Total Control: From 5G to 6G

Mobile sixth-generation networks will serve as radar systems
capable of detecting "non-electronic targets." This is
indicated by documents from 3GPP and IEEE, and is discussed
in research conducted by Qualcomm, Ericsson, ZTE, and other
leading vendors. One of the key development directions for
such networks is the integration of sensing and
communication, known as ISAC – Integrated Sensing and
Communications. This concept involves utilizing the same
hardware and spectral resources simultaneously for data
transmission and environmental information gathering.
Starting from Release 19, 3GPP standards lay the groundwork
for implementing wireless sensing within mobile networks.
The anticipated 6G platform, expected by 2030, will be
initially designed with ISAC in mind, enabling a targeted
level of integration between the digital and physical
realms. Unlike traditional sensors, which require active
equipment on the object, wireless sensing will detect and
analyze objects without electronics - such as humans,
animals, obstacles, or even monitor weather conditions. This
technology is based on how radio signals reflect, scatter,
and attenuate when interacting with objects. Analyzing these
changes allows the system to obtain data about the object's
position, movement, shape, speed, and even material type. An
example of ISAC application could be detecting moving
objects, calculating their trajectories, and determining
their size. Additionally, with supplementary technical
means, it may be possible to distinguish "friend or enemy."
Various frequency ranges are employed for wireless sensing:
100 GHz – offering maximum resolution and the ability to
determine material types. Advanced algorithms for
beamforming, signal processing, and machine learning are
also used to enhance system accuracy and robustness. ISAC
and wireless sensing, in general, enable the collection of
extensive information about the environment: environmental
monitoring, weather prediction, object security, urban
condition control, digital twin creation, and more. For
instance, 5G is already used today for positioning (e.g., in
urban areas), but not for comprehensive space monitoring. If
5G is like a street-level camera, then 6G with ISAC is akin
to an X-ray scanner that can see through walls - capable of
tracking individuals without their consent (even without
smartphones). This could be achieved through automatic
profiling, such as gait or emotion recognition. While 5G
radar today requires powerful base stations, 6G-ISAC could
operate on standard towers with minimal modifications.
Although 5G employs beamforming, it is not optimized for
radar applications. 5G effectively detects large objects
(cars, drones), but 6G will be able to distinguish finer
details - such as people without phones, clothing types,
breathing rates, and more. If 5G can cause localized heating
of deep muscle tissues via beam radiation, 6G could induce
heating of materials on walls through which signals pass. If
this is not a dystopia, then what is a dystopia?