MIMO ISAC for High-Rate Communication and Accurate Situational Awareness in High-Mobility Scenarios

NSF Award Search · 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT · $360,000 · view on nsf.gov ↗

Abstract

This project addresses the growing demand for high-performance, compact, and energy-efficient wireless systems by advancing Dual Function Radar Communication technology. DFRC systems integrate communication and sensing capabilities into a single platform, reducing hardware redundancy, cost, and power consumption while enhancing spectral efficiency. The research is aimed at next-generation applications — including autonomous vehicles, satellite and UAV systems, and smart manufacturing — where both high-speed communication and high-resolution sensing are critical. The project tackles key challenges in these domains, particularly the efficient allocation of spectral resources and the mitigation of Doppler-induced performance degradation in high-mobility environments where traditional systems fall short. A novel Dual-Function Radar-Communication system is proposed to support high-mobility scenarios while efficiently utilizing bandwidth for both communication and sensing. The system features a monostatic multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) radar that transmits OTFS waveforms. Bandwidth efficiency is achieved by enabling Doppler-delay domain bins to be shared across transmit antennas. A low-complexity approach is introduced to obtain coarse target estimates within the aperture limits of the receive array. This research further leverages a key strength of MIMO radar: achieving spatial resolution beyond the receive array’s aperture through the use of a virtual array. Forming a v

Key facts

NSF award ID
2514270
Awardee
Rutgers University New Brunswick (NJ)
SAM.gov UEI
M1LVPE5GLSD9
PI
Athina P Petropulu
Primary program
01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
All programs
Wireless comm & sig processing
Estimated total
$360,000
Funds obligated
$360,000
Transaction type
Standard Grant
Period
09/01/2025 → 08/31/2028