可移动天线与智能反射面赋能低空通感融合网络:协同架构与关键技术

Low-Altitude Integrated Sensing and Communication Networks Enabled by Movable Antenna and Intelligent Reflecting Surface: Synergistic Architectures and Key Technologies

  • 摘要: 低空无人机网络凭借其按需部署的灵活性与独特的空中传感视角,是实现未来第六代移动通信从地面二维走向空地三维通感一体化(Integrated Sensing and Communication,ISAC)的关键平台,但其高效部署与性能提升面临着严峻挑战。这些挑战主要源于无人机平台的高移动性、复杂多变的无线传播环境,以及感知与通信功能之间固有的性能权衡。为应对这些挑战,本文提出一种创新的网络框架,该框架巧妙地协同了两种前沿技术:可移动天线(Movable Antenna,MA)与智能反射面(也称智能超表面,Intelligent Reflecting Surface,IRS),将它们作为重构无线环境的双重赋能器。在该框架下,MA通过主动式的收发机重构(如天线位置与姿态的灵活调整),而IRS通过被动式的信道重构(如对电磁波幅度和相位的智能调控),二者协同工作,能够显著增强整个ISAC系统的性能。首先,本文整体阐述了MA和IRS为ISAC网络带来的基础性增益,进而分别给出天线位置/姿态与IRS协同的两个简化系统模型与优化问题,并通过初步仿真验证“MA-IRS”协同架构所蕴含的巨大潜力。仿真结果表明该架构能够有效提升信号覆盖质量和系统总速率,并保证感知性能。随后,本文聚焦于无人机在低空ISAC网络中的两大核心部署场景:(1)无人机作为ISAC网络的用户终端。在此场景下,网络的主要目标是实现对无人机的高精度追踪,并保障低空安全。我们探讨了从非协作式目标到协作式目标的演进路径,分析了MA与IRS如何协同提升追踪精度和对抗潜在的安全威胁。(2)无人机作为ISAC网络的空中节点。在此场景下,我们聚焦于无人机在低空网络中扮演的多重角色,讨论如何将MA和IRS的不同配置方式与这些角色的功能相匹配,进而提出基于MA-IRS协同方案的新的应用范式或改进已有的应用。最后,本文针对上述两种核心场景,系统性地识别并分析了其中关键的技术挑战与未来的研究机遇,旨在为下一代先进低空ISAC网络的设计与实现,提供一个清晰、前瞻性的发展路线图和研究方向。

     

    Abstract: Leveraging flexibility for on-demand deployment and unique aerial sensing perspectives, low-altitude uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) networks serve as a key platform for transitioning future sixth-generation mobile communications from terrestrial two-dimensional to air-ground three-dimensional integrated sensing and communication (ISAC). However, their efficient deployment and performance enhancement face some formidable challenges. These challenges primarily stem from the high mobility of UAV platforms, complex and dynamic wireless propagation environments, and the inherent performance trade-offs between sensing and communication functions. To address these challenges, we propose an innovative network framework that synergistically leverages two cutting-edge technologies, including movable antennas (MAs) and intelligent reflecting surface (IRS, also known as reconfigurable intelligent surface, RIS), and position them as dual enablers to reconfigure the wireless environment. Within this framework, MA performs active transceiver reconfiguration through flexible adjustments of antenna position and orientation, while IRS conducts passive channel reconstruction via intelligent control over the amplitude and phase of electromagnetic waves. Working in synergy, these two technologies can significantly enhance the performance of the entire ISAC system. We begin by holistically elaborating on the fundamental gains that MA and IRS bring to ISAC networks, and subsequently present two simplified system models and optimization problems regarding the synergy of antenna position and orientation with IRS. We also describe how we validated the immense potential of the synergistic “MA-IRS” architecture through preliminary simulations. The simulation results indicate that this architecture can effectively improve signal coverage quality and system sum-rate while ensuring sensing performance. Subsequently, we focus on two core deployment scenarios for UAVs in low-altitude ISAC networks, including (1) UAVs as ISAC users and (2) as aerial network nodes. In the former scenario, the network’s primary objectives are to achieve high-precision tracking of UAVs and to ensure low-altitude safety. We explore the evolutionary path from non-cooperative to cooperative targets and analyze how MA and IRS can synergistically enhance tracking accuracy and counter potential security threats. In the latter scenario, we focus on the multiple roles played by UAVs in low-altitude networks and discuss how to match the diverse configuration modes of MA and IRS with the functions of these roles. Thus, we propose new application paradigms or improvements to existing applications based on the MA-IRS synergistic schemes. Finally, for each of these two core scenarios, we systematically identify and analyzes key technical challenges and avenues for future research. Overall, we aimed to provide a clear, forward-looking roadmap and describe emerging research directions for the design and implementation of advanced next-generation low-altitude ISAC networks.

     

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