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Frequency Range 3 for ISAC in 6G: Potentials and Challenges

Gayan Aruma Baduge, Mojtaba Vaezi, Janith K. Dassanayake, Muhammad Z. Hameed, Esa Ollila, Sergiy A Vorobyov

Abstract

Spanning 7-24 GHz, frequency range 3 (FR3), is a key enabler for next-generation wireless networks by bridging the coverage of sub-6 GHz and the capacity of millimeter-wave bands. Its unique propagation characteristics, such as extended near-field regions and spatially nonstationary fading, enable new transmission strategies. This article explores the potential of FR3 for integrated sensing and communication (ISAC), which unifies wireless communication and environmental sensing. We show that FR3's bandwidth and multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) capabilities enable high-resolution sensing, multi-target tracking, and fast data transmission. We emphasize the importance of ultra-massive MIMO with extremely large aperture arrays (ELAAs) and the need for unified near-field and far-field channel models to support efficient ISAC. Finally, we outline challenges and future research directions for ELAA-based ISAC in 6G FR3.

Frequency Range 3 for ISAC in 6G: Potentials and Challenges

Abstract

Spanning 7-24 GHz, frequency range 3 (FR3), is a key enabler for next-generation wireless networks by bridging the coverage of sub-6 GHz and the capacity of millimeter-wave bands. Its unique propagation characteristics, such as extended near-field regions and spatially nonstationary fading, enable new transmission strategies. This article explores the potential of FR3 for integrated sensing and communication (ISAC), which unifies wireless communication and environmental sensing. We show that FR3's bandwidth and multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) capabilities enable high-resolution sensing, multi-target tracking, and fast data transmission. We emphasize the importance of ultra-massive MIMO with extremely large aperture arrays (ELAAs) and the need for unified near-field and far-field channel models to support efficient ISAC. Finally, we outline challenges and future research directions for ELAA-based ISAC in 6G FR3.

Paper Structure

This paper contains 11 sections, 6 figures.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. The golden band (FR3) and its existing services
  3. Incumbent Communication and Sensing Services in FR3
  4. Coexistence of 6G ISAC Functionalities with Incumbents
  5. Challenges of Unification and Coexistence of ISAC in FR3
  6. Candidate technologies for 6G ISAC in FR3
  7. ELAAs for Enabling ISAC in FR3
  8. Challenges of Implementing ISAC with ELAAs in FR3
  9. Implications of Extended Near-Field for ISAC in FR3
  10. A use-case of FR3 for deploying ISAC in 6G
  11. Conclusion

Figures (6)

  • Figure 1: Spectrum allocations for FR3 alongside current FR1 and FR2 cellular bands.
  • Figure 2: Coexistence of UEs and satellite CPEs in FR3 with a BS using an ELAA.
  • Figure 3: Performance of ELAAs across different frequency bands.
  • Figure 4: Correlation coefficient in dB scale when one UE is fixed and a second UE is moved along the same spatial direction.
  • Figure 5: The RCS versus range for different frequency bands with far-field (FF) and near-field (NF) assumptions.
  • ...and 1 more figures