Neurosciences and Wireless Networks: The Potential of Brain-Type Communications and Their Applications

This paper presents the first comprehensive tutorial on a promising research field located at the frontier of two well-established domains, neurosciences and wireless communications, motivated by the ongoing efforts to define the Sixth Generation of Mobile Networks (6G). In particular, this tutorial first provides a novel integrative approach that bridges the gap between these two seemingly disparate fields. Then, we present the state-of-the-art and key challenges of these two topics. In particular, we propose a novel systematization that divides the contributions into two groups, one focused on what neurosciences will offer to future wireless technologies in terms of new applications and systems architecture (Neurosciences for Wireless Networks), and the other on how wireless communication theory and next-generation wireless systems can provide new ways to study the brain (Wireless Networks for Neurosciences). For the first group, we explain concretely how current scientific understanding of the brain would enable new applications within the context of a new type of service that we dub brain-type communications and that has more stringent requirements than human- and machine-type communication. In this regard, we expose the key requirements of brain-type communication services and discuss how future wireless networks can be equipped to deal with such services. Meanwhile, for the second group, we thoroughly explore modern communication systems paradigms, including Internet of Bio-Nano Things and wireless-integrated brain–machine interfaces, in addition to highlighting how complex systems tools can help bridging the upcoming advances of wireless technologies and applications of neurosciences. Brain-controlled vehicles are then presented as our case study to demonstrate for both groups the potential created by the convergence of neurosciences and wireless communications, probably in 6G. In summary, this tutorial is expected to provide a largely missing articulation between neurosciences and wireless communications while delineating concrete ways to move forward in such an interdisciplinary endeavor.