A Hybrid Semantic RAN Protocol Stack Design for 6G System and Its Implementation

Abstract: Recently, Semantic Communication (SC) has been recognized as a crucial new paradigm in 6G, significantly improving information transmission efficiency. However, the diverse range of service types in 6G networks, such as high-data-volume services like AR/VR/MR and low-data-volume applications requiring high accuracy, such as industrial control and data collection, presents significant challenges to fully replacing the fundamental technologies with SC. Therefore, we design a Hybrid Semantic Communication Ratio Access Network (HSC-RAN) protocol stack demo for 6G systems to achieve compatibility and smooth transition between SC and non-SC. Specifically, we take the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) as an example, to efficiently integrate SC with Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM). Furthermore, we introduce a novel Downlink Control Information (DCI) format that jointly supports SC and non-SC, enabling real-time video transmission via SC and text transmission through non-SC. Experimental results demonstrate that our approach allows simultaneous transmission of semantic and non-semantic information while maintaining high-quality reconstruction at the receiver.