Opportunistic Network-Level ISAC with Cooperative Sensing: A Meta-Distribution Analysis

TL;DR

This paper introduces a cooperative sensing framework for mmWave ISAC networks that enhances target detection reliability by leveraging neighboring BS echoes without extra resource exchange, analyzed via stochastic geometry.

Contribution

It presents a novel cooperative sensing approach using non-coherent echo-power combining and characterizes its performance with a new meta-distribution analysis.

Findings

Significant sensing performance improvements with minimal communication overhead.

Enhanced high-reliability tail for safety-critical applications.

Quantitative coverage and rate metrics derived using stochastic geometry.

Abstract

We propose a cooperative sensing framework for mmWave ISAC networks in which a target is sensed by its nearest BS while opportunistically exploiting bistatic echoes from neighboring BSs. Cooperation requires no dedicated resources or exchange of sensing results, and is realized via non-coherent echo-power combining. Using stochastic geometry, we characterize sensing/communication coverage and rates and, for the first time, the cooperative sensing meta-distribution to quantify reliability across targets. Results show substantial sensing gains with limited communication loss and improved high-reliability tail, increasing the fraction of targets meeting stringent reliability guarantees crucial for safety-critical applications.