Covert Symbol Embedding via Chirp Signals for Integrated Sensing and Communications
Wireless research is increasingly moving toward Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC), which unifies radar and communication on a shared platform to improve spectral efficiency and reduce hardware costs. In this talk, we present a covert communication framework for Frequency-Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) radar systems that embeds binary symbols directly into the radar chirp. By selectively activating or suppressing transmissions at predefined time–frequency locations, information is encoded without disrupting core radar functionality. A synchronized receiver decodes the embedded bits based on energy detection, enabling low-overhead control signaling without requiring additional spectrum. The proposed scheme is compatible with existing FMCW hardware and introduces a stealthy communication layer with minimal impact on range estimation and resolution. Analytical and simulation results demonstrate reliable bit recovery, and a USRP-based software-defined radar prototype validates feasibility under practical SNR conditions. This work highlights covert embedding as a lightweight pathway toward practical ISAC systems for automotive, defense, and IoT applications.
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- Av. Eugenio Garza Sada 2501 Sur
- Col. Tecnologico
- Monterrey, Nuevo Leon
- Mexico 64849
Speakers
Shiwen of Auburn University
Integrated Sensing and Communications
Biography:
Shiwen Mao is a Professor and Earle C. Williams Eminent Scholar, and Director of the Wireless Engineering Research and Education Center at Auburn University. Dr. Mao's research interest includes wireless networks, multimedia communications, smart health, smart grid, and machine learning. He is a Distinguished Lecturer of IEEE Communications Society (ComSoc), IEEE Council of RFID (2021-2023), and IEEE Vehicular Technology Society (2014-2021), and a Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher (2025). He received the Publication Excellence Award of Auburn University's Samuel Ginn College of Engineering in 2025, the IEEE MMTC Outstanding Research Award in 2023, SEC 2023 Faculty Achievement Award for Auburn, IEEE ComSoc TC-CSR Distinguished Technical Achievement Award in 2019, Auburn University Creative Research & Scholarship Award in 2018, NSF CAREER Award in 2010, and several service awards from the IEEE. He is a co-recipient of the 2022 Best Journal Paper Award of IEEE ComSoc eHealth Technical Committee, the 2021 Best Paper Award of Elsevier/KeAi Digital Communications and Networks Journal, the 2021 IEEE Internet of Things Journal Best Paper Award, the 2021 IEEE Communications Society Outstanding Paper Award, the IEEE Vehicular Technology Society 2020 Jack Neubauer Memorial Award, the 2018 Best Journal Paper Award and the 2017 Best Conference Paper Award from IEEE ComSoc Multimedia Communications Technical Committee, and the 2004 IEEE Communications Society Leonard G. Abraham Prize in the Field of Communications Systems. He is a co-recipient of the Best Paper Awards from ICNC 2026, WCSP 2024, IEEE GLOBECOM 2023 (two), 2019, 2016, and 2015, IEEE ICC 2022 and 2013, and IEEE WCNC 2015, and the Best Demo Awards from IEEE INFOCOM 2024 and 2022, and IEEE SECON 2017. He is the Editor-in-Chief of IEEE Transactions on Cognitive Communications and Networking, a member-at-large of ComSoc Board of Governors (BOG, 2025-2027), ComSoc Director of Magazines (2026-2027), ComSoc Technical Committee Board Director (2022-2025), and the Vice President of Technical Activities of IEEE Council of RFID (2024-2027). He was the General Chair of IEEE INFOCOM 2022, a TPC Chair of IEEE INFOCOM 2018, and a TPC Vice-Chair of IEEE GLOBECOM 2022. He is a Fellow of IEEE and a life member of ACM.
Address:Auburn, Alabama, United States
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