Fairness-Aware Beamforming for Polarimetric ISAC Systems with Polarization-Reconfigurable Antennas

Polarization diversity offers significant flexibility for enhancing integrated sensing and communications (ISAC). However, conventional dual-polarized arrays typically require dedicated radio-frequency (RF) chains for each polarization branch, leading to prohibitive hardware costs. To address this, polarization-reconfigurable (PR) antennas have emerged as a cost-effective alternative, enabling polarization flexibility with reduced hardware complexity by driving two polarization branches with a single RF chain. In this paper, we investigate fairness-aware beamforming for ISAC systems equipped with PR antennas. Specifically, we jointly optimize the transmit beamforming and PR control coefficients to maximize the minimum signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) for communication users and the minimum signal-to-clutter-plus-noise ratio (SCNR) for sensing targets. The resulting problem is highly nonconvex and nonsmooth due to the strong coupling among optimization variables in the max-min objective, as well as the nonconvex spherical constraints imposed by the PR antennas. To tackle this, we derive an equivalent smooth reformulation by introducing auxiliary variables and transforming the minimum operators into inequality constraints. Subsequently, we develop an exact-penalty product Riemannian manifold gradient descent (EP-PRMGD) algorithm, which integrates an exact penalty method with Riemannian optimization to guarantee convergence to a Karush-Kuhn-Tucker (KKT) point. Numerical results demonstrate that the proposed PR-enabled ISAC scheme achieves performance comparable to dual-polarized architectures while utilizing only half the RF chains, thereby validating its effectiveness in balancing fairness and hardware efficiency.

Subspace Fusion Sensing for Cooperative ISAC

This paper proposes a subspace fusion sensing algorithm for cooperative integrated sensing and communication. First, we stack the received signals from access points (APs) into a third-order tensor and construct the equivalent virtual antenna (EVA) array via tensor unfolding. Then, a data association-free subspace-based fusion sensing algorithm is developed utilizing the EVA arrays from distributed APs. A derivation of Cramer-Rao lower bound (CRLB) is also presented. Finally, simulation results validate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm compared to traditional techniques.

TokenCom: Vision-Language Model for Multimodal and Multitask Token Communications

Visual-Language Models (VLMs), with their strong capabilities in image and text understanding, offer a solid foundation for intelligent communications. However, their effectiveness is constrained by limited token granularity, overlong visual token sequences, and inadequate cross-modal alignment. To overcome these challenges, we propose TaiChi, a novel VLM framework designed for token communications. TaiChi adopts a dual-visual tokenizer architecture that processes both high- and low-resolution images to collaboratively capture pixel-level details and global conceptual features. A Bilateral Attention Network (BAN) is introduced to intelligently fuse multi-scale visual tokens, thereby enhancing visual understanding and producing compact visual tokens. In addition, a Kolmogorov Arnold Network (KAN)-based modality projector with learnable activation functions is employed to achieve precise nonlinear alignment from visual features to the text semantic space, thus minimizing information loss. Finally, TaiChi is integrated into a multimodal and multitask token communication system equipped with a joint VLM-channel coding scheme. Experimental results validate the superior performance of TaiChi, as well as the feasibility and effectiveness of the TaiChi-driven token communication system.

U-Net-Based Generative Joint Source-Channel Coding for Wireless Image Transmission

Deep learning (DL)-based joint source-channel coding (JSCC) methods have achieved remarkable success in wireless image transmission. However, these methods either focus on conventional distortion metrics that do not necessarily yield high perceptual quality or incur high computational complexity. In this paper, we propose two DL-based JSCC (DeepJSCC) methods that leverage deep generative architectures for wireless image transmission. Specifically, we propose G-UNet-JSCC, a scheme comprising an encoder and a U-Net-based generator serving as the decoder. Its skip connections enable multi-scale feature fusion to improve both pixel-level fidelity and perceptual quality of reconstructed images by integrating low- and high-level features. To further enhance pixel-level fidelity, the encoder and the U-Net-based decoder are jointly optimized using a weighted sum of structural similarity and mean-squared error (MSE) losses. Building upon G-UNet-JSCC, we further develop a DeepJSCC method called cGAN-JSCC, where the decoder is enhanced through adversarial training. In this scheme, we retain the encoder of G-UNet-JSCC and adversarially train the decoder's generator against a patch-based discriminator. cGAN-JSCC employs a two-stage training procedure. The outer stage trains the encoder and the decoder end-to-end using an MSE loss, while the inner stage adversarially trains the decoder's generator and the discriminator by minimizing a joint loss combining adversarial and distortion losses. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed methods achieve superior pixel-level fidelity and perceptual quality on both high- and low-resolution images. For low-resolution images, cGAN-JSCC achieves better reconstruction performance and greater robustness to channel variations than G-UNet-JSCC.

Theoretical and Empirical Study of Spatial Power Focusing Effect for Sparse Arrays at Terahertz Band

This work investigates the spatial power focusing effect for large-scale sparse arrays at terahertz (THz) band, combining theoretical analysis with experimental validation. Specifically, based on a Green's function channel model, we analyze the power distribution along the $z$-axis, deriving a closed-form expression to characterize the focusing effect. Furthermore, the factors influencing the focusing effect, including phase noise and positional deviations, are theoretically analyzed and numerically simulated. Finally, a 300 GHz measurement platform based on a vector network analyzer (VNA) is constructed for experimental validation. The measurement results demonstrate close consistence with theoretical simulation results, confirming the spatial power focusing effect for sparse arrays.

Enhancing Physical Layer Security in MIMO Systems Assisted by Beyond-Diagonal Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces

Reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs) hold significant promise for enhancing physical layer security (PLS). However, conventional RISs are typically modeled using diagonal scattering matrices, capturing only independent reflections from each reflecting element, which limits their flexibility in channel manipulation. In contrast, beyond-diagonal RISs (BD-RISs) employ non-diagonal scattering matrices enabled by active and tunable inter-element connections through a shared impedance network. This architecture significantly enhances channel shaping capabilities, creating new opportunities for advanced PLS techniques. This paper investigates PLS in a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system assisted by BD-RISs, where a multi-antenna transmitter sends confidential information to a multi-antenna legitimate user while a multi-antenna eavesdropper attempts interception. To maximize the secrecy rate (SR), we formulate it as a non-convex optimization problem by jointly optimizing the transmit beamforming and BD-RIS REs under power and structural constraints. To solve this problem, we first introduce an auxiliary variable to decouple BD-RIS constraints. We then propose a low-complexity penalty product Riemannian conjugate gradient descent (P-PRCGD) method, which combines the augmented Lagrangian (AL) approach with the product manifold gradient descent (PMGD) method to obtain a Karush-Kuhn-Tucker (KKT) solution. Simulation results confirm that BD-RIS-assisted systems significantly outperform conventional RIS-assisted systems in PLS performance.

A Two-Stage ISAC Framework for Low-Altitude Economy Based on 5G NR Signals

The evolution of next-generation wireless networks has spurred the vigorous development of the low-altitude economy (LAE). To support this emerging field while remaining compatible with existing network architectures, integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) based on 5G New Radio (NR) signals is regarded as a promising solution. However, merely leveraging standard 5G NR signals, such as the Synchronization Signal Block (SSB), presents fundamental limitations in sensing resolution. To address the issue, this paper proposes a two-stage coarse-to-fine sensing framework that utilizes standard 5G NR initial access signals augmented by a custom-designed sparse pilot structure (SPS) for high-precision unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) sensing. In Stage I, we first fuse information from the SSB, Type\#0-PDCCH, and system information block 1 (SIB1) to ensure the initial target detection. In Stage II, a refined estimation algorithm is introduced to overcome the resolution limitations of these signals. Inspired by the sparse array theory, this stage employs a novel SPS, which is inserted into resource blocks (RBs) within the CORSET\#0 bandwidth. To accurately extract the off-grid range and velocity parameters from these sparse pilots, we develop a corresponding high-resolution algorithm based on the weighted unwrapped phase (WUP) technique and the RELAX-based iterative method. Finally, the density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise (DBSCAN) algorithm is adopted to prune the redundant detections arising from beam overlap. Comprehensive simulation results demonstrate the superior estimation accuracy and computational efficiency of the proposed framework in comparison to other techniques.

Sensing-enabled Secure Rotatable Array System Enhanced by Multi-Layer Transmitting RIS

Programmable metasurfaces and adjustable antennas are promising technologies. The security of a rotatable array system is investigated in this paper. A dual-base-station (BS) architecture is adopted, in which the BSs collaboratively perform integrated sensing of the eavesdropper (the target) and communication tasks. To address the security challenge when the sensing target is located on the main communication link, the problem of maximizing the secrecy rate (SR) under sensing signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio requirements and discrete constraints is formulated. This problem involves the joint optimization of the array pose, the antenna distribution on the array surface, the multi-layer transmitting RIS phase matrices, and the beamforming matrices, which is non-convex. To solve this challenge, an two-stage online algorithm based on the generalized Rayleigh quotient and an offline algorithm based on the Multi-Agent Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient are proposed. Simulation results validate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms. Compared to conventional schemes without array pose adjustment, the proposed approach achieves approximately 22\% improvement in SR. Furthermore, array rotation provides higher performance gains than position changes.

Mutual Coupling Aware Channel Estimation for RIS-Aided Multi-User mmWave Systems

This paper proposes a three-stage uplink channel estimation protocol for reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS)-aided multi-user (MU) millimeter-wave (mmWave) multiple-input single-output (MISO) systems, where both the base station (BS) and the RIS are equipped with uniform planar arrays (UPAs). The proposed approach explicitly accounts for the mutual coupling (MC) effect, modeled via scattering parameter multiport network theory. In Stage~I, a dimension-reduced subspace-based method is proposed to estimate the common angle of arrival (AoA) at the BS using the received signals across all users. In Stage~II, MC-aware cascaded channel estimation is performed for a typical user. The equivalent measurement vectors for each cascaded path are extracted and the reference column is reconstructed using a compressed sensing (CS)-based approach. By leveraging the structure of the cascaded channel, the reference column is rearranged to estimate the AoA at the RIS, thereby reducing the computational complexity associated with estimating other columns. Additionally, the common angle of departure (AoD) at the RIS is also obtained in this stage, which significantly reduces the pilot overhead for estimating the cascaded channels of other users in Stage~III. The RIS phase shift training matrix is designed to optimize performance in the presence of MC and outperforms random phase scheme. Simulation results validate that the proposed method yields better performance than the MC-unaware and existing approaches in terms of estimation accuracy and pilot efficiency.

4D Imaging in ISAC Systems: A Framework Based on 5G NR Downlink Signals

Integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) has emerged as a key enabler for sixth-generation (6G) wireless networks, supporting spectrum sharing and hardware integration. Beyond communication enhancement, ISAC also enables high-accuracy environment reconstruction and imaging, which are crucial for applications such as autonomous driving and digital twins. This paper proposes a 4D imaging framework fully compliant with the 5G New Radio (NR) protocol, ensuring compatibility with cellular systems. Specifically, we develop an end-to-end processing chain that covers waveform generation, echo processing, and multi-BS point cloud fusion. Furthermore, we introduce Zoom-OMP, a coarse-to-fine sparse recovery algorithm for high-resolution angle estimation that achieves high accuracy with reduced computational cost. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed framework achieves robust 4D imaging performance with superior spatial accuracy and reconstruction quality compared to conventional benchmarks, paving the way for practical ISAC-enabled environment reconstruction in 6G networks.