Integrating sensing and communications: Simultaneously transmitting and reflecting digital coding metasurfaces

TL;DR

This paper reviews the use of digital coding metasurfaces with simultaneous transmitting and reflecting capabilities to enhance integrated sensing and communication networks, emphasizing their potential for cost-effective and sustainable wireless systems.

Contribution

It provides a tutorial overview of STAR-DCMs in ISAC networks, highlighting design challenges and future research directions for dual-functionality metasurfaces.

Findings

Digital coding metasurfaces enable cost-effective wireless modulation.

STAR-DCMs facilitate comprehensive space control in ISAC systems.

The paper identifies key signal processing challenges and future research paths.

Abstract

Wireless networks are undergoing a transformative shift, driven by the crucial factors of cost effectiveness and sustainability. Digital coding metasurfaces (DCMs) might play a key role in realizing cost-effective digital modulators by harnessing energy embedded in electromagnetic waves traversing through the air. Integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) optimize power and spectral resources by combining sensing and communication functionalities on a shared hardware platform. This article presents a tutorial-style overview of the applications and advantages of DCMs in ISAC-based networks. Emphasis is placed on the dual-functionality of ISAC, necessitating the design of DCMs with simultaneously transmitting and reflecting (STAR) capabilities for comprehensive space control. Additionally, the article explores key signal processing challenges and outlines future research directions stemming from the convergence of ISAC and emerging STAR-DCM technologies.