Smart Radio Frequency Sensing in Complex, Cluttered, and Dynamic Environments

Emerging applications in smart environments, autonomous systems, and the Internet of Things (IoT) are driving the need for advanced radio frequency (RF) sensing solutions that can operate reliably amidst complex and dynamic scenarios. Millimeter-wave (mmWave) and terahertz (THz) technologies unlock high-resolution possibilities for sensing, localization, and positioning, but also introduce significant challenges in accurate channel modeling and robust estimation due to propagation effects. Phenomena such as micro-Doppler signatures, the behavior of radio waves in cluttered or obstructed environments, and the integration of multi-sensor data are pivotal for improved situational awareness and target discrimination. To address these complexities, new approaches in signal processing, propagation modeling, and multi-modal integration are becoming essential for enabling intelligent, adaptive RF sensing systems in real-world conditions.

The primary goal of this Research Topic is to advance the development of smart RF sensing systems that can flourish in complex, cluttered, and rapidly evolving environments. Central challenges to be addressed include accurate channel modeling at mmWave and THz frequencies under non-line-of-sight and multipath conditions, and achieving robust sensing and localization performance where mobility, occlusions, and interference are prevalent. Further, it aims to foster precise estimation of micro-Doppler signatures for activity recognition and vital sign monitoring, along with reliable positioning and tracking within dense indoor and urban scenarios. Integrating propagation models with sensor fusion techniques is also crucial for enhancing situational awareness, while scalable RF sensing frameworks are needed for IoT applications with stringent power and computational limitations.

This Research Topic invites original research and review articles that focus on the latest RF sensing technologies for challenging, dynamic environments. Relevant themes and areas of interest include, but are not limited to:

- MmWave and THz sensing systems
- RF-based localization, positioning, and tracking
- Channel modeling and radio wave propagation in complex environments
- Micro-Doppler signature analysis for activity recognition and vital sign monitoring
- Signal estimation, reconstruction, and advanced signal processing techniques
- Integrated sensing and communications (ISAC)
- Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) and massive MIMO systems for sensing
- Datasets and benchmarks for wireless channel modeling

Authors are encouraged to submit work addressing both theoretical and practical advancements, including experimental validation, systems design, and real-world deployment. All submissions should clearly outline the problem addressed, present innovative solutions or comprehensive reviews, and highlight the broader impact on intelligent RF sensing applications.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Original Research
• Perspective
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: sensing, channel modeling, indoor environments, MmWave/THz propagation, radio wave propagation, MIMO communication, localization and positioning, estimation and optimization, micro-Doppler signatures, spectrogram, measurement campaign, sensor fusion

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.