Lecture

Towards the Next Generation of Wireless Infrastructure with Sensing

  • at -
  • ICM Saal 5
  • Language: English
  • Type: Lecture

Lecture description

Cellular communications connects people around the world using radio-frequency spectrum. The harmonization of global spectrum is precisely defined and managed by the International Telecommunication Union – Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R). Without the support of governments, regulatory authorities, and industry experts, we would not have been able to enjoy the benefits of wireless internet in 3G, internet of applications in 4G, and ubiquitous connectivity in 5G. These generational advancements are driven not only by the insatiable and ever-increasing demand for capacity but also by the rising number of smart devices and subscriptions, as well as an increase in the average data volume per subscription. However, upon closer examination, we find an intricate set of requirements and design complexities that intertwine. These include market requirements and applications, technical specifications, and radio technology developments, all of which must align with wireless standardization activities.

The ITU-R has developed a framework for IMT-2030 (also known as 6G), which encompasses emerging services, applications, and technical aspects. One of the pillars of this framework is the integrated multi-dimensional sensing technology, which aims to enhance high-precision positioning through object and presence detection, localization, imaging, and mapping. Furthermore, communication operations at higher emerging spectrum (also known as FR3 band) and the proliferation of wireless nodes in the network lead to new innovations in radio components and signal processing algorithms within the radio unit. This, in turn, allows communication devices to additionally serve as sensing devices. From an infrastructure perspective, such a technology enables communication-centric services, including environment monitoring, network resource optimization and interference management for base stations and industrial Internet of Things. However, the requirements and technical specifications vary depending on the specific application. Nevertheless, the exploitation of full-duplex radio circuits in a radar-like operation for joint monostatic sensing and communications is expected to be a prominent feature in future wireless systems due to the additional position and velocity information it provides to the network, albeit at an incremental cost due to hardware constraints.

In this presentation, we will explore trends in global standardization activities, broader market applications, technical requirements, and fundamental technical challenges by analyzing two distinct use cases, i.e., smart cities and smart factories. We will also examine the integration of sensing and communications for broad market adoption from an industrial perspective.

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