Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces: The Future of 5G

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The world is moving towards a new era in wireless communications, and Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS) are leading the way. ZTE, a top tech company, has introduced its second-generation RIS product, ‘RIS 2.0’, at MWC Shanghai in June 2023. This innovation brings big improvements in cost, power use, and reliability, setting the stage for widespread use soon.

ZTE’s RIS 2.0 has over 17,000 surface elements in one panel. It can create ultra-narrow beams for precise tracking of devices in the mmWave and mid-band spectrum¹. ZTE has also made RIS products for various needs, like better outdoor coverage and improved indoor-to-outdoor signal strength.

RIS technology is a game-changer because it makes the most of existing 5G sites without needing new ones. This cuts down on costs and boosts spectrum use¹. It also brings better coverage and capacity in areas with limited sight lines, changing how we experience wireless communications.

Key Takeaways

Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS) are transforming the landscape of 5G and future wireless communications.
ZTE’s RIS 2.0 product integrates over 17,000 surface elements, enabling precise beamforming and real-time device tracking.
RIS technology maximizes the utilization of existing 5G infrastructure, reducing deployment costs and enhancing spectrum efficiency.
RIS provides improved coverage and capacity in limited line-of-sight (LoS) areas, addressing key challenges in wireless communications.
Continued advancements in RIS technology promise a future of more energy-efficient, adaptive, and user-centric wireless networks.

Revolutionizing Wireless Communications

Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS) are changing the game in 5G-Advanced and 6G mobile networks. These surfaces use different hardware to work in many ways. They promise to change how we connect wirelessly in the 6G era².

RISs can make new channels, block or let through certain frequencies, and make communication better. They also save energy and improve sensing and imaging². Research on RIS is growing fast, aiming to change wireless tech, energy use, and more².

AI in 6G networks helps manage resources, reduce interference, and boost security³. 5G/6G testbeds are key for improving wireless tech. They test new ideas and make sure systems work together well³.

These testbeds have the latest tech like SDN and edge computing. They help networks work better and faster³. They also test how to make apps work well in 5G/6G networks³.

“Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces have the potential to revolutionize wireless communication, energy harvesting, sensing/imaging technologies, privacy, and security applications.”

Wireless tech needs to get faster and more reliable. Old methods are struggling to keep up². RISs might be the answer, making wireless networks much stronger².

RISs can also make energy harvesting more efficient and improve sensing and imaging. They can block or let through certain frequencies for better privacy and security².

As RIS research grows, we see more chances to change wireless tech, energy use, and more². Adding AI and other advanced tech makes RIS-enabled 6G networks even more powerful. This could start a new era in wireless communications³.

Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces: A Game-Changer

Reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS) have changed wireless communications, especially with 6G networks. These new structures can change electromagnetic waves. This makes them better at sending and receiving signals⁴.

RIS technology is great because it’s cheap, uses little power, and is reliable. It doesn’t need expensive parts, making it affordable⁴. You can put RIS on walls, billboards, and windows. This is cheaper and more efficient than old 5G systems⁴. Plus, RIS panels only need a little power, much less than old systems⁴.

RIS can make signals stronger and more secure by reflecting them towards users⁴. It can also follow users, keeping communication smooth. This is key for a good 6G experience⁴.

The design of RIS matters for how well it works. It can be set up in different ways to change how signals are sent⁴. As more devices need to talk to each other, edge computing becomes more important. This is where devices like GPUs and FPGAs help with fast and efficient AI⁴.

A white paper by Alberto Martín and others shows RIS’s big role in 6G⁴. RIS can make signals better, cover more area, and manage interference. It’s set to change wireless communications⁵.

“The advancement of RIS technology is explored in a white paper authored by Alberto Martín and other researchers, emphasizing its pivotal role in 6G communication systems.”⁴

Cutting-Edge Applications of RIS

Reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS) are changing wireless communications. They are key to 6G networks. RIS focuses on many areas like signal control and energy harvesting⁶.

RIS has advanced hardware. It includes units for signal processing and sensors. These parts help control electromagnetic waves for better signal quality⁶.

The RIS market is growing fast. It’s expected to reach USD XX.X billion by 2031. This growth is due to RIS’s global adoption⁷.

ZTE recently tested RIS in Thailand. They reached a 1.6Gbps downlink rate in a 400-meter office. RIS also improved streaming and virtual reality in China’s Asian Games Village⁶.

The XRifle Dynamic RIS will be shown at the 2024 EuMW Exhibition. It’s designed for 5G/6G networks. It promises to improve signal quality and reduce interference⁸.

The RIS revolution is just starting. It will bring many benefits like energy efficiency. RIS will make wireless connections better and more efficient⁶.

Experimental Setups and Open Problems

Recent experiments have shown how reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS) can change wireless communication⁹. RIS has caught the attention of many in the wireless field. It has shown promise in both 5G and future 6G networks⁹. Studies have shown its potential in real-world use, making it more valuable⁹.

But, there are still many challenges to overcome. Researchers are working on better hardware, algorithms, and integration with networks⁹. RIS can simplify wireless systems by directly modulating signals without extra devices⁹. It also improves communication quality by manipulating beams⁹.

Current RIS designs can affect signals outside their target range, causing problems⁹. They lack frequency selectivity, making them hard to use in real situations⁹. To fix this, a new design that filters specific frequencies has been proposed⁹.

A prototype of this filtering RIS has been made. It can select signals and change beams flexibly⁹. It works at 3.5 GHz, a key frequency for 5G⁹. The prototype shows great signal rejection and phase control⁹.

This RIS is more efficient than old systems, using less power and being simpler⁹. It was supported by the German government’s “6G LICRIS” project¹⁰. The project aims to make RIS more energy-efficient and affordable¹⁰.

Overcoming these challenges is key to unlocking RIS’s full potential.

“RIS technology is a potential solution to enhance network capacity and coverage in 6G networks.”¹⁰

ETSI ISG RIS has listed possible uses for RIS¹⁰. These include helping blind users, reducing interference, and improving security¹⁰. It can also be used on drones, for wireless charging, and in sensing and localization¹⁰.

6G aims for faster speeds, lower delays, and better energy use¹⁰.
It also wants to work well even in bad conditions for safety-critical apps¹⁰.

By tackling these issues, we can move towards the next big leap in wireless tech and 6G networks.

Conclusion

Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS) are changing wireless communications, from 5G to 6G and beyond¹¹. They use metamaterials and smart surfaces to control electromagnetic waves¹¹. This technology is making a big impact on how we send and receive signals¹¹.

Studies show RIS can make wireless networks better, use less energy, and be more flexible¹¹. They can help with things like beamforming and wireless power transfer¹²¹³. This means we’re moving towards smarter, more efficient wireless connections¹²¹³.

As RIS technology grows, we’ll see even more exciting developments¹¹. Expect improvements in terahertz communications and full-duplex radios¹¹. These advancements will lead to more efficient and powerful wireless systems, changing how we use technology¹¹.

FAQ

What is the Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface (RIS) 2.0 launched by ZTE?

ZTE, a leading tech company, has introduced the RIS 2.0 at MWC Shanghai in June 2023. This second generation of RIS offers better cost, power use, and reliability. It’s a big step towards making RIS widely used in the future.

What are the key features of ZTE’s dynamic RIS?

ZTE’s dynamic RIS has over 17,000 surface elements. It can create ultra-narrow beams for precise tracking across different spectrum bands. ZTE has also developed RIS products for various uses, like better outdoor coverage and improved indoor to outdoor signal strength.

How do Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS) benefit wireless communications?

RIS make the most of existing 5G sites, cutting down on costs and boosting spectrum use. They also enhance coverage and capacity in areas with limited line-of-sight. Thanks to meta-materials, RIS are cost-effective and energy-efficient.

What are the emerging applications of Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS)?

RIS are set to change wireless connectivity. They will be used in new ways like index and reflection modulation, and in integrated sensing and communications. They also have potential in aerial and vehicular networks.

What are the open problems and challenges in Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS)?

There are still many challenges to overcome with RIS. We need to improve hardware, develop better algorithms, and integrate RIS with current networks. Solving these issues will unlock RIS’s full potential and shape the future of wireless.