Integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) has attracted growing interest in sixth-generation (6G) and beyond wireless networks. The primary challenges faced by highly efficient ISAC include limited sensing and communication (S&C) coverage, constrained integration gain between S&C under weak channel correlations, and unknown performance boundaries. Intelligent reflecting/ refracting surfaces (IRSs) can effectively expand S&C coverage and control the degree of freedom of channels between the transmitters and receivers, thereby realizing increased integration gains. In this work, we first delve into the fundamental characteristics of IRS-empowered ISAC and innovative IRS-assisted sensing architectures. Then, we discuss various objectives for IRS channel control and deployment optimization in ISAC systems. Furthermore, the interplay between S&C in different deployment strategies is investigated, and some promising directions for IRS enhanced ISAC are outlined.

中文翻译：

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智能表面赋能集成传感与通信：从共存到互惠


集成传感和通信 (ISAC) 引起了人们对第六代 (6G) 及其他无线网络日益增长的兴趣。高效 ISAC 面临的主要挑战包括有限的传感和通信 (S&C) 覆盖范围、弱信道相关性下 S&C 之间的积分增益受限以及未知的性能边界。智能反射/折射表面（IRS）可以有效扩展S&C覆盖范围并控制发射机和接收机之间的通道自由度，从而实现增加的集成增益。在这项工作中，我们首先深入研究了 IRS 授权的 ISAC 和创新的 IRS 辅助传感架构的基本特征。然后，我们讨论 ISAC 系统中 IRS 信道控制和部署优化的各种目标。此外，还研究了不同部署策略中 S&C 之间的相互作用，并概述了 IRS 增强型 ISAC 的一些有前景的方向。