Faria Khandaker

Semantic communication (SemCom) is an emerging technology for sixth-generation (6G) networks that focuses on the transmission of meaning and task-relevant information, rather than raw data. In contrast, traditional communication (TradCom) transmits complete data streams without considering contextual or semantic importance, which often leads to redundancy and inefficient resource utilization. In this survey, we provide a comprehensive analysis of resource optimization for SemCom networks, focusing on mathematical models, optimization techniques, and performance metrics such as data rate, energy efficiency, and delay. We investigate intelligent frameworks and emerging solutions that align with the quality of service (QoS) demands of 6G networks, offering a unified perspective on using SemCom for scalable, efficient, and robust communication systems. We also highlight major challenges, outline future research directions, and present potential solutions for SemCom-powered wireless networks. We provide a discussion on fundamental concepts to provide readers with the essential background needed to understand the technical advancements in the field. We provide a thorough analysis of existing literature to identify key research gaps and highlighted valuable lessons to guide future directions. Overall, this survey serves as a foundational reference for resource optimization in SemCom networks, laying the groundwork for intelligent and context-aware communication systems capable of meeting the stringent performance demands of 6G networks.