Integrating sensing into communications in multi-functional networks

What will the future of wireless networks look like? Since the commercialization of 5G cellular networks, researchers from both academia and industry have been actively engaged in exploring this question. While there is no definitive answer, the consensus is that future cellular networks will not only improve and expand upon existing communication technologies but also embody a significant paradigm shift, acting as the driving force behind the intelligent world of the future. Creating an intelligent environment requires sensing functionality to become a fundamental service. Driven by the miniaturization of microwave components and advancements in modern signal processing, wireless sensors are being deployed, which are capable of detecting and responding to objective changes in their surrounding environments.