6G Localization and Sensing in the Near Field: Features, Opportunities, and Challenges
Journal article, 2024

The far-field channel model has historically been used in wireless communications due to the simplicity of mathematical modeling and convenience for algorithm design. With the need for high data rates, low latency, and ubiquitous connectivity in the sixth generation (6G) of communication systems, new technology enablers such as extremely large antenna arrays (ELAAs), reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs), and distributed multiple-input-multiple-output (D-MIMO) systems will be adopted. These enablers not only aim to improve communication services but also have an impact on localization and sensing (L&S), which are expected to be fundamentally built-in functionalities in future wireless systems. Despite appearing in different scenarios and supporting different frequency bands, such enablers share the so-called near-field (NF) features, which will provide extra geometric information conducive to L&S. In this work, we describe the NF features, namely, the spherical wave model, spatial non-stationarity, and beam squint effect. After discussing how L&S see NF differently from communication, the opportunities and open research challenges are provided.

near field

RIS

sensing

6G

ELAA

Localization

D-MIMO

Author

Hui Chen

Chalmers, Electrical Engineering, Communication, Antennas and Optical Networks

Musa Furkan Keskin

Chalmers, Electrical Engineering, Communication, Antennas and Optical Networks

Adham Sakhnini

KU Leuven

Interuniversitair Micro-Elektronica Centrum (IMEC)

Nicolo Decarli

Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Telecomunicazioni (CNIT)

National Research Council of Italy (CNR)

Sofie Pollin

KU Leuven

Davide Dardari

University of Bologna

Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Telecomunicazioni (CNIT)

Henk Wymeersch

Chalmers, Electrical Engineering, Communication, Antennas and Optical Networks

IEEE Wireless Communications

1536-1284 (ISSN) 15580687 (eISSN)

Vol. In press

Beyond 5G Positioning

FFI - Strategic Vehicle Research and Innovation (022-01640), 2022-11-01 -- 2024-10-31.

Areas of Advance

Information and Communication Technology

Subject Categories

Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Information Engineering

Signal Processing

DOI

10.1109/MWC.011.2300359

More information

Latest update

6/26/2024