arXiv subjects

Junil Choi

Publications and source records attributed to Junil Choi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Demand-Aware Cooperative Transmission Design for Energy-Efficient LEO Satellite Networks

Low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite networks are envisioned as a promising solution for providing ubiquitous connectivity and narrowing the digital divide. The extensive footprint of LEO satellite constellations enables broad coverage, resulting in spatially non-uniform traffic demand across the serviced areas. Meanwhile, stringent on-board power constraints make power-intensive transmission architectures less attractive and motivate energy-efficient transmission strategies that effectively exploit scarce satellite network resources. To this end, this paper proposes a cooperative transmission framework that jointly accounts for non-uniform traffic demand and network-wide power consumption. Each LEO satellite integrates hybrid precoding (HPC), radio frequency (RF) chain activation, and hardware quantization, while user-equipment (UE)-centric satellite clusters are organized using statistical channel state information (sCSI) and traffic demands. A framework for joint optimization of cooperative transmission architecture and resource allocation is designed to maximize demand-aware energy efficiency (EE), resulting in a mixed-integer nonlinear program (MINLP) for which finding a globally optimal solution is generally intractable. Accordingly, a two-stage algorithm is developed under a distributed linear precoding structure, in which a modified cross-entropy (CE) method searches over discrete variables, while fractional programming is employed for transmit power allocation. Numerical results indicate that the proposed framework outperforms benchmark schemes while accounting for traffic demands and EE.

cs.IT↗

arXiv2026

Beam Training for RIS-Aided ISAC Systems

As a key technology for 6G, integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) is receiving considerable attention, and deploying a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) can enhance both communication performance and sensing capability of ISAC by providing additional degrees of freedom. In this paper, we investigate a beam training framework for RIS-aided ISAC systems where beam alignment for a communication user equipment (UE) is conducted while simultaneously detecting a single target through its echo signal. Using codebooks constructed according to the principles of the 5G standard, we propose a partial search procedure that achieves low training overhead and mathematically show that this strategy is sufficient to identify a suitable codeword combination to serve the UE. By applying the auxiliary beam pair method, the target's angle information from the perspectives of the base station and RIS is obtained. Then, a high-accuracy closed-form localization is proposed based on the angle estimates, and we further extend the proposed technique to multi-target localization scenarios. Numerical results highlight the advantages of the proposed technique in the ISAC context, showing that the training procedure can effectively find a codeword combination and that the target localization technique outperforms the benchmarks.

cs.IT↗

arXiv2026

System-Level Evaluation of LEO Satellite Communications Under Service-Driven Traffic Dynamics

As low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communications take shape on a global scale, system-level evaluation has become essential for a rigorous understanding of their performance characteristics. Most existing studies have relied on a full-buffer assumption, which obscures the heterogeneity and intermittency that characterize actual user equipment (UE) traffic. This article evaluates the performance of LEO satellite communications under realistic service conditions through the incorporation of non-full-buffer traffic models. To this end, we develop a system-level simulator that complies with the channel modeling and evaluation methodologies specified in 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) technical reports 38.811 and 38.821. Three key system-level performance metrics are considered: UE throughput, resource block (RB) allocation ratio, and packet delay, which are evaluated across 3GPP LEO satellite study cases under diverse traffic models. The throughput results characterize the distribution of achievable data rates, which delineates the practical operating boundaries of the system. The RB allocation analysis reveals patterns of resource consumption as UE density varies, which provides a quantitative basis for assessing system capability. Furthermore, the delay analysis characterizes latency behavior, which is of particular importance in satellite environments where substantial propagation delays are inherent and must be examined to ensure service feasibility. These evaluations provide a realistic performance outlook for non-full-buffer LEO satellite communications and provide insight into the user experience under practical operating conditions.

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arXiv2026

Efficient Upper Mid-Band Spectrum Sensing with Multiple Signals

Spectrum sensing is a fundamental problem in the upper mid-band, where spectrum resources are shared with incumbent systems. This paper considers frequency-domain occupancy estimation when the number of primary user signals, their bandwidths, and their signal-to-noise ratios are all unknown. We develop a generalized likelihood ratio test and a computationally efficient search procedure that combines binary search with dynamic programming to select the set of intervals maximizing the sum of log-likelihoods. The proposed method is validated through both simulation data and over-the-air experimental data using an upper mid-band software-defined radio (SDR), demonstrating its practical applicability.

eess.SP↗

arXiv2026

A Self-Calibrating SDR for High Fidelity Beam- and Null-forming Arrays

Null forming is increasingly essential in modern wireless systems for spectrum-sharing, anti-jamming, and covert communications in contested and congested environments. Achieving deep nulls, however, is far more demanding than conventional beam steering: nulls are intrinsically narrow, and even small phase, timing, or gain mismatches across RF chains can significantly degrade suppression. This work develops and validates a self-calibrating SDR architecture tailored for high-fidelity null forming using a compact reference transmitter directionally coupled to the antenna feeds. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the approach through simulation and experimental measurements on an SDR platform operating from 3.0 to 3.5GHz, a band of growing importance for Department of Defense spectrum-sharing initiatives.

eess.SP↗

arXiv2026

Knowledge Distillation for Collaborative Learning in Distributed Communications and Sensing

The rise of sixth generation (6G) wireless networks promises to deliver ultra-reliable, low-latency, and energy-efficient communications, sensing, and computing. However, traditional centralized artificial intelligence (AI) paradigms are ill-suited to the decentralized, resource-constrained, and dynamic nature of 6G ecosystems. This paper explores knowledge distillation (KD) and collaborative learning as promising techniques that enable the efficient and scalable deployment of lightweight AI models across distributed communications and sensing (C&S) nodes. We begin by providing an overview of KD and highlight the key strengths that make it particularly effective in distributed scenarios characterized by device heterogeneity, task diversity, and constrained resources. We then examine its role in fostering collective intelligence through collaborative learning between the central and distributed nodes via various knowledge distilling and deployment strategies. Finally, we present a systematic numerical study demonstrating that KD-empowered collaborative learning can effectively support lightweight AI models for multi-modal sensing-assisted beam tracking applications with substantial performance gains and complexity reduction.

eess.SP↗

arXiv2026

Joint Channel Estimation and Beamforming for Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface Aided MIMO Systems: Sparsity-Based Approach

Continuous efforts have been devoted to integrate millimeter wave (mmWave) and terahertz (THz) bands into future communication standards in order to overcome the bandwidth shortage problem and achieve high data rates, primarily through developing accompanying technologies that can overcome the severe propagation loss and blockage associated with increased carrier frequency. One of the most notable accompanying technologies is reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS), which uses a large number of low-cost passive reflecting elements to reconfigure the propagation environments for improved communication performance and coverage. Despite its numerous benefits, RIS can make channel estimation more difficult due to its lack of radio frequency (RF) chains that can perform baseband signal processing. In addition, the cascaded channel structure of RIS-aided communication systems, which differs from that in conventional systems, brings about significant challenges in both channel estimation and beamforming. In this paper, we propose the joint channel estimation and beamforming optimization algorithm for RIS-aided multiple-input multipleoutput (MIMO) communication systems. By carefully exploiting the angular sparsity of mmWave/THz channels, our proposed algorithm successfully designs the RIS matrices that not only facilitate the channel estimation process but also achieve the passive beamforming gain through increased channel capacity. Simulation results demonstrate that our proposed algorithm provides the systems of interest with significant improvement in spectral efficiency.

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arXiv2026

Efficient Solvers for Coupling-Aware Beamforming in Continuous Aperture Arrays

In continuous aperture arrays (CAPAs), careful consideration of the underlying physics is essential, among which electromagnetic (EM) mutual coupling plays a critical role in beamforming performance. Building on a physically consistent mutual coupling model, the beamforming design is formulated as a functional optimization whose optimality condition leads to a Fredholm integral equation. The incorporation of the coupling model, however, substantially increases computational complexity, necessitating efficient and accurate integral equation solvers. In this letter, we propose two efficient solvers: 1) a coordinate-transformation-based kernel approximation that preserves the operator structure while alleviating discretization demands, and 2) a direct lower-upper (LU)-based solver that stably handles the Nystr\"om-discretized system. Numerical results demonstrate improved accuracy and reduced computational overhead compared to conventional methods, with the LU-based solver emerging as an efficient and scalable solution for large-scale CAPA optimization via offline factorization.

cs.IT↗

arXiv2026

Hybrid Federated Learning for Noise-Robust Training

Federated learning (FL) and federated distillation (FD) are distributed learning paradigms that train UE models with enhanced privacy, each offering different trade-offs between noise robustness and learning speed. To mitigate their respective weaknesses, we propose a hybrid federated learning (HFL) framework in which each user equipment (UE) transmits either gradients or logits, and the base station (BS) selects the per-round weights of FL and FD updates. We derive convergence of HFL framework and introduce two methods to exploit degrees of freedom (DoF) in HFL, which are (i) adaptive UE clustering via Jenks optimization and (ii) adaptive weight selection via a damped Newton method. Numerical results show that HFL achieves superior test accuracy at low SNR when both DoF are exploited.

cs.LG↗

arXiv2026

Evolution of UE in Massive MIMO Systems for 6G: From Passive to Active

As wireless networks continue to evolve, stringent latency and reliability requirements and highly dynamic channels expose fundamental limitations of gNB-centric massive multiple-input multiple-output (mMIMO) architectures, motivating a rethinking of the user equipment (UE) role. In response, the UE is transitioning from a passive transceiver into an active entity that directly contributes to system-level performance. In this context, this article examines the evolving role of the UE in mMIMO systems during the transition from fifth-generation (5G) to sixth-generation (6G), bridging third generation partnership project (3GPP) standardization, device implementation, and architectural innovation. Through a chronological review of 3GPP Releases 15 to 19, we highlight the progression of UE functionalities from basic channel state information (CSI) reporting to artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML)-based CSI enhancement and UE-initiated beam management. We further examine key implementation challenges, including multi-panel UE (MPUE) architectures, on-device intelligent processing, and energy-efficient operation, and then discuss corresponding architectural innovations under practical constraints. Using digital-twin-based evaluations, we validate the impact of emerging UE-centric functionalities, illustrating that UE-initiated beam reporting improves throughput in realistic mobility scenarios, while a multi-panel architecture enhances link robustness compared with a single-panel UE.

cs.IT↗

arXiv2025

Analysis of Beam Misalignment Effect in Inter-Satellite FSO Links

Free-space optical (FSO) communication has emerged as a promising technology for inter-satellite links (ISLs) due to its high data rate, low power consumption, and reduced interference. However, the performance of inter-satellite FSO systems is highly sensitive to beam misalignment. While pointing-ahead angle (PAA) compensation is commonly employed, the effectiveness of PAA compensation depends on precise orbital knowledge and advanced alignment hardware, which are not always feasible in practice. To address this challenge, this paper investigates the impact of beam misalignment on inter-satellite FSO communication. We derive a closed-form expression for the cumulative distribution function (CDF) of the FSO channel under the joint jitter and misalignment-induced pointing error, and introduce a truncated CDF formulation with a bisection algorithm to efficiently compute outage probabilities with guaranteed convergence and minimal computational overhead. To make the analysis more practical, we quantify displacement based on orbital dynamics. Numerical results demonstrate that the proposed model closely matches Monte Carlo simulations, making the proposed model highly useful to design inter-satellite FSO systems in practice.

cs.IT↗

arXiv2025

Downlink Channel Estimation for mmWave Systems with Impulsive Interference

In this paper, we investigate a channel estimation problem in a downlink millimeter-wave (mmWave) multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system, which suffers from impulsive interference caused by hardware non-idealities or external disruptions. Specifically, impulsive interference presents a significant challenge to channel estimation due to its sporadic, unpredictable, and high-power nature. To tackle this issue, we develop a Bayesian channel estimation technique based on variational inference (VI) that leverages the sparsity of the mmWave channel in the angular domain and the intermittent nature of impulsive interference to minimize channel estimation errors. The proposed technique employs mean-field approximation to approximate posterior inference and integrates VI into the sparse Bayesian learning (SBL) framework. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed technique outperforms baselines in terms of channel estimation accuracy.

cs.IT↗

arXiv2025

Anomaly Detection-Based UE-Centric Inter-Cell Interference Suppression

The increasing spectral reuse can cause significant performance degradation due to interference from neighboring cells. In such scenarios, developing effective interference suppression schemes is necessary to improve overall system performance. To tackle this issue, we propose a novel user equipment-centric interference suppression scheme, which effectively detects inter-cell interference (ICI) and subsequently applies interference whitening to mitigate ICI. The proposed scheme, named Z-refined deep support vector data description, exploits a one-class classification-based anomaly detection technique. Numerical results verify that the proposed scheme outperforms various baselines in terms of interference detection performance with limited time or frequency resources for training and is comparable to the performance based on an ideal genie-aided interference suppression scheme. Furthermore, we demonstrate through test equipment experiments using a commercial fifth-generation modem chipset that the proposed scheme shows performance improvements across various 3rd generation partnership project standard channel environments, including tapped delay line-A, -B, and -C models.

cs.IT↗

arXiv2025

Task-Based Quantization for Channel Estimation in RIS Empowered MmWave Systems

In this paper, we investigate channel estimation for reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) empowered millimeter-wave (mmWave) multi-user single-input multiple-output communication systems using low-resolution quantization. Due to the high cost and power consumption of analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) in large antenna arrays and for wide signal bandwidths, designing mmWave systems with low-resolution ADCs is beneficial. To tackle this issue, we propose a channel estimation design using task-based quantization that considers the underlying hybrid analog and digital architecture in order to improve the system performance under finite bit-resolution constraints. Our goal is to accomplish a channel estimation task that minimizes the mean squared error distortion between the true and estimated channel. We develop two types of channel estimators: a cascaded channel estimator for an RIS with purely passive elements, and an estimator for the separate RIS-related channels that leverages additional information from a few semi-passive elements at the RIS capable of processing the received signals with radio frequency chains. Numerical results demonstrate that the proposed channel estimation designs exploiting task-based quantization outperform purely digital methods and can effectively approach the performance of a system with unlimited resolution ADCs. Furthermore, the proposed channel estimators are shown to be superior to baselines with small training overhead.

cs.IT↗

arXiv2025

A Bayesian Framework For Cascaded Channel Estimation in RIS-Aided mmWave Systems

In this paper, we investigate cascaded channel estimation for reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS)-aided millimeter-wave multi-user communication systems. Since the complex channel gains of the cascaded RIS channel are generally non-Gaussian, the use of the linear minimum mean squared error (LMMSE) estimator leads to inevitable performance degradation. To tackle this issue, we propose a variational inference-based framework that approximates the complex channel gains using a complex adaptive Laplace prior, which effectively captures their probability distributions in a tractable way. Numerical results demonstrate that the proposed estimator outperforms conventional estimators including least squares and LMMSE in terms of cascaded channel estimation error.

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arXiv2025

Multi-User SLNR-Based Precoding With Gold Nanoparticles in Vehicular VLC Systems

Visible spectrum is an emerging frontier in wireless communications for enhancing connectivity and safety in vehicular environments. The vehicular visible light communication (VVLC) system is a key feature in leveraging existing infrastructures, but it still has several critical challenges. Especially, VVLC channels are highly correlated due to the small gap between light emitting diodes (LEDs) in each headlight, making it difficult to increase data rates by spatial multiplexing. In this paper, we exploit recently synthesized gold nanoparticles (GNPs) to reduce the correlation between LEDs, i.e., the chiroptical properties of GNPs for differential absorption depending on the azimuth angle of incident light are used to mitigate the LED correlation. In addition, we adopt a signal-to-leakage-plus-noise ratio (SLNR)-based precoder to support multiple users. The ratio of RGB light sources in each LED also needs to be optimized to maximize the sum SLNR satisfying a white light constraint for illumination since the GNPs can vary the color of transmitted light by the differential absorption across wavelength. The nonconvex optimization problems for precoders and RGB ratios can be solved by the generalized Rayleigh quotient with the approximated shot noise and successive convex approximation (SCA). The simulation results show that the SLNR-based precoder with the optimized RGB ratios significantly improves the sum rate in a multi-user vehicular environment and the secrecy rate in a wiretapping scenario. The proposed SLNR-based precoding verifies that the decorrelation between LEDs and the RGB ratio optimization are essential to enhance the VVLC performance.

cs.IT↗

arXiv2025

Resilient LLM-Empowered Semantic MAC Protocols via Zero-Shot Adaptation and Knowledge Distillation

Neural network-based medium access control (MAC) protocol models (NPMs) improve goodput through site-specific operations but are vulnerable to shifts from their training network environments, such as changes in the number of user equipments (UEs) severely degrade goodput. To enhance resilience against such environmental shifts, we propose three novel semantic MAC protocol frameworks empowered by large language models (LLMs). First, we introduce a token-based protocol model (TPM), where an LLM generates MAC signaling messages. By editing LLM instruction prompts, TPM enables instant adaptation, which can be further enhanced by TextGrad, an LLM-based automated prompt optimizer. TPM inference is fast but coarse due to the lack of real interactions with the changed environment, and computationally intensive due to the large size of the LLM. To improve goodput and computation efficiency, we develop T2NPM, which transfers and augments TPM knowledge into an NPM via knowledge distillation (KD). Integrating TPM and T2NPM, we propose T3NPM, which employs TPM in the early phase and switches to T2NPM later. To optimize this phase switching, we design a novel metric of meta-resilience, which quantifies resilience to unknown target goodput after environmental shifts. Simulations corroborate that T3NPM achieves 20.56% higher meta-resilience than NPM with 19.8x lower computation cost than TPM in FLOPS.

cs.NI↗

arXiv2025

Robust Transmission Design for Active RIS-Aided Systems

Different from conventional passive reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs), incident signals and thermal noise can be amplified at active RISs. By exploiting the amplifying capability of active RISs, noticeable performance improvement can be expected when precise channel state information (CSI) is available. Since obtaining perfect CSI related to an RIS is difficult in practice, a robust transmission design is proposed in this paper to tackle the channel uncertainty issue, which will be more severe for active RIS-aided systems. To account for the worst-case scenario, the minimum achievable rate of each user is derived under a statistical CSI error model. Subsequently, an optimization problem is formulated to maximize the sum of the minimum achievable rate. Since the objective function is non-concave, the formulated problem is transformed into a tractable lower bound maximization problem, which is solved using an alternating optimization method. Numerical results show that the proposed robust design outperforms a baseline scheme that only exploits estimated CSI.

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