Digital Twins (DTs) are rapidly emerging as a foundational technology for creating intelligent, connected, and resilient systems across diverse industries. From modern power grids to next-generation wireless communications, DTs depend on continuous, data-rich exchanges between the physical and virtual worlds. These exchanges must be fast, reliable, and adaptive—requirements that align closely with the transformative potential of sixth-generation (6G) networks.
As illustrated in Fig. 1, the International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) 2030 vision outlines the key capabilities of 6G, including AI-native design, ultra-reliable low-latency communication, integrated sensing, and pervasive connectivity [1]. These features directly support the fundamental needs of DTs, such as interoperability, scalability, reliability, security, privacy, synchronization, and visualization [2].
This section explores the pivotal role of 6G in unlocking the full potential of Digital Twins. It begins by outlining the core principles and communication-centric architecture of DTs, then examines the key technical requirements they must fulfil. Finally, it demonstrates how 6G’s advanced capabilities meet these requirements, positioning it as a critical enabler for building scalable, responsive, and secure DT ecosystems.
Read the full white paper: 6G-enabled Digital Twins: Applications, Requirements, and Challenges
