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Optical Integrated Sensing and Communication: Architectures, Potentials and Challenges

Yunfeng Wen, Fang Yang, Jian Song, Zhu Han

TL;DR

The paper addresses the need for simultaneous high-rate communication and high-precision sensing in future networks by exploring optical ISAC (O-ISAC) as a complement to RF-ISAC. It surveys a generalized O-ISAC system architecture, identifies primary advantages (rate, precision, interference reduction), and details waveform designs (pulsed, constant-modulus, multi-carrier) and resource-allocation strategies. It also discusses future directions, including advanced hardware (e.g., optical phased arrays), performance metrics, hybrid RF/optical ISAC, and deep-learning-enabled optimization. The findings suggest that WDM/MDM in the optical domain can dramatically increase throughput, while wide optical bandwidths and narrow beam divergences enable cm- to sub-mrad sensing resolutions, with LoS channels simplifying interference control. Collectively, O-ISAC is positioned as a powerful enabler for next-generation networks, capable of co-delivering high data rates and precise sensing alongside RF-based ISAC solutions.

Abstract

Integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) is viewed as a crucial component of future mobile networks and has gained much interest in both academia and industry. Similar to the emergence of radio-frequency (RF) ISAC, the integration of free space optical communication and optical sensing yields optical ISAC (O-ISAC), which is regarded as a powerful complement to its RF counterpart. In this article, we first introduce the generalized system structure of O-ISAC, and then elaborate on three advantages of O-ISAC, i.e., increasing communication rate, enhancing sensing precision, and reducing interference. Next, waveform design and resource allocation of O-ISAC are discussed based on pulsed waveform, constant-modulus waveform, and multi-carrier waveform. Furthermore, we put forward future trends and challenges of O-ISAC, which are expected to provide some valuable directions for future research.

Optical Integrated Sensing and Communication: Architectures, Potentials and Challenges

TL;DR

The paper addresses the need for simultaneous high-rate communication and high-precision sensing in future networks by exploring optical ISAC (O-ISAC) as a complement to RF-ISAC. It surveys a generalized O-ISAC system architecture, identifies primary advantages (rate, precision, interference reduction), and details waveform designs (pulsed, constant-modulus, multi-carrier) and resource-allocation strategies. It also discusses future directions, including advanced hardware (e.g., optical phased arrays), performance metrics, hybrid RF/optical ISAC, and deep-learning-enabled optimization. The findings suggest that WDM/MDM in the optical domain can dramatically increase throughput, while wide optical bandwidths and narrow beam divergences enable cm- to sub-mrad sensing resolutions, with LoS channels simplifying interference control. Collectively, O-ISAC is positioned as a powerful enabler for next-generation networks, capable of co-delivering high data rates and precise sensing alongside RF-based ISAC solutions.

Abstract

Integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) is viewed as a crucial component of future mobile networks and has gained much interest in both academia and industry. Similar to the emergence of radio-frequency (RF) ISAC, the integration of free space optical communication and optical sensing yields optical ISAC (O-ISAC), which is regarded as a powerful complement to its RF counterpart. In this article, we first introduce the generalized system structure of O-ISAC, and then elaborate on three advantages of O-ISAC, i.e., increasing communication rate, enhancing sensing precision, and reducing interference. Next, waveform design and resource allocation of O-ISAC are discussed based on pulsed waveform, constant-modulus waveform, and multi-carrier waveform. Furthermore, we put forward future trends and challenges of O-ISAC, which are expected to provide some valuable directions for future research.
Paper Structure (23 sections, 5 figures, 1 table)

This paper contains 23 sections, 5 figures, 1 table.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. System Structure and Advantages of O-ISAC
  3. System Structure of O-ISAC
  4. Increasing Communication Rate
  5. Wavelength Division Multiplexing
  6. Mode Division Multiplexing
  7. Enhancing Sensing Precision
  8. High Distance Resolution
  9. High Angle Resolution
  10. Reducing Interference
  11. LoS Channel
  12. Beam Steering
  13. Waveform Design for O-ISAC
  14. Pulsed Waveform
  15. Constant-modulus Waveform
  16. ...and 8 more sections

Figures (5)

  • Figure 1: Generalized system structure of O-ISAC. The blocks in yellow, red, and green are those shared by communication and sensing, specific to communication, and specific to sensing, respectively.
  • Figure 2: Three advantages of O-ISAC: increasing communication rate, enhancing sensing precision, and reducing interference.
  • Figure 3: Waveform design for O-ISAC. (a) Pulsed waveform. (b) Constant-modulus waveform. (c) Multi-carrier waveform in the frequency domain.
  • Figure 4: Numerical results of O-ISAC based on DCO-OFDM. The SNR is defined as the ratio between the transmitted power and the noise power at the receiver, while the attenuation of the channel is normalized. (a) BER versus SNR. (b) RMSE for target distance versus SNR.
  • Figure 5: Future trends of O-ISAC integrated with other emerging technologies.