Pathfinder · Harnessing multipath propagation in wireless networks: A meta-surface transformation of wireless networks into smart reconfigurable radio environments
Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2021-05-01 → 2023-04-30
- EU contribution
- €184,708
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MSCA-IF
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
Harnessing multipath propagation in wireless networks: A meta-surface transformation of wireless networks into smart reconfigurable radio environments
The project develops innovative designs for B5G (beyond 5G) and 6G cellular networks, compatible with the reconfigurable intelligent meta-surface (RIS) paradigm. This allows for the dynamic optimization of the wireless channels, and constitutes a turning point in the way we design wireless networks. In this course, the complementary nature of RISs with well entrenched wireless technologies such as Cognitive Radio Networks (CRNs), Long Range (LoRa) networks and Energy Harvesting techniques is investigated. The project also studies security engineering aspects of RIS where a signal initially reflected through objects to malicious eavesdroppers can be redirected through RISs only towards the intended users, demonstrating how this can be performed in practice. The main conclusion of the action is that the application of RISs has the potential of making future wireless networks sustainable and that it can readily complement key technologies of legacy 4G and 5G cellular networks (such as the aforementioned), paving the way for the advent of B5G and 6G networks.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
The long-term vision of Pathfinder is to kick-start a wireless 2.0 paradigm where wireless channels will adapt to the operation of cellular networks, allowing networks to overcome the inherent limitations imposed by wireless channels hitherto. In this course, Pathfinder builds upon the advancements in the area of electromagnetic meta-materials that can control and manipulate radio waves. This technology allows for designing and fabricating software reconfigurable intelligent meta-surfaces (RISs) that dynamically optimize the wireless channels in response to the dynamic behavior of radio waves, showing an unprecedented potential to control waves from within the wireless channels.This control allows for radio waves to circumvent physical obstacles, improving network coverage, while the phase alignment of RIS constituent elements can maximize the power at the receiver through constructive interference. This, can increase data-rates and reduce the transmit power. Furthermore, sensors and IoT devices can “recycle” and backscatter the ambient radio waves through RISs instead of generating their own, realizing the objective of smart, interconnected cities by employing passive elements that neither generate radio waves nor consume power to generate them.In this setup, the overarching objective of Pathfinder is to set the theoretical and algorithmic foundations of RIS enabled wireless 2.0 networks by deriving: (1) physics-inspired models for the RIS/radio wave interaction. (2) communication & information-theoretic models for RISs networks. (3) models for large-scale analysis of RIS networks. (4) algorithms for the design and optimization of RIS operation. (5) measurements for the experimental verification of the developed models and algorithms. The realization of these objectives can indeed transform wireless networks, driving the economic and intellectual growth of all European society, creating new jobs, increasing revenues and simplifying our lives.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS · ParisCoordinatorFrance
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union