Integrated Sensing and Communication: 3GPP Standardization Progress

Integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) aims to use the basic functions of the wireless communication system to achieve sensing (by sharing the same frequency, signalling, hardware, etc.). At the same time, the results of wireless sensing are used in turn to optimize wireless communication. In this way, it is possible to realize the dual promotion of wireless communication system and wireless sensing, improve and fully differentiate the spectrum utilization, and reach a high level of integration and simplification of the equipment, and achieve accurate sensing. This paper reports an ongoing study on ISAC conducted by the Service & System Aspects Work Group 1 (SA WG1) of the third generation partnership project (3GPP), which is defining to study use cases and potential requirements for the enhancement of the 5G systems (5GS) to provide ISAC services addressing various target verticals/applications. We summarize the objectives of the ISAC Study Item (SI), and discuss some of the most interesting proposed use cases discussed thus far. We also introduce the potential new requirement for 5GS as well as a summary of potential research objective pertaining to ISAC in standardization evolution.

I. Introduction

In the 5G era, mobile communication has expanded from a mobile broadband system mainly serving communications between people to a system additionally supporting communications between people and things and from serving the private and public spheres to serving vertical industries. Entering the post-5G and future oriented 6G era, it can be predicted that more new applications, new scenarios, new demands and new development trends will emerge. Information processing functions will need to expand from information transmission to information collection and information computing. AI applications, immersive applications and digital twin applications are constantly emerging, and are widely penetrating into the personal lives of individual users as well as intelligent manufacturing, intelligent transportation, smart energy, smart medicine and other vertical application fields. AI applications rely on machine learning technology to assist or replace human work. The related information processing needs are focused on sensing, training, reasoning and decision-making [1]. Immersive applications rely on extended reality (XR) [2] technology to achieve synaesthetic experiences and remote control. The related information processing needs are focused on sensing, rendering and display; Digital twin applications involve the simulation and manipulation of the physical world based on the interactive mapping capability between physical and virtual systems. The related information processing needs are focused on sensing, modelling and control.