IEEE ICC 2026 Workshop on Multiple Access Techniques for Intelligent and Multi-functional 6G

SCOPE AND TOPICS OF INTEREST

Multiple access (MA) is fundamental to wireless communication systems, serving as the backbone for efficient multi-user connectivity through the strategic allocation of time, frequency, power, antenna, and code resources. As wireless networks rapidly evolve toward 6G—supporting integrated communication, sensing, localization, and computing, and further driven by advances in machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI)—MA technologies are poised to undergo profound transformation. 

This workshop is dedicated to the theory, design, optimization, and applications of MA in 6G-relevant scenarios. It will explore how emerging MA strategies can meet the escalating demands for high throughput, ultra-reliability, massive connectivity, and heterogeneous quality-of-service (QoS). A key focus will be on the role of AI in MA, encompassing both AI-driven MA optimization and MA as an enabler for distributed AI applications such as federated learning and over-the-air computation. Furthermore, the workshop will highlight the essential interplay between MA and integrated sensing and communication (ISAC), illustrating how MA can underpin truly multifunctional wireless systems.

The International Workshop on Multiple Access Techniques for Intelligent and Multi-functional 6G will take place during IEEE ICC 2026 in Glasgow, UK. The workshop will provide a forum for researchers and engineers from academia and industry to share the latest findings, discuss new ideas, and brainstorm future directions. We aim to foster discussions on potential MA frameworks that can tackle the numerous challenges of 6G and beyond.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to: 

• Theoretical foundations and performance analysis of advanced MA

• AI and machine learning for MA optimization, resource allocation, and receiver design

• MA for integrated sensing and communication (ISAC)

• MA for joint communication, sensing, and computing

• MA enabling distributed AI and federated learning

• Over-the-air computation via MA

• MA in reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS)-aided networks

• MA for cell-free massive MIMO and cooperative networks

• MA in non-terrestrial networks (NTN): UAV, satellite, and space-air-ground integrated networks

• MA for ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC) and massive machine-type communication (mMTC)

• MA in terahertz and millimeter-wave communications

• Cross-layer and PHY-MAC co-design for intelligent MA

• Semantic communication and semantic-aware MA

• Prototyping, implementation, and standardization perspectives on MA