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Distributed Intelligent Integrated Sensing and Communications: The 6G-DISAC Approach

Emilio Calvanese Strinati, George C. Alexandropoulos, Madhusudan Giyyarpuram, Philippe Sehier, Sami Mekki, Vincenzo Sciancalepore, Maximilian Stark, Mohamed Sana, Benoit Denis, Maurizio Crozzoli, Navid Amani, Placido Mursia, Raffaele D Errico, Mauro Boldi, Francesca Costanzo, Francois Rivet, Henk Wymeerschx

TL;DR

DISAC addresses the scalability of ISAC by distributing sensing and computation, introducing a semantic, goal-oriented communications framework and high-resolution sensing for 6G networks. It combines novel waveform design, semantic channels, and distributed AI to optimize resource allocation, data management, and multi-modal information fusion across large areas. Key contributions include a distributed architecture blueprint, seven KPIs, and five demonstrations validating distributed sensing, RIS-enabled operations, and semantic integration. The framework promises significant impact across transportation, healthcare, and industry by enabling energy-efficient, context-aware sensing and communications in future wireless systems.

Abstract

This paper introduces the concept of Distributed Intelligent integrated Sensing and Communications (DISAC), which expands the capabilities of Integrated Sensing and Communications (ISAC) towards distributed architectures. Additionally, the DISAC framework integrates novel waveform design with new semantic and goal-oriented communication paradigms, enabling ISAC technologies to transition from traditional data fusion to the semantic composition of diverse sensed and shared information. This progress facilitates large-scale, energy-efficient support for high-precision spatial-temporal processing, optimizing ISAC resource utilization, and enabling effective multi-modal sensing performance. Addressing key challenges such as efficient data management and connect-compute resource utilization, 6G- DISAC stands to revolutionize applications in diverse sectors including transportation, healthcare, and industrial automation. Our study encapsulates the project vision, methodologies, and potential impact, marking a significant stride towards a more connected and intelligent world.

Distributed Intelligent Integrated Sensing and Communications: The 6G-DISAC Approach

TL;DR

DISAC addresses the scalability of ISAC by distributing sensing and computation, introducing a semantic, goal-oriented communications framework and high-resolution sensing for 6G networks. It combines novel waveform design, semantic channels, and distributed AI to optimize resource allocation, data management, and multi-modal information fusion across large areas. Key contributions include a distributed architecture blueprint, seven KPIs, and five demonstrations validating distributed sensing, RIS-enabled operations, and semantic integration. The framework promises significant impact across transportation, healthcare, and industry by enabling energy-efficient, context-aware sensing and communications in future wireless systems.

Abstract

This paper introduces the concept of Distributed Intelligent integrated Sensing and Communications (DISAC), which expands the capabilities of Integrated Sensing and Communications (ISAC) towards distributed architectures. Additionally, the DISAC framework integrates novel waveform design with new semantic and goal-oriented communication paradigms, enabling ISAC technologies to transition from traditional data fusion to the semantic composition of diverse sensed and shared information. This progress facilitates large-scale, energy-efficient support for high-precision spatial-temporal processing, optimizing ISAC resource utilization, and enabling effective multi-modal sensing performance. Addressing key challenges such as efficient data management and connect-compute resource utilization, 6G- DISAC stands to revolutionize applications in diverse sectors including transportation, healthcare, and industrial automation. Our study encapsulates the project vision, methodologies, and potential impact, marking a significant stride towards a more connected and intelligent world.
Paper Structure (12 sections, 4 figures)

This paper contains 12 sections, 4 figures.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Distributed ISAC System Architecture
  3. Scenario and Use Cases
  4. Metrics and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
  5. Architectural Proposal
  6. Research on Innovative Technology Enablers
  7. Waveforms and Semantic Communications
  8. Intelligent and Distributed PHY Layer
  9. DISAC Proofs of Concept
  10. Description of the 6G-DISAC Demos
  11. Discussion
  12. Conclusion

Figures (4)

  • Figure 1: An example 6G-DISAC application scenario (urban digital twin), providing the ability to track users and objects over extended time and space, supported by the DISAC architecture and the integrated semantic framework.
  • Figure 2: The vision for the 6G-DISAC network architecture including the SeMF component tasked to configure and manage STNs and SRNs.
  • Figure 3: Levels of information sharing in 6G-DISAC.
  • Figure 4: Overview of the five planned 6G-DISAC demonstrations.