The sixth-generation (6G) mobile communication systems are anticipated to be operational by 2030, prompting extensive research efforts by governments and private entities. Designed to meet societal, economic, and technological demands unaddressed by fifth-generation (5G) networks, 6G integrates scalability, security, and reliability with ubiquity and resource-intensive artificial intelligence. Envisaged as multi-band, decentralized, autonomous, flexible, and user-centric, 6G networks incorporate innovative technologies, including cell-free (CF), three-dimensional heterogeneous networks (3D HetNet), reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS), integrated sensing and communication (ISAC), as well as artificial intelligence/machine learning (ML). In 6G 3D HetNets, the densification of access points (APs) continues, accommodating increased connections and traffic volumes, alongside the use of higher frequency bands. Although 6G networks are not fully standardized, they target demanding Quality of Service (QoS) standards, such as a peak data rate of 1.0 Tbps and latency of 0.1 ms. This paper conducts a comprehensive literature review on radio resource management (RRM) in 6G cell-free and 3D HetNet systems, emphasizing challenges such as interference mitigation. It presents a taxonomy of RRM approaches, systematically studying, categorizing, and qualitatively analyzing recent techniques, outlining the current state, and indicating future trends, technologies, and challenges shaping 6G systems.
Faria et al. (Fri,) studied this question.