Integrated Sensing and Communication Channel Modeling: A Survey

Abstract: Integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) is expected to play a crucial role in the sixth-generation (6G) mobile communication systems, offering potential applications in the scenarios of intelligent transportation, smart factories, etc. The performance of radar sensing in ISAC systems is closely related to the characteristics of radar sensing and communication channels. Therefore, ISAC channel modeling serves as a fundamental cornerstone for evaluating and optimizing ISAC systems. This article provides a comprehensive survey on the ISAC channel modeling methods. Furthermore, the methods of target radar cross section (RCS) modeling and clutter RCS modeling are summarized. Finally, we discuss the future research trends related to ISAC channel modeling in various scenarios.