The Rise of Networked ISAC: Emerging Aspects and Challenges

Diana P.M. Osorio; Bidushi Barua; Karl Ludwig Besser; Henry Blue; Prajnamaya Dass; Pawani Porambage

doi:10.1109/OJCOMS.2025.3575729

The Rise of Networked ISAC: Emerging Aspects and Challenges

Diana P.M. Osorio^*
, Bidushi Barua
, Karl Ludwig Besser
, Henry Blue
, Prajnamaya Dass
, Pawani Porambage

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This paper contributes to the consolidation of networked integrated sensing and communications (ISAC), emphasizing essential aspects, technologies, and strategies for the design of this new paradigm. Herein, we outline our vision for networked ISAC and its architectural components. Our work stands out by addressing key aspects from the physical to network layers, as well as security, privacy, and resilience, which we believe are pivotal in shaping the design of networked ISAC systems and assessing the viability of use cases with strict requirements. Our discussion includes aspects regarding advanced antenna technologies, challenges regarding synchronization and interference management, resource allocation and cooperation strategies, and procedures and protocols at the network level. Additionally, we discuss new threat vectors in the context of networked ISAC, considering ethical and legal implications, and potential solutions. Given the criticality and safety-threatening nature of ISAC scenarios, it is crucial to design systems that meet stringent requirements under failures and malfunctions. Thus, we raise the main considerations for resilience design in networked ISAC, and identify opportunities to enhance resilience through cooperation. Finally, we offer insights on emerging research directions, pinpointing key areas that deserve focused research.

Original language	English
Article number	0b0000649401c5c7
Pages (from-to)	5072-5091
Number of pages	20
Journal	IEEE Open Journal of the Communications Society
Volume	6
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1109/OJCOMS.2025.3575729
Publication status	Published - 2025
MoE publication type	A1 Journal article-refereed

Funding

This work was supported by the Swedish Strategic Research Environment ELLIIT, through the Vinnova Project CO-ISAC and through the Security Link Project. The work of Henry Blue and Pawani Porambage was supported by the XcARet Project funded by Research Council of Finland. The work of Prajnamaya Dass was supported by the Saxonian State Parliament in Germany.

Keywords

6G networks
architecture
integrated sensing and communications
networked ISAC
physical and network technologies
resilience
security and privacy

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OJCOMS.2025.3575729Final published version, 4.44 MBLicence: CC BY

Cite this

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The Rise of Networked ISAC: Emerging Aspects and Challenges

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