Assessing the Potential of Space-Time-Coding Metasurfaces for Sensing and Localization

Intelligent metasurfaces are one of the favorite technologies for integrating sixth-generation (6G) networks, especially the reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) that has been extensively researched in various applications. In this context, a feature that deserves further exploration is the frequency scattering that occurs when the elements are periodically switched, referred to as Space-Time-Coding metasurface (STCM) topology. This type of topology causes impairments to the established communication methods by generating undesirable interference both in frequency and space, which is worsened when using wideband signals. Nevertheless, it has the potential to bring forward useful features for sensing and localization. This work exploits STCM sensing capabilities in target detection, localization, and classification using narrowband downlink pilot signals at the base station (BS). The results of this novel approach reveal the ability to retrieve a scattering point (SP) localization within the sub-centimeter and sub-decimeter accuracy depending on the SP position in space. We also analyze the associated detection and classification probabilities, which show reliable detection performance in the whole analyzed environment. In contrast, the classification is bounded by physical constraints, and we conclude that this method presents a promising approach for future integrated sensing and communications (ISAC) protocols by providing a tool to perform sensing and localization services using legacy communication signals.

EMF Exposure Mitigation in RIS-Assisted Multi-Beam Communications

This paper proposes a method for reducing {third-party} exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) by exploiting the capability of a reconfigurable intelligent surfaces' (RIS) to manipulate the electromagnetic environment. We consider users capable of multi-beam communication, such that a user can use a set of different propagation paths enabled by the RIS. The optimization objective is to find propagation alternatives that allow to maintain the target quality of service while minimizing the level of EMF at surrounding non-intended users (NUEs). We provide an evolutionary heuristic solution based on Genetic Algorithm (GA) for power equalization and multi-beam selection of a codebook at the Base Station. Our results show valuable insights into how RIS-assisted multi-beam communications can mitigate EMF exposure with minimal degradation of the spectral efficiency.

LSTM-ACB-Based RA for IoT Mixed Traffic

A novel random access (RA) scheme for mixed URLLC-mMTC traffic scenario is proposed using realistic statistical models, with the use mode presenting long-term traffic regularity. The traffic is predicted by a long short-term memory neural network, which enables a traffic-aware resource slicing aided by contention access class barring-based procedure. The method combines a grant-free (GF) RA scheme with an intermediate step to congestion alleviation. The protocol trade-off is a small overhead while enabling a higher number of decoded received packets thanks to the intermediate step. Numerical results evaluate the system performance for each procedure and combined solution. A comparison with GF benchmark reveals substantial improvement in system performance.

LSTM-ACB-Based Random Access for Mixed Traffic IoT Networks

We propose a novel random access (RA) protocol that accounts for the network traffic in mixed URLLC-mMTC scenarios. By considering an IoT environment under high mMTC traffic demand, we model the traffic of each service using realistic statistical models, with the mMTC and URLLC use modes presenting a long-term traffic regularity. A long-short term memory (LSTM) neural network (NN) is used as a network traffic predictor, enabling a traffic-aware resource slicing (RS) scheme, aided by a contention access control barring (ACB)-based procedure. The proposed method combines a grant-based RA scheme, where it is introduced an intermediate step in grant-free RA, to deal with collisions. The protocol presents a small overhead, supporting a higher number of packets in a frame thanks to the congestion alleviation enabled by the ACB procedure. Numerical results show the effectiveness in combining the three procedures in terms of accuracy for traffic prediction, resource utilization and channel loading for RS, and increased throughput.% for the proposed LSTM-ACB-based RA protocol. The comparison with a grant-free benchmark reveals substantial improvement in system performance.