Intelligent Sensing and Communication as Training Network for Perceptive Mobile Networks in 6G

ISAC-NEWTON addresses critical challenges within various 6G wireless application scenarios, necessitating precise environmental information. Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) emerges as a promising paradigm to harness the synergy between sensing and communication, where perceptive mobile networks (PMNs) have been proposed to enhance existing wireless networks by incorporating accurate sensing capabilities. Established cellular networks offer opportunities for sensing with extensive coverage, robust computation, communication power, and networking sensing from multiple nodes for the same target. However, PMNs encounter significant hurdles, including inherent interference, complex sensing environments, and high-speed target tracking by cellular networks. ISAC-NEWTON aims to overcome these challenges through an exceptional research and training program. The vision is a fully integrated system where sensing and communication coexist, sharing resources across time, frequency, space and power domains, alongside key elements like signal processing, machine learning and hardware. The project adopts a multidimensional information perception: (1) of the physical layer by employing innovative metasurfaces to effectively address challenges in both line-of-sight and non-line-of-sight scenarios; (2) for robust and reliable sensing by novel prediction and situational algorithms, and optimised monostatic, bistatic or multistatic design for adaptive location-time aware scheduling and improved coverage; (3) for intelligent wireless radio resource management by novel machine learning enabled radio access network mechanisms for real-time decision making and zero-trust security. ISAC-NEWTON will provide a unique, advanced, multi-disciplinary training programme covering all aspects of intelligent communication and sensing science field: modelling, design, development, data analysis, validation, and translation to the application, in an harmonious synergy that enconpasses future wireless networks.