Information Theoretic Foundations of Joint Communication and Sensing

The integration of radio communication and sensing services within the same standard and network infrastructure will be a key feature of next-generation wireless technology. It is envisaged that wireless base-stations will simultaneously communicate with active user devices connected to the network and detect, localize and track passive targets within their vicinity; all using the same radio spectrum and hardware. In automotive, vehicles are expected to sense their surroundings and communicate with other vehicles and infrastructure through an integrated radio system. This emerging joint communication and sensing (JCAS) paradigm, currently at the frontier of wireless research, promises to transform diverse domains ranging from automotive and traffic management to industrial automation, agriculture and healthcare.

To realize this vision and unlock the full potential of JCAS, a fundamental theory is required. Communication-centric wireless systems have long relied on information theory to establish performance limits and guide the design of efficient schemes that best utilize scarce radio resources. In sharp contrast, information theory for JCAS is currently in its infancy, and without such a theory, optimal signal and protocol design for next-generation wireless networks will likely remain elusive. The overarching goal of this project is to take the first major steps towards closing this fundamental knowledge gap.

The project is structured around three main thrusts. The first thrust will revisit the notions of efficiency and reliability in sensing and establish fundamental information-theoretic trade-offs. The second thrust focuses on establishing new information-theoretic performance limits and optimal schemes for JCAS systems, where signals serve the dual purpose of communicating and probing. The final thrust extends the analysis to multiple transceivers, targets, and users by introducing a novel network information theory for sensing and JCAS. The results of this project will open a new research frontier in information theory, push the boundaries of current research in related areas, and directly impact the design and development of future JCAS-enabled wireless technology.