Intelligent Metasurface-Enabled Integrated Sensing and Communication: Unified Framework and Key Technologies

TL;DR

This paper reviews the use of intelligent metasurfaces in integrated sensing and communication systems for 6G, proposing a unified framework and key technological solutions for transceiver design.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive framework for IM-enabled ISAC transceivers and discusses critical technologies for their development.

Findings

Unified ISAC framework established

Analysis of IM architectures and advantages

Key technologies like channel modeling and waveform design discussed

Abstract

As the demand for ubiquitous connectivity and high-precision environmental awareness grows, integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) has emerged as a key technology for sixth-generation (6G) wireless networks. Intelligent metasurfaces (IMs) have also been widely adopted in ISAC scenarios due to their efficient, programmable control over electromagnetic waves. This provides a versatile solution that meets the dual-function requirements of next-generation networks. Although reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs) have been extensively studied for manipulating the propagation channel between base and mobile stations, the full potential of IMs in ISAC transceiver design remains under-explored. Against this backdrop, this article explores emerging IM-enabled transceiver designs for ISAC systems. It begins with an overview of representative IM architectures, their unique principles, and their inherent advantages in EM wave manipulation. Next, a unified ISAC framework is established to systematically model the design and derivation of diverse IM-enabled transceiver structures. This lays the foundation for performance optimization, trade-offs, and analysis. The paper then discusses several critical technologies for IM-enabled ISAC transceivers, including dedicated channel modeling, effective channel estimation, tailored beamforming strategies, and dual-functional waveform design.