Outage and DMT Analysis of Partition-based Schemes for RIS-aided MIMO Fading Channels

In this paper, we investigate the performance of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) fading channels assisted by a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS), through the employment of partition-based RIS schemes. The proposed schemes are implemented without requiring any channel state information knowledge at the transmitter side; this characteristic makes them attractive for practical applications. In particular, the RIS elements are partitioned into sub-surfaces, which are periodically modified in an efficient way to assist the communication. Under this framework, we propose two low-complexity partition-based schemes, where each sub-surface is adjusted by following an amplitude-based or a phase-based approach. Specifically, the activate-reflect (AR) scheme activates each sub-surface consecutively, by changing the reflection amplitude of the corresponding elements. On the other hand, the flip-reflect (FR) scheme adjusts periodically the phase shift of the elements at each sub-surface. Through the sequential reconfiguration of each sub-surface, an equivalent parallel channel in the time domain is produced. We analyze the performance of each scheme in terms of outage probability and provide expressions for the achieved diversity-multiplexing tradeoff. Our results show that the asymptotic performance of the considered network under the partition-based schemes can be significantly enhanced in terms of diversity gain compared to the conventional case, where a single partition is considered. Moreover, the FR scheme always achieves the maximum multiplexing gain, while for the AR scheme this maximum gain can be achieved only under certain conditions with respect to the number of elements in each sub-surface.

Fluid Antenna-aided Full Duplex Communications: A Macroscopic Point-Of-View

The synergy of fluid-based reconfigurable antenna (FA) technology and full-duplex (FD) communications can be jointly beneficial, as FD can enhance the spectral efficiency of a point-to-point link, while the new degree of freedom offered by the FA technology can be exploited to handle the overall interference. Hence, in this paper, an analytical framework based on stochastic geometry is developed, aiming to assess both the outage and average sum-rate performance of large-scale FA-aided FD cellular networks. In contrast to existing studies, where perfect channel state information is assumed, the developed framework accurately captures the impact of channel estimation (CE) on the performance of the considered network deployments, as well as the existence of residual loop-interference (LI) at the FD transceivers. Particularly, we focus on a limited coherence interval scenario, where a novel sequential linear minimum-mean-squared-error-based CE method is performed for all FA ports and LI links, followed by data reception from the port with the strongest estimated channel. By using stochastic geometry tools, analytical expressions for the outage and the average sum-rate performance are derived. Our results reveal that FA-aided FD communications experience an improved average sum-rate performance of around 45\% compared to conventional FD communications.

Deep Learning Based Predictive Beamforming Design

This paper investigates deep learning techniques to predict transmit beamforming based on only historical channel data without current channel information in the multiuser multiple-input-single-output downlink. This will significantly reduce the channel estimation overhead and improve the spectrum efficiency especially in high-mobility vehicular communications. Specifically, we propose a joint learning framework that incorporates channel prediction and power optimization, and produces prediction for transmit beamforming directly. In addition, we propose to use the attention mechanism in the Long Short-Term Memory Recurrent Neural Networks to improve the accuracy of channel prediction. Simulation results using both a simple autoregressive process model and the more realistic 3GPP spatial channel model verify that our proposed predictive beamforming scheme can significantly improve the effective spectrum efficiency compared to traditional channel estimation and the method that separately predicts channel and then optimizes beamforming.

Fluid Antenna with Linear MMSE Channel Estimation for Large-Scale Cellular Networks

The concept of reconfigurable fluid antennas (FA) is a potential and promising solution to enhance the spectral efficiency of wireless communication networks. Despite their many advantages, FA-enabled communications have limitations as they require an enormous amount of spectral resources in order to select the most desirable position of the radiating element from a large number of prescribed locations. In this paper, we present an analytical framework for the outage performance of large-scale FA-enabled communications, where all user equipments (UEs) employ circular multi-FA array. In contrast to existing studies, which assume perfect channel state information, the developed framework accurately captures the channel estimation errors on the performance of the considered network deployments. In particular, we focus on the limited coherence interval scenario, where a novel sequential linear minimum mean-squared error (LMMSE)-based channel estimation method is performed for only a very small number of FA ports. Next, for the communication of each BS with its associated UE, a low-complexity port-selection technique is employed, where the port that provides the highest signal-to-interference-plus-noise-ratio is selected among the ports that are estimated to provide the strongest channel from each FA. By using stochastic geometry tools, we derive both analytical and closed-form expressions for the outage probability, highlighting the impact of channel estimation on the performance of FA-based UEs. Our results reveal the trade-off imposed between improving the network's performance and reducing the channel estimation quality, indicating new insights for the design of FA-enabled communications.

Global Optimization of Energy Efficiency in IRS-Aided Communication Systems via Robust IRS-Element Activation

In this paper, we study an intelligent reflecting surface (IRS) assisted communication system with single-antenna transmitter and receiver, under imperfect channel state information (CSI). More specifically, we deal with the robust selection of binary (on/off) states of the IRS elements in order to maximize the worst-case energy efficiency (EE), given a bounded CSI uncertainty, while satisfying a minimum signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The IRS phase shifts are adjusted so as to maximize the ideal SNR (i.e., without CSI error), based only on the estimated channels. First, we derive a closed-form expression of the worst-case SNR, and then formulate the robust (discrete) optimization problem. Moreover, we design and analyze a dynamic programming (DP) algorithm that is theoretically guaranteed to achieve the global maximum with polynomial complexity $O(L \log L)$, where $L$ is the number of IRS elements. Finally, numerical simulations confirm the theoretical results. In particular, the proposed algorithm shows identical performance with the exhaustive search, and significantly outperforms a baseline scheme, namely, the activation of all IRS elements.

Coverage Probability of STAR-RIS assisted Massive MIMO systems with Correlation and Phase Errors

In this paper, we investigate a simultaneous transmitting and reflecting reconfigurable intelligent surface (STAR-RIS) assisting a massive multiple-input multiple-output (mMIMO) system. In particular, we derive a closed-form expression for the coverage probability of a STAR-RIS assisted mMIMO system while accounting for correlated fading and phase-shift errors. Notably, the phase configuration takes place at every several coherence intervals by optimizing the coverage probability since the latter depends on statistical channel state information (CSI) in terms of large-scale statistics. As a result, we achieve a reduced complexity and overhead for the optimization of passive beamforming, which are increased in the case of STAR-RIS networks with instantaneous CSI. Numerical results corroborate our analysis, shed light on interesting properties such as the impact of the number of RIS elements and the effect of phase errors, along with affirming the superiority of STAR-RIS against reflective-only RIS.

On the Diversity and Coded Modulation Design of Fluid Antenna Systems

Reconfigurability is a desired characteristic of future communication networks. From a transceiver's standpoint, this can be materialized through the implementation of fluid antennas (FAs). An FA consists of a dielectric holder, in which a radiating liquid moves between pre-defined locations (called ports) that serve as the transceiver's antennas. Due to the nature of liquids, FAs can practically take any size and shape, making them both flexible and reconfigurable. In this paper, we deal with the outage probability of FAs under general fading channels, where a port is scheduled based on selection combining. An analytical framework is provided for the performance with and without estimation errors, as a result of post-scheduling delays. We show that although FAs achieve maximum diversity, this cannot be realized in the presence of delays. Hence, a linear prediction scheme is proposed that overcomes delays and restores the lost diversity by predicting the next scheduled port. Moreover, we design space-time coded modulations that exploit the FA's sequential operation with space-time rotations and code diversity. The derived expressions for the pairwise error probability and average word error rate give an accurate estimate of the performance. We illustrate that the proposed design attains maximum diversity, while keeping a low-complexity receiver, thereby confirming the feasibility of FAs.

On the Level Crossing Rate of Fluid Antenna Systems

Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology has significantly impacted wireless communication, by providing extraordinary performance gains. However, a minimum inter-antenna space constraint in MIMO systems does not allow its integration in devices with limited space. In this context, the concept of fluid antenna systems (FASs) appears to be a potent solution, where there is no such restriction. In this paper, we investigate the average level crossing rate (LCR) of such FASs. Specifically, we derive closed-form analytical expressions of the LCR of such systems and extensive Monte-Carlo simulations validate the proposed analytical framework. Moreover, we also demonstrate that under certain conditions, the LCR obtained coincides with that of a conventional selection combining-based receiver. Finally, the numerical results also provide insights regarding the selection of appropriate parameters that enhance the system performance.

Differential Chaos Shift Keying-based Wireless Power Transfer over a Frequency Selective Channel

This paper studies the performance of a differential chaos shift keying (DCSK)-based wireless power transfer (WPT) setup in a frequency selective scenario. Particularly, by taking into account the nonlinearities of the energy harvesting (EH) process and a generalized frequency selective Nakagami-m fading channel, we derive closed-form analytical expressions for the harvested energy in terms of the transmitted waveform and channel parameters. A simplified closed-form expression for the harvested energy is also obtained for a scenario, where the delay spread is negligible in comparison to the transmit symbol duration. Nontrivial design insights are provided, where it is shown how the power delay profile of the channel as well as the parameters of the transmitted waveform affect the EH performance. Our results show that a frequency selective channel is comparatively more beneficial for WPT compared to a flat fading scenario. However, a significant delay spread negatively impacts the energy transfer.

Joint IRS Location and Size Optimization in Multi-IRS Aided Two-Way Full-Duplex Communication Systems

Intelligent reflecting surfaces (IRSs) have emerged as a promising wireless technology for the dynamic configuration and control of electromagnetic waves, thus creating a smart (programmable) radio environment. In this context, we study a multi-IRS assisted two-way communication system consisting of two users that employ full-duplex (FD) technology. More specifically, we deal with the joint IRS location and size (i.e., the number of reflecting elements) optimization in order to minimize an upper bound of system outage probability under various constraints, namely, minimum and maximum number of reflecting elements per IRS, maximum number of installed IRSs, maximum total number of reflecting elements (implicit bound on the signaling overhead) as well as maximum total IRS installation cost. First, the problem is formulated as a discrete optimization problem and, then, a theoretical proof of its NP-hardness is given. Moreover, we provide a lower bound on the optimum value by solving a linear-programming relaxation (LPR) problem. Subsequently, we design two polynomial-time algorithms, a deterministic greedy algorithm and a randomized approximation algorithm, based on the LPR solution. The former is a heuristic method that always computes a feasible solution for which (a posteriori) performance guarantee can be provided. The latter achieves an approximate solution, using randomized rounding, with provable (a priori) probabilistic guarantees on the performance. Furthermore, extensive numerical simulations demonstrate the superiority of the proposed algorithms compared to the baseline schemes. Finally, useful conclusions regarding the comparison between FD and conventional half-duplex (HD) systems are also drawn.