As wireless technology leaps from 5G to 6G, the vision of a fully connected world—linking satellites in space, drones in the air, and devices on the ground—is fast becoming reality. However, this hyper-connectivity comes at a steep price: a chaotic, invisible storm of interfering signals known as the "complex electromagnetic environment" (CEME). Managing this increasingly crowded spectrum is one of the most significant hurdles facing the next generation of global communications.
In a comprehensive review published in the National Science Review, a research team led by the Beijing Institute of Technology, in collaboration with Nanyang Technological University and Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, outlines a new path forward. They argue that as communication nodes explode in number—ranging from low-earth orbit satellites to urban internet of things (IoT) devices—traditional methods of modeling signal propagation effectively hit a wall. The static models of the past are no longer sufficient to capture the dynamic, multidimensional interactions of space-air-ground integrated networks (SAGIN).
To navigate this complexity, the authors propose a shift from passive monitoring to active "situation awareness." The review introduces a comprehensive "three-in-one" modeling strategy designed to function almost like a nervous system for the network. By synergizing digital twin technology, which creates high-fidelity virtual replicas of the physical world, with agent-based modeling that simulates the behavior of autonomous nodes like unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) swarms, the framework allows the system to not only see the spectrum but understand the intent behind the signals.
The study emphasizes that a one-size-fits-all approach is obsolete. The researchers detail how the framework adapts to distinct realities: coping with the cosmic noise and high-speed orbital dynamics of space, the rapid movement and intermittent connectivity of airborne platforms, and the dense multi-path fading found in terrestrial networks.
Looking to the future, the article identifies the integration of Artificial Intelligence as the key to unlocking the full potential of 6G. The authors highlight emerging trends such as the use of Generative AI to create synthetic data for data-scarce orbital environments and the development of semantic-aware cognitive networks. This work provides a vital theoretical road-map for engineers, ensuring that the complex electromagnetic environment transforms from a chaotic barrier into a manageable, secure resource for global connectivity.
About the Authors
Jianping An, Yi Tao, Xiaorui Zhang, Zizheng Hua, Shuai Wang, Gaofeng Pan1,∗, Xuanhe Yang1,∗, Dusit Niyato(Nanyang Technological University, Singapore) and George K. Karagiannidis(Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece)
The work was led by researchers from the School of Cyberspace Science and Technology at the Beijing Institute of Technology, China, in collaboration with Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, and Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece.