Integrated Sensing and Communications for 6G

Dear Colleagues,

As sixth-generation (6G) network development accelerates, integrated sensing and communications (ISAC) is poised to become an important technology in next-generation wireless systems. ISAC unifies sensing and communication functionalities within a single framework, creating a more efficient, more versatile network that can dynamically support both data transfer and environmental awareness. By optimizing spectral efficiency and hardware resource utilization, ISAC enables real-time situational awareness, critical for high-demand applications such as autonomous driving, smart cities, and the Internet of Things (IoT). The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has recognized ISAC as a critical component of the 6G vision, highlighting its potential to revolutionize how devices perceive and interact with their surroundings.

Rapidly advancing ISAC research addresses not only the physical-layer challenges of merging sensing and communications, but also the opening up of new opportunities for innovative solutions in areas such as waveform design, channel modelling, and signal processing. As the boundaries between communication and sensing systems continue to blur, the development of efficient hardware platforms and the optimization of their integration become increasingly critical. These advancements drive ISAC technology to evolve towards real-time, high-precision applications in diverse fields, including autonomous systems, smart cities, and the Internet of Things. In this context, the exploration of new ISAC theories and technologies is essential, particularly in modelling channel characteristics, analysing performance, and optimizing systems.

Therefore, the primary aim of this Special Issue is to explore new theories and technologies in ISAC, including the modelling of new ISAC channel characteristics, the performance analysis of ISAC, ISAC system optimization methods, as well as new ISAC frameworks and applications. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• ISAC channel modelling and measurement;
• Fundamental limits and performance analysis of ISAC;
• ISAC-oriented waveform and sequence design;
• ISAC transceiver design;
• Millimetre-wave/terahertz technology for ISAC;
• ISAC design for vehicular networks and low-altitude networks;
• Applications of ISAC in automation systems, smart cities, and the Internet of Things;
• Multi-domain resource allocation optimization for ISAC systems;
• Experimental demonstrations and prototypes of ISAC;
• Research on ISAC standardization for 3GPP R19;
• Integrated sensing, communication, and computing;
• Artificial intelligence for ISAC;
• ISAC-enabled digital twins for 6G;
• Security and privacy for ISAC;
• Innovative services and applications enabled by ISAC;
• Performance evaluation for ISAC in 6G.

Dr. Yuxiang Zhang
Dr. Yifeng Xiong
Prof. Dr. Jianhua Zhang
Dr. Li Yu
Guest Editors

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