The next generation of mobile networks will not just carry phone calls and data—they will also sense the environment around them, using radio waves to detect objects, movement, and changes in the physical world. This UK-India collaboration tackles a core problem: integrating sensing and communication into a single network is technically difficult and expensive. Current 5G cost models cannot handle the added complexity of sensing, which complicates spectrum management and increases energy use. The project also aims to make these networks far more resilient—targeting 99.99% operational uptime and halving recovery time after disruptions—and to identify the best frequencies in the terahertz (THz) band for high-resolution sensing without wasting power. If successful, the research could make radio-frequency sensing services at least ten times cheaper than today’s 5G benchmarks. That would matter for smart city infrastructure, autonomous vehicles and drones, and critical systems like energy grids and emergency services, all of which depend on reliable, real-time sensing and communication. The team plans to feed its findings into European standards bodies, so the work could shape how future networks are built globally.
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Context: The ICON project is a cutting-edge research initiative focusing on Intelligent Spectrum Innovation for resilient Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) networks. This project responds to the growing need for advanced network technologies that integrate real-time environmental sensing with robust communication systems. As we move towards the 6G era, there is an urgent demand for resilient networks seamlessly integrating communications and sensing capabilities in the face of the challenges detailed in the proposal. Challenge: The ICON project addresses three major challenges in ISAC networks: Cost-Efficiency: Traditional cost-efficiency models used for the operational mobile networks cannot be adopted for including sensing capabilities, since the latter complicates spectrum management and increases energy dissipation. Our aim is to significantly reduce the cost-per-bit for RF sensing services, making them more affordable and scalable. Network Resilience: Ensuring both communication reliability and sensing accuracy in ISAC networks is complex. These networks must adapt to environmental changes, protect against threats, and recover swiftly from disruptions. We aim to develop strategies that ensure 99.99% operational uptime and halve the recovery time. Optimum Use of THz Spectrum: The THz band is capable of high-resolution sensing, given its abundance of bandwidth, but suffers from high propagation losses, hence eroding the power efficiency. Our goal is to identify the best THz bands and technologies to enhance performance and cost-efficiency. Advanced solutions will be researched on using novel and realistic ISAC channel propagation models at different frequencies and different operating environments. We plan to contribute our solutions to standard bodies such as ETSI through ISG (Industry Specification Groups) that we are already engaged with such as ISG ISAC, ISG RIS and ISG THz. Aims and Objectives: Accordingly, the ICON project has three core objectives: Minimize Cost-Per-Bit: Develop innovative solutions to reduce the cost of RF sensing services, achieving at least a tenfold improvement over current 5G benchmarks. Enhance Network Resilience: Improve the network’s resilience in support of flawless operation and prompt recovery even under adverse operating conditions. Optimize THz Spectrum Use: Identify and harness the most beneficial THz spectrum bands and conceive solutions for improving the sensing and communication performance. Potential Applications and Benefits: The advances delivered by this project will have significant impact across various domains: Smart Cities: Enhanced networking capabilities will support a smart infrastructure and public safety applications, contributing to safer and more efficient urban environments. Autonomous Systems: Improved sensing and communication will be crucial for the development of autonomous vehicles and drones. Critical Infrastructure: Robust ISAC networks will ensure reliable communication and sensing for critical sectors like energy, transportation, and emergency services. Economic Growth: The project will drive digital transformation, create new job opportunities, and foster innovation in next-generation technologies. By addressing these challenges with the aid of advanced technologies like Cell-Free MIMO, Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS), and AI-driven system-level optimization, the ICON project will pave the way for more resilient and cost-efficient ISAC networks. This UK-India collaboration leverages the strengths of both countries in order to advance global leadership in wireless technologies and contribute to sustainable technological development.
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