Integrated Sensing and Communications: Information theory, signal processing, and applications

The transition to 6G wireless networks is expected to bring about a paradigm shift in communication system design, driven by the integration of sensing and communication functionalities, known as Integrated Sensing and Communications (ISAC) . In traditional networks, these two domains have been treated separately, but the increasing demand for real-time, high-resolution data in applications such as autonomous vehicles and smart cities has driven the need for a more holistic approach.

 

The core idea behind ISAC is to utilize the same wireless signals for both communication and sensing purposes, enabling wireless networks to not only transmit data but also actively sense and monitor the environment. This dual-functionality can provide a wealth of benefits, including enhanced situational awareness, improved resource utilization, and more robust and resilient communications.

 

However, realizing the full potential of ISAC requires overcoming several technical challenges, such as understanding the fundamental information theoretic limits of joint sensing and communications, designing ``waveforms'' (or, better, codes) able to approach these limits, jointly optimizing sensing and communication objectives, hardware integration, and establishing industry standards and regulatory frameworks.

 

By leveraging the synergies between sensing and communications, ISAC has the potential to unlock new possibilities for real-time, high-resolution data acquisition and communication, paving the way for a more connected, intelligent, and responsive world.