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April 17, 2025
The European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) has published a report on the expected sensing capabilities of future 6G networks. The focus is on Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC), a technology that combines communication and sensing in one system.
The report describes 18 use cases that illustrate the potential of ISAC. Alain Mourad, Chair of the ISAC ISG at ETSI, emphasizes the report's importance as a basis for future 6G specifications and collaboration with other standardization bodies such as 3GPP SA1.
ISAC enables wireless networks not only to transmit data but also to actively perceive their environment. By integrating sensor functions into the communication infrastructure, new application possibilities open up in areas such as healthcare, public safety, transportation, robotics, smart factories, and smart cities. The shared use of radio signals, spectrum, and hardware for communication and sensing tasks promises significant technological and societal benefits.
In healthcare, base stations could record vital parameters such as heart rate and respiration in public spaces and trigger alarms in emergencies. Remote-controlled robots could monitor senior citizens, act as avatars for family members, and provide support. The search for missing persons could also be revolutionized by ISAC-enabled mobile devices that detect micro-movements of heartbeat and respiration under rubble or snow.
In the transport sector, ISAC, in combination with camera data, could enable a more comprehensive understanding of the traffic situation. Smart traffic light control and the safe control of drones beyond visual line of sight (BVLoS) are further application examples.
In industry, collaborative robots controlled by digital twins could perform complex tasks more precisely. The precise localization of objects for robotic gripper arms is crucial for manufacturing and construction. Real-time Cyber-Physical Systems (R-CPS) could enable specialists to remotely control robots in hazardous environments.
The ETSI report defines requirements and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for 6G systems, including positioning accuracy, speed estimation, sensor resolution, latency, reliability, and the probability of false detections. New KPIs such as "fine movement accuracy" for capturing subtle movements are introduced.
The report analyzes various deployment scenarios and the suitability of different frequency bands. Six different sensor modes and integration levels are discussed.
Challenges exist in fine movement detection, extremely low latency for real-time Cyber-Physical Systems, robust performance in challenging environments, and data fusion from various sources. AI/ML are identified as key technologies.
The report recommends further research on ISAC channel modeling, measurements, and evaluation methods. The development of system and RAN architectures that support the various deployment scenarios is crucial.
Particularly important are studies on security, privacy, trustworthiness, and sustainability of ISAC, especially with regard to the collection of data about people. Ensuring user consent, anonymizing data, and protecting against unauthorized access are essential.
The ETSI report provides an important roadmap for the integration of sensing into future 6G networks and highlights both the enormous potential and the necessary steps.
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