ISAC Prototype System for Multi-Domain Cooperative Communication Networks

TL;DR

This paper presents an advanced ISAC prototype system supporting multiple sensing modes and real-time communication, validated through real-world tests demonstrating high accuracy in sensing and localization.

Contribution

The paper introduces a comprehensive ISAC prototype with multimodal sensing, synchronization, and scalability, enabling experimental validation of sensing-assisted communication in 5G networks.

Findings

Achieved root mean square errors of 2.3° for angle and 0.3 m for range estimation.

Supported up to 16 UEs in uplink and 10 in downlink, aligned with 5G NR standards.

Demonstrated real-time radio SLAM with localization errors of 0.25 m and 0.8 m.

Abstract

Future wireless networks are poised to transform into integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) networks, unlocking groundbreaking services such as digital twinning. To harness the full potential of ISAC networks, it is essential to experimentally validate their sensing capabilities and the role of sensing in boosting communication. However, current prototype systems fall short in supporting multiple sensing functions or validating sensing-assisted communication. In response, we have developed an advanced ISAC prototype system that incorporates monostatic, bistatic, and network sensing modes. This system supports multimodal data collection and synchronization, ensuring comprehensive experimental validation. On the communication front, it excels in sensing-aided beam tracking and real-time high-definition video transmission. For sensing applications, it provides precise angle and range measurements, real-time angle-range imaging, and radio-based simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM). Our prototype aligns with the 5G New Radio standard, offering scalability for up to 16 user equipments (UEs) in uplink transmission and 10 UEs in downlink transmission. Real-world tests showcase the system's superior accuracy, with root mean square errors of 2.3 degrees for angle estimation and 0.3 meters (m) for range estimation. Additionally, the estimation errors for multimodal-aided real-time radio SLAM localization and mapping are 0.25 m and 0.8 m, respectively.