Integrated Sensing and Communication in 6G: A Comprehensive Survey of Use Cases, Enabling Technologies, Standardization Roadmap, and Monetization Frameworks

Abstract

Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) is widely recognized as a defining feature of sixth-generation (6G) wireless networks, enabling base stations and network infrastructure to simultaneously transmit data and perceive their physical environment through radar-like sensing. This paper presents a comprehensive survey of ISAC for 6G, combining an industry-driven perspective from a major Communication Service Provider (CSP) with rigorous academic analysis. We first trace the evolution of ISAC from early radar–communication coexistence to the unified dual-function architectures envisioned for 6G, reviewing standardization milestones across 3GPP (Releases 19–21), ETSI ISG ISAC, ITU-R IMT-2030, IEEE 802.11bf, and the Next G Alliance. We then propose a novel multi-dimensional use case taxonomy that systematically classifies over 30 ISAC applications across eight vertical domains—industrial automation, transportation, drone/airspace management, smart cities, smart buildings, healthcare, immersive media, and network self-optimization—and ranks them using a weighted multi-criteria evaluation framework encompassing monetization potential, deployment volume, technical feasibility, and time-to-market. A dedicated comparative analysis benchmarks ISAC against alternative sensing technologies—including dedicated radar, LiDAR, camera/computer vision systems, ultrasonic sensors, and passive infrared detectors—across eight performance dimensions, clarifying their complementary and competitive relationships and identifying ISAC’s unique strategic positioning as a ubiquitous, low-marginal-cost sensing substrate in multi-modal architectures. The paper further surveys the key enabling technologies including high-frequency wideband waveforms, massive MIMO beamforming, reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS), AI/ML-driven signal processing, and full-duplex radio architectures. A dedicated analysis of monetization pathways for CSPs is presented, including Sensing-as-a-Service (SEaaS) API platforms, vertical market solutions, SLA-based network slicing, and premium consumer services, with quantified addressable market estimates for 2031–2035. We consolidate lessons from early pilot deployments, including 5G-based ISAC trials at airports and industrial sites, and present a phased deployment roadmap from 5G-Advanced through full 6G commercialization. Finally, we identify open research challenges and highlight future directions including AI-native ISAC, non-terrestrial network integration, and semantic sensing.