Redefining Wireless Networks

Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) represents a transformative evolution in wireless systems, merging communication functions with sensing capabilities to enable new levels of situational awareness, efficiency, and functionality. At the forefront of this innovation is the Communications Technology Laboratory (CTL) at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), which conducts cutting-edge research to advance ISAC technologies and standards. 

Radio Frequency Propagation Measurements and Modeling 

A foundational aspect of ISAC is the precise understanding of radio frequency (RF) propagation under complex environmental conditions. At NIST CTL, researchers are developing comprehensive RF measurement campaigns that span sub-6 GHz to millimeter-wave (mmWave) and even terahertz frequencies. These measurements are critical for characterizing how signals interact with real-world environments, bouncing off walls, diffracting around corners, and being absorbed by various materials. 

NIST CTL has specialized facilities, including reverberation chambers and testbeds, allow researchers to measure and analyze a range of propagation scenarios. These insights feed into advanced models used to simulate signal behavior in ISAC systems. The lab has produced validated propagation models that support system-level simulations for emerging wireless technologies. These models are particularly relevant for scenarios where joint communication and sensing must function reliably, such as in vehicular networks, indoor localization, and smart manufacturing environments. 

Contributions to ISAC Standards: Wi-Fi 802.11bf, ATIS/NGA, and 3GPP 

NIST CTL actively contributes to national and international standardization bodies to ensure that ISAC technologies are developed on solid, interoperable foundations. 

NIST CTL contributed to the IEEE 802.11bf standard, which is focused on enabling Wi-Fi-based sensing. This standard, approved in May 2025, aims to allow Wi-Fi devices to estimate distances, detect movement, and identify gestures using existing communication infrastructure. NIST researchers have supported the development of channel models and performance metrics that reflect realistic sensing conditions in homes, offices, and public spaces. 

NIST CTL is also an active member of the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS) Next G Alliance (NGA) ISAC working group. Within this group, NIST CTL contributes its technical expertise to white papers and technical reports that shape the North American long-term strategy for 6G systems. These contributions help define what metrics matter for ISAC performance and how interoperability can be achieved across heterogeneous devices and networks. 

In the global context, NIST participates in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), which governs cellular standards including 5G and upcoming 6G capabilities. The work at NIST CTL informs physical-layer and protocol specifications and helps identify sensing use cases that can be integrated into cellular frameworks, such as environmental monitoring, user tracking for enhanced mobility, and joint radar-communication applications for autonomous systems. 

Tools and Open Software for Physical and System-Level Evaluation 

Recognizing the need for accessible and reliable evaluation tools, NIST CTL has developed several open-source software platforms to facilitate ISAC research and prototyping. These tools allow researchers and industry partners to simulate and assess the performance of integrated systems from the physical layer up to system-level implementations. 

At the physical layer, the NIST CTL tools support waveform generation, beamforming algorithms, and channel emulation based on real-world propagation data. These capabilities are crucial for evaluating trade-offs between communication quality and sensing accuracy in constrained environments. 

On the system level, NIST has developed simulation frameworks that model end-to-end ISAC performance, including multi-node cooperation, latency analysis, and dynamic spectrum sharing. These tools are designed to be modular and interoperable with existing network simulators, enabling broad usage across academia and industry. 

The lab has a commitment to open science that is reflected in its release of datasets, calibration scripts, and test scenarios to promote reproducibility and community engagement. By fostering an ecosystem of shared tools and data, NIST CTL accelerates the development of practical ISAC solutions and informs policymaking with robust technical evidence.