Secure High-Resolution ISAC via Multi-Layer Intelligent Metasurfaces: A Layered Optimization Framework

TL;DR

This paper presents a layered optimization framework utilizing stacked intelligent metasurfaces to enhance high-resolution sensing and secure communication in integrated sensing and communication systems, addressing key limitations of existing approaches.

Contribution

It introduces a novel multi-layer metasurface system with a layered optimization algorithm that jointly improves sensing accuracy and communication security under practical constraints.

Findings

Achieves 32-61% improvement in sensing accuracy

Enhances secrecy rates by 15-35%

Demonstrates robustness to channel uncertainties

Abstract

Integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) has emerged as a pivotal technology for next-generation wireless networks, enabling simultaneous data transmission and environmental sensing. However, existing ISAC systems face fundamental limitations in achieving high-resolution sensing while maintaining robust communication security and spectral efficiency. This paper introduces a transformative approach leveraging stacked intelligent metasurfaces (SIM) to overcome these challenges. We propose a multi-functional SIM-assisted system that jointly optimizes communication secrecy and sensing accuracy through a novel layered optimization framework. Our solution employs a multi-objective optimization formulation that balances secrecy rate maximization with sensing error minimization under practical hardware constraints. The proposed layered block coordinate descent algorithm efficiently coordinates sensing configuration, secure beamforming, communication metasurface optimization, and resource allocation while ensuring robustness to channel uncertainties. Extensive simulations demonstrate significant performance gains over conventional approaches, achieving 32-61\% improvement in sensing accuracy and 15-35\% enhancement in secrecy rates while maintaining computational efficiency. This work establishes a new paradigm for secure and high-precision multi-functional wireless systems.