6G Flagship demo on D-band ISAC system receives IEEE Joint Best Demo Paper Award at JC&S 2026
A research demonstration developed at the University of Oulu has received the Joint Best Demo Paper Award at the 6th IEEE International Symposium on Joint Communications & Sensing (JC&S) in Ponte di Legno, Italy.
The awarded demo presented an integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) system operating in the D-band, combining high-frequency wireless communication with radio tomography imaging. The setup showed how one radio system can support both data transmission and environmental sensing, an approach relevant for future 6G systems where spectrum efficiency is critical.
“The significance of the demo lies in demonstrating a single sub-THz radio link that enables data communication and environmental sensing simultaneously, without active scanning. By using one continuous radio link for both functions, the work shows how ISAC systems can move beyond parallel or sequential sensing approaches, a key step for practical high-frequency sensing applications,” says Dr Praneeth Susarla, a member of the research team.
In discussions at the conference, the jury highlighted the clarity and practicality of the demonstration. They noted how the system achieved simultaneous communication and radio tomography imaging using a fixed line-of-sight link, avoiding the active high-accuracy electrical or mechanical scanning often associated with sub-THz sensing. The robustness of the remote setup, operated in real time from Oulu throughout the demo, was also cited as evidence of the system’s technical maturity.
The work was carried out within the 6G Flagship at the University of Oulu, with funding from the 6GESS TerWaTOMO proof-of-concept activities. The demo made use of experimental equipment located in Oulu, with the demonstration conducted remotely at the conference venue.
The research team included Dr Praneeth Susarla and Aprotim Paul, who also authored the demo paper, together with Naveeth Lafir and collaborators from the 6G Flagship programme Drs Siva Ariram, Ankit Regmi, Prof. Marko E. Leinonen, and Assist. Prof. Nuutti Tervo.
Alongside the award, the team received detailed technical feedback from the conference community that will inform further development of the system and future research directions. The Joint Best Demo Paper Award recognises demonstrations that combine technical depth with clear experimental validation. The jury cited the maturity of the prototype and its relevance to emerging high-frequency ISAC research.
Read the paper
