Toward Multi-Functional LAWNs with ISAC: Opportunities, Challenges, and the Road Ahead

TL;DR

This paper explores the integration of sensing, communication, and additional functionalities in future low-altitude wireless networks, highlighting opportunities, challenges, and future research directions for multi-functional ISAC-enabled LAWNs.

Contribution

It proposes a comprehensive multi-functional LAWN framework extending ISAC with control, computation, wireless power transfer, and LLM-based intelligence, and discusses design trade-offs and benefits.

Findings

Hierarchical integration improves performance in LAWNs.

Multi-functional framework enhances capabilities beyond physical-layer improvements.

Case study demonstrates benefits of ISAC-enabled LAWNs.

Abstract

Integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) has been envisioned as a foundational technology for future low-altitude wireless networks (LAWNs), enabling real-time environmental perception and data exchange across aerial-ground systems. In this article, we first explore the roles of ISAC in LAWNs from both node-level and network-level perspectives. We highlight the performance gains achieved through hierarchical integration and cooperation, wherein key design trade-offs are demonstrated. Apart from physical-layer enhancements, emerging LAWN applications demand broader functionalities. To this end, we propose a multi-functional LAWN framework that extends ISAC with capabilities in control, computation, wireless power transfer, and large language model (LLM)-based intelligence. We further provide a representative case study to present the benefits of ISAC-enabled LAWNs and the promising research directions are finally outlined.