Towards Integrated Sensing and Communications for 6G: A Standardization Perspective

TL;DR

This paper discusses the role of Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) in 6G standardization, highlighting technological advancements, challenges, and future research directions for seamless integration of sensing and communication.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of ISAC's role in 6G, including requirements, enabling technologies, and standardization challenges from a global perspective.

Findings

ISAC is recognized as a key 6G use case by ITU-R.

Technologies like intelligent metasurfaces and OTFS are crucial for ISAC.

Future research directions include addressing integration challenges.

Abstract

The radio communication division of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU-R) has recently adopted Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) among the key usage scenarios for IMT-2030/6G. ISAC is envisioned to play a vital role in the upcoming wireless generation standards. In this work, we bring together several paramount and innovative aspects of ISAC technology from a global 6G standardization perspective, including both industrial and academic progress. Specifically, this article provides 6G requirements and ISAC-enabled vision, including various aspects of 6G standardization, benefits of ISAC co-existence, and integration challenges. Moreover, we present key enabling technologies, including intelligent metasurface-aided ISAC, as well as Orthogonal Time Frequency Space (OTFS) waveform design and interference management for ISAC. Finally, future aspects are discussed to open various research opportunities and challenges on the ISAC technology towards 6G wireless communications.