and integrated directly into real-world processes. Fraunhofer IIS's active involvement in shaping international standards has resulted in localization now being an integral part of 5G.

The leap to 6G will see the integration of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, particularly machine learning, and sensing. These technologies enable not only the localization of devices but also the extraction of environmental information (radio sensing), such as the detection and classification of objects and people – even when they are not directly connected to the network. The division supports companies from the initial idea to implementation, creating the technological foundation for the connected, autonomous systems of tomorrow.