Academician Wang Jiangzhou: China leads in 5G equipment, while the United States is the leader in chips

The following is the interview content:

1. 5G networks can cope with the traffic pressure caused by the epidemic

Science Masters: Since Prime Minister Boris called on people to work from home, the communication network in the UK has failed and is paralyzed. The European network is said to be facing similar pressure. Is this an unprecedented pressure brought by the epidemic? Can we better deal with this emergency?

Wang Jiangzhou: A few days ago, I heard that some users in the UK could not make calls on their mobile phones, but the problem was quickly solved. It might be that the equipment connecting to several different mobile networks failed. This should be an accidental accident and has nothing to do with network congestion. Although many people work from home, hold video conferences or play games, this is mainly through WiFi to access the fixed network, and the wired business volume has increased a lot, but the business volume of the mobile part has decreased. Of course, working from home and taking classes online will cause many people to go online at the same time, and the network business volume will increase a lot, especially video, which is a big challenge for communication service providers. Usually our network design capacity is much higher (tens of percent) than the usual peak business volume (7 or 8 o'clock in the evening). But once the sudden business volume increases a lot and exceeds the network design capacity, it will inevitably cause network congestion or even paralysis.

The major mobile operators in the UK are currently mainly using 4G, and 3G is also in use. In the UK, many fixed-line terminal access devices still use traditional technology with low capacity, which is a big challenge for transmitting high-definition video. If 5G mobile communications are directly adopted, this problem can be solved. Direct adoption of 5G can also divert traffic, allowing some fixed-line services to flow only in the mobile network, reducing the burden on the fixed network.

2. It will take at least another five years for 5G applications to be fully implemented

"Masters of Science": 5G technology is said to have played a good role in China's epidemic prevention and control this time. Have you paid attention to it?

Wang Jiangzhou: I have been doing research on 5G. 5G has the characteristics of high bandwidth, low latency and large capacity. There are indeed many new application scenarios in epidemic prevention and control, such as 5G high-definition video, 5G+remote consultation, remote ward rounds, 5G+drones, and telemedicine. For example, many schools are closed now, and all are through distance education. Many employees work from home and work remotely. This also makes the advantages of 5G technology appear.

As the core driver of the new generation of communication technology, 5G is very important. It will have many applications in various vertical industries and will also cultivate many new economic growth points. For example, in the future, 5G will be able to meet applications such as autonomous driving, smart agriculture, smart cities, drones, and robots. It is not an ordinary communication technology, but will become an infrastructure. So I also agree with this view: In the past, everyone thought that although 5G technology was good, they didn't know where its application scenarios and potential were. After the outbreak of this epidemic, it is likely to further promote and promote its implementation in China, and everyone will be able to discover its many application spaces.

"Masters of Science": Although the concept of 5G is very popular, it seems to be still in a very early stage in China. In the UK or other regions such as Europe, it is also at about the same stage and has not been widely used?

Wang Jiangzhou: Foreign countries are also in the early stages. We have participated in many research projects, including those of the European Union and the United Kingdom. I think it may take several years for relevant applications to be developed. It takes 10 years for each generation of mobile communication technology to develop and mature. There is generally such a stage. The technology is not very mature at the beginning and can only solve some preliminary applications. Gradually improve to meet more applications, because the network speed is higher in the later stage.

The same is true for 5G technology. There may be fewer application scenarios in the first five years. As the technology gradually improves, network speed increases, and capacity increases, there will be more application scenarios in the last five years. In other words, many application scenarios may not be available until the last five years.

"Masters of Science": What challenges does 5G technology face in its popularization?

Wang Jiangzhou: There are still many specific challenges facing 5G. The first is the limitation of large-scale antenna specifications. 5G base stations need to use large-scale antenna arrays. Instead of a few antennas like now, they need dozens or even hundreds of antennas to quickly and accurately capture the signals of multiple terminal users. We must also consider how to reduce the power consumption and energy consumption of the base station receiving the feedback signal from the terminal. After the signal beam of the large-scale antenna is formed, it is necessary to transmit a very narrow beam like a laser. The current algorithm is still relatively complex. When the number of antennas increases exponentially, it takes a long time to complete the signal processing, and the delay increases, which will cause many services to be unable to proceed, because many application scenarios of 5G are low-latency scenarios. How to simplify complex algorithms, how to schedule resources, and how to optimize the network are all problems that need to be solved.

The second problem is the coverage of large areas. In densely populated areas, 5G is difficult to achieve dense coverage, which will cause many problems. In some places, 5G base stations are built, and the coverage area is relatively wide, so the network delay will be relatively large. The transmission time is long, which will cause problems in application.

Another problem is that 4G and 5G networks are mixed in many places, and when they are put together, there will be problems with the conversion of the two systems. In addition, the interference between multiple signals between large and small areas, the poor uniformity of urban optical fiber networks causing delays, and how low-frequency microwaves and high-frequency millimeter waves can coexist are all issues that need to be solved later.

3. Intelligence is the ultimate goal of information development

"Masters of Science": One of your propositions is that artificial intelligence applications can be integrated with mobile communications for development. How can artificial intelligence help the development of 5G and how can it be integrated?

Wang Jiangzhou: A very important issue is to optimize our mobile communication network. We used to use traditional ideas and optimization methods. With the rapid development of mobile communications, the number of users is increasing, the number of base station antennas is increasing, and the mobile network is becoming more and more complex. Traditional methods cannot optimize this network.

Artificial intelligence is a very important method. Just like Google's AlphaGo playing Go, it uses artificial intelligence. Its database contains tens of millions of chess records. It trains and mines based on this data to find the best way to play. Therefore, the machine will not make mistakes when playing Go, and it is difficult for humans to beat the machine.

5G+AI has a lot of application space. For example, the channel information extraction of antenna arrays grows exponentially with the number of users and antennas, which is very complex. We can use AI to simplify the channel information extraction of antenna arrays by training through machine learning based on prior knowledge.

In terms of network optimization, users' mobile graphics information can also be used. To give the simplest example, different base stations cover different areas and traffic. Some areas have more users during the day and fewer at night, while others have the opposite. The base station can optimize the network based on this pre-known information. The purpose of artificial intelligence technology is, on the one hand, to optimize the network well and improve performance, and on the other hand, to simplify the entire method.

We are also researching the integration of artificial intelligence and 5G, which is a relatively new exploration. My opinion is that artificial intelligence may be of some use in 5G, but it will be very important in 6G and can be widely used.

(Wang Jiangzhou and Professor H. Vincent Poor, a famous information scientist and member of the National Academy of Sciences and Engineering of the United States, 2015)

"Masters of Science": Can it be understood that intelligence is a major trend in mobile communications, and that informatization and intelligence are not the same thing?

Wang Jiangzhou: In the past, we talked about the information society. Informatization is actually digitization, which means that the processes or data in traditional businesses are processed through computer information systems to improve work efficiency. Intelligence is a big leap forward. It is not only to use it to process processes and improve efficiency, but also to make it very smart, with the functions of perception, thinking and judgment like humans, as well as the functions of learning and execution, so that it can make decisions. So I think intelligence is the ultimate goal of informatization and an inevitable trend of development. Artificial intelligence is a typical main way to transform from informatization to intelligence, allowing machines to complete some complex technologies and tasks that usually require human intelligence.

"Masters of Science": 5G has not yet been widely used, but one phenomenon is that everyone is already doing research on 6G, including you. Why are you so advanced?

Wang Jiangzhou: 5G is only a preliminary application for many applications, and some applications may not be possible with 5G. Because some applications, such as virtual reality and augmented reality, require large bandwidth and high speed, and 5G may not be able to meet such a large capacity. However, we have seen the prospects of this application, and 6G may be needed. So I think 6G is very important. China is now leading in 5G, but this leading position will only last for a few years, and 6G should also be studied quickly.

6G is also a very important stage for our mobile communications to move from informatization to intelligence. In the 6G era, the entire network will move towards intelligence, and many higher-level applications will emerge. For example, our frequency bands may use microwaves in the first five years of 5G development (10-year cycle), and millimeter waves in the next five years. By 6G, it may have to go to terahertz, and the frequency band will be at least 10 times higher. Visible light communication may also be used. The speed of 6G may be 10 to 100 times higher than that of 5G. Therefore, it is very important to start research on 6G now. Laying the foundation early and developing some intellectual property rights will be very beneficial to the later development.

4. China leads in 5G, and the United States also has a strong foundation

Science Masters: From an international perspective, how is China's performance in 5G technology? One of the sayings in the industry is that we are in the leading position?

Wang Jiangzhou: China, Japan and South Korea in Asia provided 5G commercial services very early and are actively promoting it. I think the three countries belong to the first echelon, while Europe and the United States are a little bit behind. This is one aspect.

The core of leading is more importantly in standardization. Now there is only one standard in the world, and who plays the leading role and who takes the lead is very important. China plays a very important role in the formulation of 5G international standards. In the international communications industry standardization organization 3GPP, many domestic companies are participating, such as China Mobile, China Unicom, China Telecom, Huawei, ZTE, OPPO, etc. In the big standard, there are many sub-standards. Each company can propose technical solutions in the sub-standards. Chinese companies play a very important role in promoting the formulation of international standards, because there is only one global standard, and whether you can lead is very important. In the current 5G international standards, there are many proposals from China.

If the solution you propose is approved and becomes part of the official global standard, you will have a technological advantage because you have the corresponding patents, and you will be able to lead and dominate. That's it in layman's terms.

"Masters of Science": Why is a country as powerful as the United States lagging behind in this regard?

Wang Jiangzhou: The United States is indeed a little slow in promoting 5G. The government investment is relatively small, and there are no equipment manufacturers. The two major service providers, such as AT&T and Verizon, are not as aggressive as China Mobile and are relatively passive. The most active company may be Qualcomm. As a terminal manufacturer, Apple makes mobile phones very well, but they are less involved in network technology and wireless transmission technology. So they are not in the first echelon, which may have something to do with the overall environment of the country. They did not pay enough attention to it at the national level.

(Wang Jiangzhou and Dr. Jacobs, then president of Qualcomm, 2015)

When they discovered this problem, they also made efforts. Now there is a joking saying in the United States that they will give up 5G and jump directly to 6G.

Of course, the overall strength of the United States is still very strong, and the foundation is still very solid. When it comes to 5G technology, a very important point is that chips from all aspects must be used. In this regard, China still has a big gap compared with the world's first-class level.

Because in the end, we need to make 5G equipment, such as the core network management system, which requires computing chips and storage chips. Base station equipment requires dedicated management and control chips, and mobile phones also need computing chips and sensor chips. At present, most chips are basically monopolized by American companies, and they dominate the world. In other words, China has strong R&D capabilities in 5G mobile phones and communication system equipment, but the most basic and fundamental chip technology is still in the hands of the United States, and China still needs to work harder.

"Masters of Science": The United States actually also hopes to gain an advantage in 5G?

Wang Jiangzhou: Of course, they put pressure on the British government a while ago, asking it not to use Huawei's technology. The British Prime Minister asked the US government a question, saying that if you ask me not to use Huawei, can you tell me who is the best alternative and who can replace Huawei? The United States did not tell the UK the answer. The British side said that since you can't tell me who can replace Huawei, you can't blame me. So the United States is also helpless.

I don’t know how the United States can catch up with China in 5G, because there is only one global standard for 5G, which cannot be changed, and the United States cannot come up with another standard. Under this premise, it seems unlikely that the United States can catch up with China.

"Masters of Science": Maybe everyone is also concerned about which country will always have the first-mover advantage and maintain its leading position in the field of mobile communications, including 5G, 6G, and 7G?

Wang Jiangzhou: I think China will be ahead for a while, and some other Asian countries are also doing well. The key factor is that Chinese companies have many approved standard proposals. China now has the largest number of approved standard proposals in the 5G standard, and China Mobile is the company with the most approved standard proposals. China's overall scientific research level is already quite good, which is related to the overall strength of the country. There are many companies involved in technological innovation, so there are more people and more horses.

5. The British government is also under great pressure on the Huawei issue

"Masters of Science": What is the relationship between the British communications market and Huawei?

Huawei seems to have a large market share in the UK.

Wang Jiangzhou: Huawei has the largest market share in the UK. Several major operators in the UK are using Huawei's technology and products, especially Vodafone. Huawei is their largest equipment provider and provides them with many mobile devices. In 4G mobile communications, Huawei has already occupied a large share in the UK, including equipment and core networks.

Huawei's products are cheaper, have better performance and provide better services than other equipment manufacturers, so they are favored by British operators. Compared with other countries, the UK is more moderate and they pay more attention to whether the product is good and whether it is good value for money.

In the current international political and economic environment, British companies still like Huawei. We have dealt with and cooperated with several operators and can feel this. They have publicly said that Huawei can provide end-to-end services and a complete solution.

Of course, the UK is also under pressure from certain aspects. For example, the UK government has decided not to use Huawei in the 5G core network. However, other parts, such as the radio frequency part and the antenna part, which do not involve the core network but only involve wireless communication, can continue to use Huawei's equipment, so I think Huawei still has a lot of room for development in the UK.

"Masters of Science": We, the general public, may not understand what the differences are between the core network and wireless communication parts you mentioned?

Wang Jiangzhou: Telecommunications networks are like this. They have a core network part and a wireless transmission part. All data involved must be processed in the core network, just like a person's brain, because in addition to the brain, the human body also has limbs such as hands and feet. The wireless transmission part only involves transmission, which belongs to the limbs and does not involve the brain.

Basically, the UK is under pressure to use other companies' products for the brain, but can continue to use Huawei for the other limbs. For the core network, the UK can use equipment from several other European vendors, such as Nokia and Ericsson, because everyone uses a unified standard in terms of technology, so basically these devices are compatible.

"Masters of Science": What do you think of Huawei's subsequent development in the UK?

Wang Jiangzhou: I think the possibility of this (being excluded) is relatively small. Some politicians may be under pressure and consider certain factors, such as hoping that Huawei's market share is as small as possible, or even zero. Because many people in the British industry like Huawei, they cannot exclude it.

Even though the UK has said that it will not use Huawei in the core network, but will continue to use Huawei in the non-core network, the US is still not satisfied. The US means that Huawei cannot be used at all. The UK government thinks this is unreasonable. What I know now is that in the core network and non-core network of UK communications, the business revenue of both sides is about half and half, so even if we only consider the non-core network, Huawei still has a lot of room for development. In a few years, when the current climate has passed, maybe the core network can also be considered.

6. Cooperation is better than non-cooperation

"Masters of Science": With the changes in the international situation, the situation of the Chinese scientific community has also attracted much attention. You went abroad as early as the 1980s, so you should have a personal experience of this issue, right?

Wang Jiangzhou: I have lived in Europe and the United States for many years. I have lived in the UK for almost 15 years. It should be said that when in Rome, do as the Romans do. It is not difficult to integrate. I believe that the current situation is temporary and will gradually get better. In academia and industry, I know many American friends. Everyone still hopes to communicate more. They have their own experience that cooperation is better than non-cooperation. Especially when we do 5G research, which is an engineering project, we need teamwork and cannot work alone. And our Chinese scientists are still quite popular in British society. At least from our university, Chinese people work hard, don't like to cause trouble, don't like to complain, and do a good job. Of course, people will appreciate you.

"Masters of Science": Was it a smooth process for you to be elected as a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and enter the mainstream engineering community?

Wang Jiangzhou: There are not many Chinese members of the Royal Academy of Engineering in the UK, so it is difficult to be selected. I was fortunate to be selected on my first try. I am honored that my work has been recognized. From my experience, I should say that the UK has a very good academic tolerance and fairness. My research environment and team also gave me great support.

7. Focus on original innovation rather than the number of papers published

"Masters of Science": In the selection of academicians in the UK, does it focus more on the candidates' papers or the scientific research content?

Wang Jiangzhou: I am now a member of the selection committee for the Royal Academy of Engineering. The Royal Academy of Engineering attaches great importance to the influence of academician candidates in the field of engineering. They look at how much impact your research and inventions have on engineering, whether they are widely adopted, and even whether they are adopted globally. They attach great importance to this kind of practical and real application value. Of course, they will also look at the papers, but they will never say that whoever publishes more papers will be elected as an academician. It is not like that.

Scientific Master: During this epidemic, China also required scientists to write their papers on the land of the motherland, and introduced policies to no longer use the number of papers published as an indicator for the promotion of scientific researchers' professional titles. This should be said to be similar to practices abroad, right?

Wang Jiangzhou: This is definitely the right thing to do. In the UK, researchers are evaluated comprehensively, with more attention paid to the quality of their papers rather than the quantity. Especially in engineering disciplines, you need to be able to solve practical engineering problems and your research inventions need to be applicable, which has more practical influence than writing more papers.

In the early days, the phenomenon of China focusing only on papers may have been due to the backwardness of science and technology. It was not wrong to attach more importance to papers. However, at the current stage, various aspects are developing rapidly, and we can no longer evaluate scientific research work in the same way as before. We should emphasize original innovation and let researchers spend more energy on real research rather than competing for the number of papers. This is very important for the long-term development of national science and technology.