Abstract:Deep learning-based channel state information (CSI) feedback has achieved empirical success in massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems. However, existing approaches largely rely on dense artificial neural networks (ANNs), whose computational overhead limits their practical applications. In this article, we exploit bio-inspired spiking neural networks (SNNs) for massive MIMO CSI feedback, referred to as SpikingCSINet, where both the feedback and the main network computations are implemented through spikes. To overcome the information bottleneck of binary spikes in high-dimensional reconstruction, we develop a progressive residual (PR) architecture that exploits the natural temporal dimension of SNNs, encoding successive residuals across time steps to enhance information compactness. Experiments on the COST 2100 benchmark show that SpikingCSINet attains a more favorable performance-efficiency tradeoff than lightweight convolutional baselines. Moreover, it achieves performance competitive with Transformer-based feedback while reducing energy consumption by over $93\%$.
Abstract:Low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite relays will significantly extend the coverage of mobile networks, enabling users in remote areas to transmit data of real-time events. Nevertheless, the limited power of user devices and the long distance to satellites lead to low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), which results in high error rates and frequent retransmissions, severely hindering the transmissions of high-dimensional data such as videos. In this paper, we propose a novel method to achieve high error tolerance in satellite-relay video transmissions using generative semantic communications (GSC). For the transmitter, we design and optimize a semantic encoder integrating a pre-trained video encoder with a low-density parity-check (LDPC) encoder, efficiently achieving generalizability and enabling forward error correction. For the receiver, we fine-tune a generative video model using an efficient in-context adaptation algorithm, enabling it to reconstruct videos from error-corrupted semantic information. Simulation results show that our method achieves 2.5 dB higher video peak SNR than conventional semantic communications at an error rate of 45%, and remains robust when the error rate exceeds 80%.
Abstract:Token-based semantic communication is promising for future wireless networks, as it can compact semantic tokens under very limited channel capacity. However, harsh wireless channels often cause missing tokens, leading to severe distortion that prevents reliable semantic recovery at the receiver. In this article, we propose a token encoding framework for robust semantic recovery (TokCode), which incurs no additional transmission overhead and supports plug-and-play deployment. For efficient token encoder optimization, we develop a sentence-semantic-guided foundation model adaptation algorithm (SFMA) that avoids costly end-to-end training. Based on simulation results on prompt-based generative image transmission, TokCode mitigates semantic distortion and can approach the performance upper-bound, even under harsh channels where 40% to 60% of tokens are randomly lost.
Abstract:Sensing and communication are fundamental enablers of next-generation networks. While communication technologies have advanced significantly, sensing remains limited to conventional parameter estimation and is far from fully explored. Motivated by these limitations, we propose semantic sensing (SemS), a novel framework that shifts the design objective from reconstruction fidelity to semantic effective recognition. Specifically, we mathematically formulate the interaction between transmit waveforms and semantic entities, thereby establishing SemS as a semantics-oriented transceiver design. Within this architecture, we leverage the information bottleneck (IB) principle as a theoretical criterion to derive a unified objective, guiding the sensing pipeline to maximize task-relevant information extraction. To practically solve this optimization problem, we develop a deep learning (DL)-based framework that jointly designs transmit waveform parameters and receiver representations. The framework is implemented in an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system, featuring a shared semantic encoder that employs a Gumbel-Softmax-based pilot selector to discretely mask task-irrelevant resources. At the receiver, we design distinct decoding architectures tailored to specific sensing objectives, comprising a 2D residual network (ResNet)-based classifier for target recognition and a correlation-driven 1D regression network for high-precision delay estimation. Numerical results demonstrate that the proposed semantic pilot design achieves superior classification accuracy and ranging precision compared to reconstruction-based baselines, particularly under constrained resource budgets.
Abstract:Decentralized federated learning (DFL) has emerged as a transformative server-free paradigm that enables collaborative learning over large-scale heterogeneous networks. However, it continues to face fundamental challenges, including data heterogeneity, restrictive assumptions for theoretical analysis, and degraded convergence when standard communication- or privacyenhancing techniques are applied. To overcome these drawbacks, this paper develops a novel algorithm, PaME (DFL by Partial Message Exchange). The central principle is to allow only randomly selected sparse coordinates to be exchanged between two neighbor nodes. Consequently, PaME achieves substantial reductions in communication costs while still preserving a high level of privacy, without sacrificing accuracy. Moreover, grounded in rigorous analysis, the algorithm is shown to converge at a linear rate under the gradient to be locally Lipschitz continuous and the communication matrix to be doubly stochastic. These two mild assumptions not only dispense with many restrictive conditions commonly imposed by existing DFL methods but also enables PaME to effectively address data heterogeneity. Furthermore, comprehensive numerical experiments demonstrate its superior performance compared with several representative decentralized learning algorithms.
Abstract:While distributed learning offers a new learning paradigm for distributed network with no central coordination, it is constrained by communication bottleneck between nodes. We develop a new event-triggered gossip framework for distributed learning to reduce inter-node communication overhead. The framework introduces an adaptive communication control mechanism that enables each node to autonomously decide in a fully decentralized fashion when to exchange model information with its neighbors based on local model deviations. We analyze the ergodic convergence of the proposed framework under noconvex objectives and interpret the convergence guarantees under different triggering conditions. Simulation results show that the proposed framework achieves substantially lower communication overhead than the state-of-the-art distributed learning methods, reducing cumulative point-to-point transmissions by \textbf{71.61\%} with only a marginal performance loss, compared with the conventional full-communication baseline.
Abstract:This tutorial-style overview article examines the fundamental principles and methods of robustness, using wireless sensing and communication (WSC) as the narrative and exemplifying framework. First, we formalize the conceptual and mathematical foundations of robustness, highlighting the interpretations and relations across robust statistics, optimization, and machine learning. Key techniques, such as robust estimation and testing, distributionally robust optimization, and regularized and adversary training, are investigated. Together, the costs of robustness in system design, for example, the compromised nominal performances and the extra computational burdens, are discussed. Second, we review recent robust signal processing solutions for WSC that address model mismatch, data scarcity, adversarial perturbation, and distributional shift. Specific applications include robust ranging-based localization, modality sensing, channel estimation, receive combining, waveform design, and federated learning. Through this effort, we aim to introduce the classical developments and recent advances in robustness theory to the general signal processing community, exemplifying how robust statistical, optimization, and machine learning approaches can address the uncertainties inherent in WSC systems.
Abstract:Particle filtering for target tracking using multi-input multi-output (MIMO) pulse-Doppler radars faces three long-standing obstacles: a) the absence of reliable likelihood models for raw radar data; b) the computational and statistical complications that arise when nuisance parameters (e.g., complex path gains) are augmented into state vectors; and c) the prohibitive computational burden of extracting noisy measurements of range, Doppler, and angles from snapshots. Motivated by an optimization-centric interpretation of Bayes' rule, this article addresses these challenges by proposing a new particle filtering framework that evaluates each hypothesized state using a tailored cost function, rather than relying on an explicit likelihood relation. The framework yields substantial reductions in both running time and tracking error compared to existing schemes. In addition, we examine the implementation of the proposed particle filter in MIMO orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) systems, aiming to equip modern communication infrastructure with integrated sensing and communications (ISAC) capabilities. Experiments suggest that MIMO-OFDM with pulse-Doppler processing holds considerable promise for ISAC, particularly when wide bandwidth, extended on-target time, and large antenna aperture are utilized.
Abstract:Future wireless networks are expected to be AI-empowered, making their performance highly dependent on the quality of training datasets. However, physical-layer entities often observe only partial wireless environments characterized by different power delay profiles. Federated learning is capable of addressing this limited observability, but often struggles with data heterogeneity. To tackle this challenge, we propose a neural collapse (NC) inspired deep supervised federated learning (NCDSFL) algorithm.
Abstract:The ever-growing power consumption of wireless communication systems necessitates more energy-efficient algorithms. This paper introduces SpikACom ({Spik}ing {A}daptive {Com}munication), a neuromorphic computing-based framework for power-intensive wireless communication tasks. SpikACom leverages brain-inspired spiking neural networks (SNNs) for efficient signal processing. It is designed for dynamic wireless environments, helping to mitigate catastrophic forgetting and facilitate adaptation to new circumstances. Moreover, SpikACom is customizable, allowing flexibly integration of domain knowledge to enhance it interpretability and efficacy. We validate its performance on fundamental wireless communication tasks, including task-oriented semantic communication, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) beamforming, and orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) channel estimation. The simulation results show that SpikACom significantly reduces power consumption while matching or exceeding the performance of conventional algorithms. This study highlights the potential of SNNs for enabling greener and smarter wireless communication systems.