[论文解读] Integrated Sensing and Communications: Towards Dual-functional Wireless Networks for 6G and Beyond

Fan Liu, Yuanhao Cui+5 more|arXiv (Cornell University)|Aug 16, 2021

Indoor and Outdoor Localization Technologies被引用 62

一句话总结

本论文提供对 Integrated Sensing and Communications (ISAC) 的全面综述，包括其历史、体系结构、性能权衡、波形/接收机设计，以及网络级互助以实现面向 6G 及以上的双功能无线网络。

ABSTRACT

As the standardization of 5G is being solidified, researchers are speculating what 6G will be. Integrating sensing functionality is emerging as a key feature of the 6G Radio Access Network (RAN), allowing to exploit the dense cell infrastructure of 5G for constructing a perceptive network. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive overview on the background, range of key applications and state-of-the-art approaches of Integrated Sensing and Communications (ISAC). We commence by discussing the interplay between sensing and communications (S&C) from a historical point of view, and then consider multiple facets of ISAC and its performance gains. By introducing both ongoing and potential use cases, we shed light on industrial progress and standardization activities related to ISAC. We analyze a number of performance tradeoffs between S&C, spanning from information theoretical limits, tradeoffs in physical layer performance, to the tradeoff in cross-layer designs. Next, we discuss signal processing aspects of ISAC, namely ISAC waveform design and receive signal processing. As a step further, we provide our vision on the deeper integration between S&C within the framework of perceptive networks, where the two functionalities are expected to mutually assist each other, i.e., communication-assisted sensing and sensing-assisted communications. Finally, we summarize the paper by identifying the potential integration between ISAC and other emerging communication technologies, and their positive impact on the future of wireless networks.

研究动机与目标

• 将 ISAC 范式作为面向下一代网络的感知与通信的统一来进行动机阐释。
• 整理与 ISAC 相关的关键应用、行业进展与标准化活动。
• 分析感知与通信性能之间的基本和跨层权衡。
• 讨论信号处理方面的内容，包括 ISAC 波形设计与接收处理。
• 提出感知网络愿景，在其中感知与通信相互协助。

提出的方法

• 回顾雷达与通信向 ISAC 的历史发展及汇聚。
• 将 ISAC 架构分为感知为中心和通信为中心的设计并讨论权衡。
• 概述 ISAC 的信息理论与物理层性能权衡。
• 回顾 ISAC 波形设计与接收处理方法。
• 引入感知网络的概念以及 S&C 的跨层互助。
• 强调行业进展、用例及与新兴技术的潜在整合。

实验结果

研究问题

• RQ1 ISAC 系统中感知与通信之间的基本性能权衡是什么？
• RQ2 如何优化波形设计与接收处理以支持双功能？
• RQ3 哪些工业应用与标准化工作正在推动 6G 的 ISAC 发展？
• RQ4 如何在感知网络中实现感知辅助通信与通信辅助感知？
• RQ5 ISAC 对超越 5G/6G 的体系结构与相关技术有何潜在影响？

主要发现

• ISAC 可以通过为双重目的共享无线资源来实现集成与协同收益。
• 存在一种趋同趋势，即感知与通信在硬件、信道和信号处理方面取得共通，特别是在具备大阵列的 mmWave 场景。
• 混合模拟-数字（HAD）架构实现可扩展的 mMIMO/mMIMO 雷达，支撑 ISAC 前端。
• 感知辅助的波束训练、跟踪与资源分配可以显著降低网络中的信令开销。
• 工业进展与标准化活动表明 ISAC 在 6G 及更高阶段的势头日益增强。
• 感知网络在概念上统一感知与通信，以构建无处不在的、环境感知的服务。