Enabling Integrated Communication and Sensing Using Reflectarray and Orbital Angular Momentum

This paper proposes a novel Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) metasurface designed to operate at 29.5 GHz. It leverages a Reflectarray Antenna (RA) capable of supporting dual functionalities-pencil beamforming for high-speed communication and Orbital Angular Momentum (OAM) beams for precise sensing. The communication aspect employs a pencil beam configuration to achieve high gain focused and directional transmission, while the OAM beam enables enhanced spatial resolution for sensing applications. Extensive simulations and lab measurements validate the superior performance of this single RA system, demonstrating improved gain and OAM beam purity metrics. This ISAC approach has the potential to reduce system complexity by 50% and energy consumption by 80% through a passive antenna design that facilitates both communication and sensing functionalities.