CSI-MAE: A Masked Autoencoder-based Channel Foundation Model

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Jiang, Jun, Ruan, Xiaolong, Xu, Shugong
Format: Preprint
Published: 2026
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author Jiang, Jun
Ruan, Xiaolong
Xu, Shugong
author_facet Jiang, Jun
Ruan, Xiaolong
Xu, Shugong
contents Self-Supervised Learning (SSL) has emerged as a key technique in machine learning, tackling challenges such as limited labeled data, high annotation costs, and variable wireless channel conditions. It is essential for developing Channel Foundation Models (CFMs), which extract latent features from channel state information (CSI) and adapt to different wireless settings. Yet, existing CFMs have notable drawbacks: heavy reliance on scenario-specific data hinders generalization, they focus on single/dual tasks, and lack zero-shot learning ability. In this paper, we propose CSI-MAE, a generalized CFM leveraging masked autoencoder for cross-scenario generalization. Trained on 3GPP channel model datasets, it integrates sensing and communication via CSI perception and generation, proven effective across diverse tasks. A lightweight decoder finetuning strategy cuts training costs while maintaining competitive performance. Under this approach, CSI-MAE matches or surpasses supervised models. With full-parameter finetuning, it achieves the state-of-the-art performance. Its exceptional zero-shot transferability also rivals supervised techniques in cross-scenario applications, driving wireless communication innovation.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2601_03789
institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle CSI-MAE: A Masked Autoencoder-based Channel Foundation Model
Jiang, Jun
Ruan, Xiaolong
Xu, Shugong
Signal Processing
Self-Supervised Learning (SSL) has emerged as a key technique in machine learning, tackling challenges such as limited labeled data, high annotation costs, and variable wireless channel conditions. It is essential for developing Channel Foundation Models (CFMs), which extract latent features from channel state information (CSI) and adapt to different wireless settings. Yet, existing CFMs have notable drawbacks: heavy reliance on scenario-specific data hinders generalization, they focus on single/dual tasks, and lack zero-shot learning ability. In this paper, we propose CSI-MAE, a generalized CFM leveraging masked autoencoder for cross-scenario generalization. Trained on 3GPP channel model datasets, it integrates sensing and communication via CSI perception and generation, proven effective across diverse tasks. A lightweight decoder finetuning strategy cuts training costs while maintaining competitive performance. Under this approach, CSI-MAE matches or surpasses supervised models. With full-parameter finetuning, it achieves the state-of-the-art performance. Its exceptional zero-shot transferability also rivals supervised techniques in cross-scenario applications, driving wireless communication innovation.
title CSI-MAE: A Masked Autoencoder-based Channel Foundation Model
topic Signal Processing
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2601.03789