Sensing as a Service in 6G Perceptive Mobile Networks: Architecture, Advances, and the Road Ahead

TL;DR

This paper explores the integration of high-precision real-time sensing as a core feature in 6G perceptive mobile networks, emphasizing resource allocation, challenges, and future research directions.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive framework for sensing services in 6G PMN, including task types, QoS definitions, and a unified resource allocation approach.

Findings

Unified resource allocation framework for sensing in 6G PMN

Performance analysis of communication-assisted sensing

Identification of open challenges and future opportunities

Abstract

Sensing-as-a-service is anticipated to be the core feature of 6G perceptive mobile networks (PMN), where high-precision real-time sensing will become an inherent capability rather than being an auxiliary function as before. With the proliferation of wireless connected devices, resource allocation (RA) in terms of the users' specific quality-of-service (QoS) requirements plays a pivotal role in enhancing interference management ability and resource utilization efficiency. In this article, we comprehensively introduce the concept of sensing service in PMN, including the types of tasks, the distinctions/advantages compared to conventional networks, and the definitions of sensing QoS. Subsequently, we provide a unified RA framework in sensing-centric PMN and elaborate on the unique challenges. Furthermore, we present a typical case study named "communication-assisted sensing" and evaluate the performance trade-off between sensing and communication procedures. Finally, we shed light on several open problems and opportunities deserving further investigation in the future.