Guest editorial: Cognitive and AI-enabled wireless and mobile communications

One of the key technologies leading the fast development of wireless and mobile communications is cognitive radio due to its high spectrum and energy efficiency and flexible adaptability and reconfigurability. Cognitive radio communications and networks have received extensive attention and significant advances in both research and applications have been achieved. Recently AI-enabled radio or intelligent radio has been emerging rapidly with applications of machine learning techniques in wireless communications. Some advantages of using AI and machine learning methods have been demonstrated and published. It is expected that AI will become a key feature of future 6G mobile communications.

The aim of this Special Issue is to follow the state-of-the-art evolution from cognitive radio to intelligent radio, publish original technical papers reflecting the most recent research and application results, and identify new challenges and ways forward for future research in cognitive and AI-enabled wireless and mobile communications.

A good number of submissions have been received. After rigorous review, nine papers have been selected for publication in the Special Issue. These papers cover a wide range of topics in cognitive and AI-enabled wireless and mobile communications.

As one of the most important enabling technologies, cognitive and AI-enabled radio communications will play a crucial role in the development of 5G and 6G wireless and mobile networks and receive continued focus of research from world-wide academia and industry. We hope that this Special Issue will stimulate a further interest and be useful for those readers who may want to pursue further research in this exciting and fast growing area.