Integrated Sensing and Communications for Unsourced Random Access: A Spectrum Sharing Compressive Sensing Approach

This paper addresses the unsourced/uncoordinated random access problem in an integrated sensing and communications (ISAC) system, with a focus on uplink multiple access code design. Recent theoretical advancements highlight that an ISAC system will be overwhelmed by the increasing number of active devices, driven by the growth of massive machine-type communication (mMTC). To meet the demands of future mMTC network, fundamental solutions are required that ensure robust capacity while maintaining favorable energy and spectral efficiency. One promising approach to support emerging massive connectivity is the development of systems based on the unsourced ISAC (UNISAC) framework. This paper proposes a spectrum-sharing compressive sensing-based UNISAC (SSCS-UNISAC) and offers insights into the practical design of UNISAC multiple access codes. In this framework, both communication signals (data transmission) and sensing signals (e.g., radar echoes) overlap within finite channel uses and are transmitted via the proposed UNISAC protocol. The proposed decoder exhibits robust performance, providing 20-30 dB capacity gains compared to conventional protocols such as TDMA and ALOHA. Numerical results validate the promising performance of the proposed scheme.