Towards Unified Wireless Systems: ISAC Technologies in the 6G Era

In this paper, integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) technology, which is of great importance for the next generation wireless communication technologies, has been examined as the studies on sixth generation (6G) communication have intensified in recent years. By combining wireless sensing and communication functions in a single system, ISAC offers an innovative approach to the issues that attract attention in 6G, such as hardware complexity and energy saving. The paper first examines the historical development of ISAC and then explains why ISAC is considered a key technology in 6G networks through its advantages. Then, the general architecture of the ISAC system is presented, and the structures in the architecture are explained. This review paper aims to provide a comprehensive perspective to researchers and industry professionals, emphasizing the critical role ISAC plays in 6G wireless networks.