Cooperative Multiterminal Radar and Communication: A New Paradigm for 6G Mobile Networks

TL;DR

This paper explores the integration of radar sensing and communication functionalities into 6G networks, proposing a joint RADCOM system in ultra-dense networks to address spectrum congestion and enable high-resolution applications.

Contribution

It introduces a novel concept of cooperative multistatic radar and communication integration for 6G, detailing technological trends, applications, and research challenges.

Findings

Proposes a multistatic radar configuration for 6G networks.

Highlights the importance of high-accuracy synchronization.

Envisions centimeter-level resolution for advanced applications.

Abstract

The impending spectrum congestion imposed by the emergence of new bandwidth-thirsty applications may be mitigated by the integration of radar and classic communications functionalities in a common system. Furthermore, the merger of a sensing component into wireless communication networks has raised interest in recent years and it may become a compelling design objective for 6G. This article presents the evolution of the hitherto separate radar and communication systems towards their amalgam known as a joint radar and communication (RADCOM) system. Explicitly, we propose to integrate a radio sensing component into 6G. We consider an ultra-dense network (UDN) scenario relying on an active multistatic radar configuration and on cooperation between the access points across the entire coverage area. The technological trends required to reach a feasible integration, the applications anticipated and the open research challenges are identified, with an emphasis on high-accuracy network synchronization. The successful integration of these technologies would facilitate centimeter-level resolution, hence supporting compelling high-resolution applications for next-generation networks, such as robotic cars and industrial assembly lines.