Aerial Platforms with Reconfigurable Smart Surfaces for 5G and Beyond

Safwan Alfattani (1) , Wael Jaafar (2) , Yassine Hmamouche (3, 4) , Halim Yanikomeroglu (5) , Abbas Yongaçoglu (1) , Dũng Ðào (6) , Peiying Zhu (6)

1 University of Ottawa [Ottawa]
2 Carleton University
3 IMT Atlantique - MEE - Département Mathematical and Electrical Engineering
4 Lab-STICC_COSYDE - Equipe Communication System Design
5 Department of Systems and Computer Engineering, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada (Carleton University)
6 Huawei Technologies Canada

Aerial platforms are expected to deliver enhanced and seamless connectivity in the fifth generation (5G) wireless networks and beyond (B5G). This is generally achievable by supporting advanced onboard communication features embedded in heavy and energy-intensive equipment. Alternatively, reconfig-urable smart surfaces (RSS), which smartly exploit/recycle signal reflections in the environment, are increasingly being recognized as a new wireless communication paradigm to improve communication links. In fact, their reduced cost, low power use, light weight, and flexible deployment make them an attractive candidate for integration with 5G/B5G technologies. In this article, we discuss comprehensive approaches to the integration of RSS in aerial platforms. First, we present a review of RSS technology, its operations and types of communication. Next, we describe how RSS can be used in aerial platforms, and we propose a control architecture workflow. Then, several potential use cases are presented and discussed. Finally, associated research challenges are identified.

Domaines: Sciences de l'ingénieur [physics]

Safwan Alfattani, Wael Jaafar, Yassine Hmamouche, Halim Yanikomeroglu, Abbas Yongaçoglu, et al.. Aerial Platforms with Reconfigurable Smart Surfaces for 5G and Beyond. IEEE Communications Magazine, 2021, ⟨10.1109/MCOM.001.2000350⟩. ⟨hal-02979134⟩