High-Resolution Multipath Angle Estimation Based on Power-Angle-Delay Profile for Directional Scanning Sounding

Directional scanning sounding (DSS) has become widely adopted for high-frequency channel measurements because it effectively compensates for severe path loss. However, the resolution of existing multipath component (MPC) angle estimation methods is constrained by the DSS angle sampling interval. Therefore, this communication proposes a high-resolution MPC angle estimation method based on power-angle-delay profile (PADP) for DSS. By exploiting the mapping relationship between the power difference of adjacent angles in the PADP and MPC offset angle, the resolution of MPC angle estimation is refined, significantly enhancing the accuracy of MPC angle and amplitude estimation without increasing measurement complexity. Numerical simulation results demonstrate that the proposed method reduces the mean squared estimation errors of angle and amplitude by one order of magnitude compared to traditional omnidirectional synthesis methods. Furthermore, the estimation errors approach the Cram\'er-Rao Lower Bounds (CRLBs) derived for wideband DSS, thereby validating its superior performance in MPC angle and amplitude estimation. Finally, experiments conducted in an indoor scenario at 37.5 GHz validate the excellent performance of the proposed method in practical applications.

AI-driven 6G Air Interface: Technical Usage Scenarios and Balanced Design Methodology

This paper systematically analyzes the typical application scenarios and key technical challenges of AI in 6G air interface transmission, covering important areas such as performance enhancement of single functional modules, joint optimization of multiple functional modules, and low-complexity solutions to complex mathematical problems. Innovatively, a three-dimensional joint optimization design criterion is proposed, which comprehensively considers AI capability, quality, and cost. By maximizing the ratio of multi-scenario communication capability to comprehensive cost, a triangular equilibrium is achieved, effectively addressing the lack of consideration for quality and cost dimensions in existing design criteria. The effectiveness of the proposed method is validated through multiple design examples, and the technical pathways and challenges for air interface AI standardization are thoroughly discussed. This provides significant references for the theoretical research and engineering practice of 6G air interface AI technology.

Movable Antenna-Aided Cooperative ISAC Network with Time Synchronization error and Imperfect CSI

Cooperative-integrated sensing and communication (C-ISAC) networks have emerged as promising solutions for communication and target sensing. However, imperfect channel state information (CSI) estimation and time synchronization (TS) errors degrade performance, affecting communication and sensing accuracy. This paper addresses these challenges {by employing} {movable antennas} (MAs) to enhance C-ISAC robustness. We analyze the impact of CSI errors on achievable rates and introduce a hybrid Cramer-Rao lower bound (HCRLB) to evaluate the effect of TS errors on target localization accuracy. Based on these models, we derive the worst-case achievable rate and sensing precision under such errors. We optimize cooperative beamforming, {base station (BS)} selection factor and MA position to minimize power consumption while ensuring accuracy. {We then propose a} constrained deep reinforcement learning (C-DRL) approach to solve this non-convex optimization problem, using a modified deep deterministic policy gradient (DDPG) algorithm with a Wolpertinger architecture for efficient training under complex constraints. {Simulation results show that the proposed method significantly improves system robustness against CSI and TS errors, where robustness mean reliable data transmission under poor channel conditions.} These findings demonstrate the potential of MA technology to reduce power consumption in imperfect CSI and TS environments.

Augmenting Channel Simulator and Semi- Supervised Learning for Efficient Indoor Positioning

This work aims to tackle the labor-intensive and resource-consuming task of indoor positioning by proposing an efficient approach. The proposed approach involves the introduction of a semi-supervised learning (SSL) with a biased teacher (SSLB) algorithm, which effectively utilizes both labeled and unlabeled channel data. To reduce measurement expenses, unlabeled data is generated using an updated channel simulator (UCHS), and then weighted by adaptive confidence values to simplify the tuning of hyperparameters. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed strategy achieves superior performance while minimizing measurement overhead and training expense compared to existing benchmarks, offering a valuable and practical solution for indoor positioning.

Approximate Angular Domain Expression for Near-Field XL-MIMO Channel

As Extremely Large-Scale Multiple-Input-Multiple-Output (XL-MIMO) technology advances and frequency band rises, the near-field effects in communication are intensifying. A concise and accurate near-field XL-MIMO channel model serves as the cornerstone for investigating the near-field effects. However, existing angular domain XL-MIMO channel models under near-field conditions require non-closed-form wave-number domain integrals for computation, which is complicated. To obtain a more succinct channel model, this paper introduces a closed-form approximate expression based on the principle of stationary phase. It was subsequently shown that when the scatterer distance is larger than the array aperture, the closed-form model can be further simplified as a trapezoidal spectrum. We validate the accuracy of the proposed approximation through simulations of power angular spectrum similarity. The results indicate that the proposed approximation can accurately approximate the near-field angular domain channel within the effective Rayleigh distance.

A dataset of primary nasopharyngeal carcinoma MRI with multi-modalities segmentation

Multi-modality magnetic resonance imaging data with various sequences facilitate the early diagnosis, tumor segmentation, and disease staging in the management of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The lack of publicly available, comprehensive datasets limits advancements in diagnosis, treatment planning, and the development of machine learning algorithms for NPC. Addressing this critical need, we introduce the first comprehensive NPC MRI dataset, encompassing MR axial imaging of 277 primary NPC patients. This dataset includes T1-weighted, T2-weighted, and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted sequences, totaling 831 scans. In addition to the corresponding clinical data, manually annotated and labeled segmentations by experienced radiologists offer high-quality data resources from untreated primary NPC.

Deterministic End-to-End Transmission to Optimize the Network Efficiency and Quality of Service: A Paradigm Shift in 6G

Toward end-to-end mobile service provision with optimized network efficiency and quality of service, tremendous efforts have been devoted in upgrading mobile applications, transport and internet networks, and wireless communication networks for many years. However, the inherent loose coordination between different layers in the end-to-end communication networks leads to unreliable data transmission with uncontrollable packet delay and packet error rate, and a terrible waste of network resources incurred for data re-transmission. In an attempt to shed some lights on how to tackle these challenges, design methodologies and some solutions for deterministic end-to-end transmission for 6G and beyond are presented, which will bring a paradigm shift to the end-to-end wireless communication networks.

From ORAN to Cell-Free RAN: Architecture, Performance Analysis, Testbeds and Trials

Open radio access network (ORAN) provides an open architecture to implement radio access network (RAN) of the fifth generation (5G) and beyond mobile communications. As a key technology for the evolution to the sixth generation (6G) systems, cell-free massive multiple-input multiple-output (CF-mMIMO) can effectively improve the spectrum efficiency, peak rate and reliability of wireless communication systems. Starting from scalable implementation of CF-mMIMO, we study a cell-free RAN (CF-RAN) under the ORAN architecture. Through theoretical analysis and numerical simulation, we investigate the uplink and downlink spectral efficiencies of CF-mMIMO with the new architecture. We then discuss the implementation issues of CF-RAN under ORAN architecture, including time-frequency synchronization and over-the-air reciprocity calibration, low layer splitting, deployment of ORAN radio units (O-RU), artificial intelligent based user associations. Finally, we present some representative experimental results for the uplink distributed reception and downlink coherent joint transmission of CF-RAN with commercial off-the-shelf O-RUs.