Frequency Range 3 for ISAC in 6G: Potentials and Challenges

TL;DR

This paper discusses the potentials of Frequency Range 3 (7-24 GHz) for integrated sensing and communication in 6G, highlighting its propagation features, MIMO capabilities, and the challenges in modeling and implementation.

Contribution

It explores the use of FR3 for ISAC in 6G, emphasizing ultra-massive MIMO, near-field modeling, and outlining future research directions.

Findings

FR3 enables high-resolution sensing and multi-target tracking.

Ultra-massive MIMO with ELAA is crucial for FR3-based ISAC.

Challenges include channel modeling and system integration.

Abstract

Spanning 7-24 GHz, frequency range 3 (FR3), is a key enabler for next-generation wireless networks by bridging the coverage of sub-6 GHz and the capacity of millimeter-wave bands. Its unique propagation characteristics, such as extended near-field regions and spatially nonstationary fading, enable new transmission strategies. This article explores the potential of FR3 for integrated sensing and communication (ISAC), which unifies wireless communication and environmental sensing. We show that FR3's bandwidth and multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) capabilities enable high-resolution sensing, multi-target tracking, and fast data transmission. We emphasize the importance of ultra-massive MIMO with extremely large aperture arrays (ELAAs) and the need for unified near-field and far-field channel models to support efficient ISAC. Finally, we outline challenges and future research directions for ELAA-based ISAC in 6G FR3.