Integrated sensing and communication for future wireless networks

Integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) is anticipated to play a pivotal role in realizing the ability to sense, control, and optimize wireless environments, as well as providing ubiquitous connectivity with ultra-high throughput and reliability, and ultra-low latency for future wireless networks. Therefore, it can meet the requirements of mass data transmission, centimeter-level localization, and highly fine-grained environmental sensing for new applications, such as extended reality, holographic communication, autonomous driving, smart healthcare, and intelligent industry. The technology of ISAC deviates from traditional pattern of isolated design for communication and sensing. It can efficiently utilize wireless resources and potentially achieve mutual benefits by combining sensing and communication systems. The ultimate goal of the ISAC system has two aspects. On the one hand, the wireless communication system gains new functions, including device tracking, target localization, object identification, and radio environment mapping. On the other hand, communication performance is enhanced through sensing. However, the research on ISAC is still in its infancy, and the fundamental and comprehensive theoretical methods and technical standards have not yet been established.