Joint Array Partitioning and Beamforming Designs in ISAC Systems: A Bayesian CRB Perspective

Integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) has emerged as a promising paradigm for next-generation (6G) wireless networks, unifying radar sensing and communication on a shared hardware platform. This paper proposes a dynamic array partitioning framework for monostatic ISAC systems to fully exploit available spatial degrees of freedom (DoFs) and reconfigurable antenna topologies, enhancing sensing performance in complex scenarios. We first establish a theoretical foundation for our work by deriving Bayesian Cram\'{e}r-Rao bounds (BCRBs) under prior distribution constraints for heterogeneous target models, encompassing both point-like and extended targets. Building on this, we formulate a joint optimization framework for transmit beamforming and dynamic array partitioning to minimize the derived BCRBs for direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation. The optimization problem incorporates practical constraints, including multi-user communication signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) requirements, transmit power budgets, and array partitioning feasibility conditions. To address the non-convexity of the problem, we develop an efficient alternating optimization algorithm combining the alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) with semi-definite relaxation (SDR). We also design novel maximum a posteriori (MAP) DOA estimation algorithms specifically adapted to the statistical characteristics of each target model. Extensive simulations illustrate the superiority of the proposed dynamic partitioning strategy over conventional fixed-array architectures across diverse system configurations.

Low Range-Doppler Sidelobe ISAC Waveform Design: A Low-Complexity Approach

Integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) is a pivotal enabler for next-generation wireless networks. A key challenge in ISAC systems lies in designing dual-functional waveforms that can achieve satisfactory radar sensing accuracy by effectively suppressing range-Doppler sidelobes. However, existing solutions are often computationally intensive, limiting their practicality in multi-input multi-output (MIMO) orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) ISAC deployments. This paper presents a novel low-complexity algorithm leveraging the augmented Lagrangian method (ALM) and Riemannian conjugate gradient (RCG) optimization techniques to address these challenges. The proposed algorithm achieves superior sidelobe suppression compared to state-of-the-art methods while dramatically reducing computational complexity, making it highly suitable for real-world MIMO-OFDM ISAC systems. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed approach not only outperforms existing benchmarks in sidelobe reduction but also accelerates convergence, ensuring efficient performance across communication and sensing tasks.

Distributed Distortion-Aware Beamforming Designs for Cell-Free mMIMO Systems

Cell-free massive multi-input multi-output (CF-mMIMO) systems have emerged as a promising paradigm for next-generation wireless communications, offering enhanced spectral efficiency and coverage through distributed antenna arrays. However, the non-linearity of power amplifiers (PAs) in these arrays introduce spatial distortion, which may significantly degrade system performance. This paper presents the first investigation of distortion-aware beamforming in a distributed framework tailored for CF-mMIMO systems, enabling pre-compensation for beam dispersion caused by nonlinear PA distortion. Using a third-order memoryless polynomial distortion model, the impact of the nonlinear PA on the performance of CF-mMIMO systems is firstly analyzed by evaluating the signal-to-interference-noise-and-distortion ratio (SINDR) at user equipment (UE). Then, we develop two distributed distortion-aware beamforming designs based on ring topology and star topology, respectively. In particular, the ring-topology-based fully-distributed approach reduces interconnection costs and computational complexity, while the star-topology-based partially-distributed scheme leverages the superior computation capability of the central processor to achieve improved sum-rate performance. Extensive simulations demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed distortion-aware beamforming designs in mitigating the effect of nonlinear PA distortion, while also reducing computational complexity and backhaul information exchange in CF-mMIMO systems.

Tri-timescale Beamforming Design for Tri-hybrid Architectures with Reconfigurable Antennas

Reconfigurable antennas possess the capability to dynamically adjust their fundamental operating characteristics, thereby enhancing system adaptability and performance. To fully exploit this flexibility in modern wireless communication systems, this paper considers a novel tri-hybrid beamforming architecture, which seamlessly integrates pattern-reconfigurable antennas with both analog and digital beamforming. The proposed tri-hybrid architecture operates across three layers: (\textit{i}) a radiation beamformer in the electromagnetic (EM) domain for dynamic pattern alignment, (\textit{ii}) an analog beamformer in the radio-frequency (RF) domain for array gain enhancement, and (\textit{iii}) a digital beamformer in the baseband (BB) domain for multi-user interference mitigation. To establish a solid theoretical foundation, we first develop a comprehensive mathematical model for the tri-hybrid beamforming system and formulate the signal model for a multi-user multi-input single-output (MU-MISO) scenario. The optimization objective is to maximize the sum-rate while satisfying practical constraints. Given the challenges posed by high pilot overhead and computational complexity, we introduce an innovative tri-timescale beamforming framework, wherein the radiation beamformer is optimized over a long-timescale, the analog beamformer over a medium-timescale, and the digital beamformer over a short-timescale. This hierarchical strategy effectively balances performance and implementation feasibility. Simulation results validate the performance gains of the proposed tri-hybrid architecture and demonstrate that the tri-timescale design significantly reduces pilot overhead and computational complexity, highlighting its potential for future wireless communication systems.

Joint Waveform and Beamforming Design in RIS-ISAC Systems: A Model-Driven Learning Approach

Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) has emerged as a key enabler for future wireless systems. The recently developed symbol-level precoding (SLP) technique holds significant potential for ISAC waveform design, as it leverages both temporal and spatial degrees of freedom (DoFs) to enhance multi-user communication and radar sensing capabilities. Concurrently, reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS) offer additional controllable propagation paths, further amplifying interest in their application. However, previous studies have encountered substantial computational challenges due to the complexity of jointly designing SLP-based waveforms and RIS passive beamforming. In this paper, we propose a novel model-driven learning approach that jointly optimizes waveform and beamforming by unfolding the iterative alternative direction method of multipliers (ADMM) algorithm. Two joint design algorithms are developed for radar target detection and direction-of-arrival (DoA) estimation tasks in a cluttered RIS-ISAC system. While ensuring the communication quality-of-service (QoS) requirements, our objectives are: 1) to maximize the radar output signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) for target detection, and 2) to minimize the Cram\'{e}r-Rao bound (CRB) for DoA estimation. Simulation results verify that our proposed model-driven learning algorithms achieve satisfactory communication and sensing performance, while also offering a substantial reduction in computational complexity, as reflected by the average execution time.

Target Detection in OFDM-ISAC Systems: A Multipath Exploitation Approach

This paper investigates the potential of multipath exploitation for enhancing target detection in orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM)-based integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) systems. The study aims to improve target detection performance by harnessing the diversity gain in the delay-Doppler domain. We propose a weighted generalized likelihood ratio test (GLRT) detector that effectively leverages the multipath propagation between the base station (BS) and the target. To further enhance detection accuracy, a joint optimization framework is developed for subcarrier power allocation at the transmitter and weight coefficients of the GLRT detector. The objective is to maximize the probability of target detection while satisfying constraints on total transmit power and the communication receiver's signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). An iterative algorithm based on the majorization-minimization (MM) method is employed to address the resulting non-convex optimization problem. Simulation results demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed algorithm and confirm the benefits of multipath exploitation for target detection in OFDM-ISAC systems under multipath-rich environments.

Target Detection in ISAC Systems with Active RISs: A Multi-Perspective Observation Approach

Integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) has emerged as a transformative technology for 6G networks, enabling the seamless integration of communication and sensing functionalities. Reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS), with their capability to adaptively reconfigure the radio environment, have shown significant potential in enhancing communication quality and enabling advanced cooperative sensing. This paper investigates a multi-RIS-assisted ISAC system and introduces a novel multi-perspective observation framework that leverages the diversity of multiple observation paths, each exhibiting distinct spatial, delay, and Doppler characteristics for both target and clutter. The proposed framework integrates symbol-level precoding (SLP) and space-time adaptive processing (STAP) to fully exploit the benefits of multi-perspective observations, enabling superior target-clutter separation and significantly improving detection accuracy. The objective is to jointly design the transmit waveform, reflection coefficients of multiple active RISs, and spatial-temporal receive filters to maximize the radar output signal-to-clutter-plus-noise ratio (SCNR) for target detection, while ensuring the quality-of-service (QoS) requirements of communication users. To address the resulting non-convex optimization problem, an effective iterative algorithm is developed, combining fractional programming (FP), majorization-minimization (MM), and the alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM). Extensive simulation results validate the effectiveness of the proposed multi-perspective observation strategy, demonstrating its advantages in improving target detection performance in challenging environments.

Non-Reciprocal Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces

In contrast to conventional RIS, the scattering matrix of a non-reciprocal RIS (NR-RIS) is non-symmetric, leading to differences in the uplink and the downlink components of NR-RIS cascaded channels. In this paper, a physically-consistent device model is proposed in which an NR-RIS is composed of multiple groups of two-port elements inter-connected by non-reciprocal devices. The resulting non-reciprocal scattering matrix is derived for various cases including two-element groups connected with isolators or gyrators, and general three-element groups connected via circulators. Signal models are given for NR-RIS operating in either reflecting-only or simultaneously transmitting and reflecting modes. The problem of NR-RIS design for non-reciprocal beamsteering is formulated for three-element circulator implementations, and numerical results confirm that non-reciprocal beamsteering can be achieved with minimal sidelobe power. We also show that our physically consistent NR-RIS architecture is effective in implementing channel reciprocity attacks, achieving similar performance to that with idealized NR-RIS models.

CRB Optimization using a Parametric Scattering Model for Extended Targets in ISAC Systems

This paper presents a novel parametric scattering model (PSM) for sensing extended targets in integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) systems. The PSM addresses the limitations of traditional models by efficiently capturing the target's angular characteristics through a compact set of key parameters, including the central angle and angular spread, enabling efficient optimization. Based on the PSM, we first derive the Cramer-Rao Bound (CRB) for parameter estimation and then propose a beamforming design algorithm to minimize the CRB while meeting both communication signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) and power constraints. By integrating the PSM into the beamforming optimization process, the proposed framework achieves superior CRB performance while balancing the tradeoff between sensing accuracy and communication quality. Simulation results demonstrate that the PSM-based approach consistently outperforms traditional unstructured and discrete scattering models, particularly in resource-limited scenarios, highlighting its practical applicability and scalability.

Joint Space-Time Adaptive Processing and Beamforming Design for Cell-Free ISAC Systems

In this paper, we explore cooperative sensing and communication within cell-free integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) systems. Specifically, multiple transmit access points (APs) collaboratively serve multiple communication users while simultaneously illuminating a potential target, with a separate sensing AP dedicated to collecting echo signals for target detection. To improve the performance of identifying a moving target in the presence of strong interference originating from transmit APs, we employ the space-time adaptive processing (STAP) technique and jointly optimize the transmit/receive beamforming. Our goal is to maximize the radar output signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR), subject to the communication SINR requirements and the power budget. An efficient alternating algorithm is developed to solve the resulting non-convex optimization problem. Simulations demonstrate significant performance improvements in target detection and validate the advantages of the proposed joint STAP and beamforming design for cell-free ISAC systems.