On SFBC Schemes for Enabling Virtual Array Concept in Monostatic ISAC Scenarios

Area of Science:

• Electrical Engineering
• Signal Processing
• Telecommunications

Background:

• The 6G framework introduces Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) as a physical layer feature.
• ISAC systems address dual-functional needs in applications like the Internet of Things (IoT) and autonomous driving.
• Existing methods face challenges in integrating sensing and communication functionalities efficiently.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose and evaluate the use of orthogonal space frequency block codes (SFBC) for ISAC systems.
• To demonstrate how SFBC enables simultaneous data stream separation and target parameter estimation.
• To analyze the trade-offs between communication diversity and sensing resolution using different SFBCs.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of orthogonal space frequency block codes (SFBC) for signal processing.
• Utilizing SFBC to achieve virtual antenna array for enhanced direction-finding.
• Comparing Alamouti and Tarokh codes for varying numbers of transmitting antennas.

Main Results:

• SFBC provides communication link diversity without requiring transmitter channel state information.
• SFBC enhances direction-finding resolution through the virtual antenna array concept.
• Alamouti codes offer doubled sensing resolution and diversity order, while Tarokh codes provide fourfold improvements with a reduced code rate.

Conclusions:

• SFBC offers a promising, simple, and efficient method for future ISAC systems.
• The choice of SFBC allows for a tunable trade-off between sensing resolution and communication performance.
• The proposed SFBC approach meets the demanding requirements of dual-functional 6G applications.