The sixth generation (6G) of wireless communication is actively exploring new spectrum options that can combine the advantages - and avoid the limitations - of existing bands such as sub-6 GHz, millimeter wave (mmWave), and sub-terahertz (THz). In this context, the upper mid-band, spanning 7 GHz to 24 GHz and known as Frequency Range 3 (FR3), has emerged as a promising candidate and focal point for 6G research.
To fully realize the potential of FR3 within the 6G ecosystem, a comprehensive investigation of its spectrum utilization and channel characteristics is an essential first step. This article presents a detailed study of FR3 and its synergy with emerging technologies, including:
- Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN)
- Massive MIMO (mMIMO)
- Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS)
- Integrated Sensing and Communications (ISAC)
Using ray-tracing simulations, we demonstrate that FR3 exhibits channel characteristics similar to other frequency ranges, while offering practical advantages in both coverage and capacity.
Notably, our evaluation of RIS-assisted communications reveals that FR3 can deliver higher spectral efficiency than other bands when using the same RIS configuration - highlighting its suitability for advanced signal enhancement techniques.
Finally, we discuss key challenges and outline promising research directions related to channel modeling, spectrum aggregation, and transceiver design, paving the way for reliable and efficient wireless systems operating in FR3.
Fig. 1. Spectrum overview for mobile networks.
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