Three family unification in higher dimensional models

In orbifold models, gauge, Higgs and the matter fields can be unified in one multiplet from the compactification of higher dimensional supersymmetric gauge theory. We study how three families of chiral fermions can be unified in the gauge multiplet. The bulk gauge interaction includes the Yukawa interactions to generate masses for quarks and leptons after the electroweak symmetry is broken. The bulk Yukawa interaction has global or gauged flavor symmetry originating from the R symmetry or bulk gauge symmetry, and the Yukawa structure is restricted. When the global and gauged flavor symmetries are broken by orbifold compactification, the remaining gauge symmetry which contains the standard model gauge symmetry is restricted. The restrictions from the bulk flavor symmetries can provide explanations of fermion mass hierarchy.