Capacity-CRB Tradeoff in OFDM Integrated Sensing and Communication Systems

Abstract: Integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) has emerged as a key technology for future communication systems. In this paper, we provide a general framework to reveal the fundamental tradeoff between sensing and communication in OFDM systems, where a unified ISAC waveform is exploited to perform both tasks. In particular, we define the Capacity-Bayesian Cramer Rao Bound (BCRB) region in the asymptotically case when the number of subcarriers is large. Specifically, we show that the asymptotically optimal input distribution that achieves the Pareto boundary point of the Capacity-BCRB region is Gaussian and the entire Pareto boundary can be obtained by solving a convex power allocation problem. Moreover, we characterize the structure of the sensing-optimal power allocation in the asymptotically case. Finally, numerical simulations are conducted to verify the theoretical analysis and provide useful insights.