Intelligent Surface Empowered Integrated Sensing and Communication: From Coexistence to Reciprocity

Abstract: Integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) has attracted growing interests for sixth-generation (6G) and beyond wireless networks. The primary challenges faced by highly efficient ISAC include limited sensing and communication (S&C) coverage, constrained integration gain between S&C under weak channel correlations, and unknown performance boundary. Intelligent reflecting/refracting surfaces (IRSs) can effectively expand S&C coverage and control the degree of freedom of channels between the transmitters and receivers, thereby realizing increasing integration gains. In this work, we first delve into the fundamental characteristics of IRS-empowered ISAC and innovative IRS-assisted sensing architectures. Then, we discuss various objectives for IRS channel control and deployment optimization in ISAC systems. Furthermore, the interplay between S&C in different deployment strategies is investigated and some promising directions for IRS enhanced ISAC are outlined.