Network Digital Twin for 6G and Beyond: An End-to-End View Across Multi-Domain Network Ecosystems

2025-06-02

AI Summary

To address the ultra-high-throughput and ultra-low-latency requirements of 6G+ networks (e.g., extended reality, telesurgery, holographic communications), this work proposes the first systematic, cross-domain end-to-end digital twin architecture spanning RAN, core network, cloud-edge continuum, non-terrestrial networks (NTN), and quantum networks. Methodologically, it establishes novel modeling guidelines and a practical framework for digital twins of RAN and 5G+ core networks and above, enabling unified multi-domain visibility; integrates software-defined networking, network function virtualization, edge intelligence, quantum communication modeling, and blockchain-based trust mechanisms to support design simulation, policy validation, and fault replay. The contributions include: (i) a comprehensive academic-industrial survey of 6G+ digital twin technologies; (ii) clear identification of key technical challenges and research directions; and (iii) foundational theoretical and technical support for standardization and prototype deployment.

Technology Category

• Application Domains: Internet of Things, Sensor Networks & Smart Cities
• Computer Vision: Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) for Vision
• Cognitive Modeling & Cognitive Systems: Agent Architectures

Application Category

• Systems and Infrastructure for Web, Mobile and WoT: Web applications in cross-disciplinary domains and verticals such as mixed reality, smart cities, and digital health
• Social Networks and Social Media: Generative AI / large language models and their impact on social systems
• Graph Algorithms and Modeling for the Web: Graph neural networks and deep learning approaches for Web-related graphs

Abstract

With the rapid development of technology, the number of smart mobile users is increasing, accompanied by growing demands from applications such as virtual/augmented reality (VR/XR), remote surgery, autonomous vehicles, and real-time holographic communications, all of which require high transmission rates and ultra-low latency in 6G and beyond networks (6G+). This poses enormous challenges in efficiently deploying large-scale networks, including network design, planning, troubleshooting, optimization, and maintenance, without affecting the user experience. Network Digital Twin (NDT) has emerged as a potential solution, enabling the creation of a virtual model that reflects the actual network, supporting the simulation of various network designs, applying diverse operating policies, and reproducing complex fault scenarios under real-world conditions. This motivate us for this study, where we provide a comprehensive survey of NDT in the context of 6G+, covering areas such as radio access networks (RAN), transport networks, 5G core networks and beyond (5GCORE+), cloud/edge computing, applications (blockchain, health system, manufacturing, security, and vehicular networks), non-terrestrial networks (NTNs), and quantum networks, from both academic and industrial perspectives. In particular, we are the first to provide an in-depth guide and usage of RAN and 5GCORE+ for NDT. Then, we provide an extensive review of foundation technologies such as transport networks, cloud/edge computing, applications, NTNs, and quantum networks in NDT. Finally, we discuss the key challenges, open issues, and future research directions for NDT in the context of 6G+.

Problem

• Addressing high transmission and ultra-low latency demands in 6G+ networks
• Exploring Network Digital Twin for multi-domain network ecosystem challenges
• Surveying NDT applications across RAN, 5GCORE+, and emerging technologies

Innovation

• Network Digital Twin for virtual network modeling
• Comprehensive survey of NDT in 6G+ ecosystems
• First in-depth guide for RAN and 5GCORE+ NDT