Frequency-Diverse Integrated Sensing and Communication System Utilizing Coupled-Resonator LWA with Full-Space Coverage and High Scanning Rate

This paper proposes an integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) system leveraging a coupled-resonator leaky wave antenna (LWA) with full-space coverage and high scanning rate. The proposed system addresses the limitations of traditional multi-target sensing techniques, including dependency on bulky multi-antenna arrays and restricted scanning ranges. Specifically, the proposed single-antenna solution achieves full-space coverage within a relatively narrow operational bandwidth. A novel frequency-diverse architecture is designed, incorporating periodic coupled-resonator loadings to enable high scanning rates (9.72^°/%) while maintaining high radiation directivity. The operational frequency band is partitioned into a sensing band (4.9–5.9 GHz) for multi-target detection and a communication band (5.9–5.95 GHz) for directional wireless communication, minimizing spectral interference. Experimental results demonstrate sub-wavelength resolution (1 mm) in static target sensing via near-field reconstruction and accurate detection of micro-dynamic targets (e.g., human respiration) through channel state information analysis. The communication subsystem achieves a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 20.9 dB in indoor environments under concurrent sensing operations. Comparative evaluations illustrate that the proposed ISAC system outperforms existing solutions regarding scanning range, efficiency, and multi-functional integration. This work provides a compact and cost-effective platform for smart Internet-of-things and health-care applications requiring simultaneous high-resolution sensing and reliable communication.