面向6G，空天地一體化的網絡面臨著通信環境復雜不確定、異構網絡體系差異大、多維資源稀疏高動態、海量業務需求多樣化等難題，低空經濟發展熱潮也進一步對網絡的通感一體、定位與導航、監控與管理、安全等能力提出了更高的要求。

大會前夕，“空天地一體化與數字低空”平行會議聯合主席、希臘美國學院（ACG）副院長、Constantinos B. Papadias教授通過視頻表示對參加此次大會充滿期待。

同時，Constantinos B. Papadias教授也參與了大會“6G洞見”欄目訪談，他著重提到，6G產學研用盡早合作，有助于將研究成果最大化。

Q1：從去年開始，6G大會的一個重要焦點是“全行業共同定義6G”。這一理念不僅強調核心通信技術與人工智能、計算能力和傳感的集成，還強調跨部門協作，以確保未來的6G網絡有效地滿足行業需求。您如何解讀這種“跨行業協作定義6G”的趨勢？您是否已經探索或參與了這類跨領域合作？或者能分享一些見解嗎？

Q1：Since last year, a major focus of the 6G conference has been the idea of "Defining 6G Together Across Industries". This concept emphasizes not only the integration of core communication technologies with AI, computing power, and sensing, but also cross-sector collaboration to ensure the future 6G networks effectively serve industry needs. How do you interpret this trend of "cross-industry collaboration in defining 6G"? Have you already explored or engaged in any cross-sector collaborations related to your research? If so, could you share some insights?

Prof. Papadias：The proliferation of technologies that will enable 6G (such as the ones mentioned above, but also others, such as reconfigurable intelligent surfaces, flexible antenna systems, non-terrestrial networks, etc.) does not only push the boundaries of each domain, but also brings together different technology sectors. A prime example is ISAC technology (integrated sensing and communications), which brings together the communication and the radar communities. Another one is liquid antenna systems, which bring together the domains of fluid dynamics, antenna systems, and electronics. Cross-sector collaboration also takes place between different industries, such as the automotive, radar and mobile network industries; UAV and wireless; satellite, other non-terrestrial and terrestrial; energy utilities and cellular networks, etc. These are brought together not only because of the presented opportunities, but also because of increased network / application / end-user requirements, e.g. regarding energy footprint, reduced cost, ubiquitous coverage, etc.

My recent research in energy-neutral aerial base stations through EU MSCA Project PAINLESS is an example where wireless and energy experts had to join forces. My ongoing research in ISAC for automotive applications, under EU MSCA project ISLANDS brings together experts from the mobile and the automotive communities. Another example, from many years ago, was that of the collaboration of civil engineers with wireless engineers in EU MSCA Project SMARTEN, for structural monitoring via wireless sensors powered by the vibration of the monitored structure.

Q2：今年的6G大會特別強調在6G研究的早期階段融入面向行業的思維，目標是確保創新從大學或研究所實驗室順利過渡到市場，實現真正的行業應用。從你的角度來看，從技術創新到產業化，您認為未來6G產業生態構建的最大挑戰是什么？您能否分享一些您自己的研究中關于將實驗室創新與行業應用聯系起來的努力或成功的見解或經驗？

Q2：This year's conference places particular emphasis on incorporating industry-oriented thinking at the earliest stages of 6G research. The goal is to ensure innovations transition smoothly from university or research institute laboratories to the market, achieving genuine industry application. From your perspective, what are the most significant challenges in moving 6G technologies from academic and research settings into practical industrial implementation? Could you share some insights or experiences from your own research regarding efforts or successes in bridging laboratory innovation with industry applications?

Prof. Papadias：The key for a research effort to make an impact on the market is to formulate, from the beginning, relevant problems, i.e. such that, if successful, they can make a difference. Academic research in various fields often takes a more incremental approach, trying to improve on the latest techniques from the literature. But this may not be always beneficial for real systems and may not address the important challenges. Another important ingredient for impact, especially in our field, is to accompany the research findings with experimental work, early on. Such work may be either in the lab, e.g. using an over-the-air testbed, or may involve outdoor trials, or realistic network-level simulation and possibly, interaction with actual deployed or experimental networks. This will help raise the technology readiness level quite fast, opening up the road for benefiting real systems and possibly resulting in commercial exploitation. 

Discussing with the end users or with the target communities or industries is also important, in order to understand their needs, which may be different than (or a specific subset of) the usual KPI targets that each generation of mobile networks imposes. Finally, collaboration and partnership with entities that represent different links of the value chain (e.g. including Universities, research centers, manufacturers, standardization / pre-standardization groups, operators, end users, etc.) also helps maximize the relevance of the research findings. 

In my own work over the years, I have been involved in various research expeditions that involve the above practices. Examples include participating in some early MIMO experiments performed over-the-air, both indoors and outdoors (while at Bell Labs); working with developers and standards representatives for the adoption of a key space-time diversity technique in 3G networks (also while at Bell Labs); demonstrating over-the-air, in a lab environment, spatial multiplexing over a single RF-based antenna array for the first time (within EU FET project CROWN); demonstrating interference alignment over-the-air (within EU FET project HIATUS); demonstrating an aerial base station for self-backhauled wireless access on a drone (EU MSCA Project PAINLESS); demonstrating solar-powered environmental monitoring with hybrid directional antennas (EU Project FIREMAN), among others. Several of these experiments were followed by similar commercial or standardized systems a few years later. 

Q3：未來，移動通信從地面2D網絡發展成空天地一體化3D網絡，需要解決地面網絡和空中網絡相融合的問題，并需要應對網絡融合后性能相互制約的問題。您如何看待這個問題？

Q3：In the future, mobile communication will evolve from ground-based 2D networks to integrated 3D networks that combine air, space, and ground. This requires addressing the issue of the integration of ground-based and airborne networks, as well as the problem of performance constraints after network integration. How do you view this issue?

Prof. Papadias：In some ways, 3D wireless networks are already a reality – think for example of a smartphone that connects both to a terrestrial base station for 5G connectivity and to several satellites for navigation. The need to provide ubiquitous connectivity not only to humans, but also to machines (e.g. to wireless IoT nodes in remote / inaccessible areas), as well as the increasing need to connect flying objects (such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, high altitude platforms (HAPs), commercial airplanes, both to the ground and to satellites, will enhance this trend. The big challenge will be to integrate all these nodes in a single network, that will be of course very powerful but also complex due to the performance constraints that you mentioned and several other issues of compatibility, provisioning and operation.

My view is that we will see a multi-tiered approach, where each terrestrial or aerial segment will play its own role, within its capabilities and limitations, and where, possibly, some tiers will collaborate with others in a dynamic way, based on the required application or service.