OFDM Waveform for Monostatic ISAC in 6G: Vision, Approach, and Research Directions
This work addresses the need for efficient sensing and communication integration in 6G networks, though it appears incremental as it builds on existing ISAC research.
The paper tackles the underexplored use of OFDM waveforms for monostatic integrated sensing and communication in 6G networks, presenting practical approaches to enable radar-like sensing capabilities such as ranging and Doppler estimation on wireless devices.
Integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) is widely regarded as a key enabling technology for 6G wireless networks. While extensive research has explored the coexistence of sensing and communication functionalities, the use of orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) waveforms for monostatic ISAC remains underexplored. In this article, we present practical approaches for enabling monostatic sensing on wireless communication devices and illustrate how OFDM signals can provide radar-like sensing capabilities such as ranging, Doppler estimation, and environmental perception. We hope this article will stimulate further research on OFDM-based monostatic ISAC and accelerate its adoption in 6G networks.