Planning Mm-Wave Access Networks With Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces

Abstract

With the capability to support gigabit data rates, millimetre-wave (mm-Wave) communication is unanimously considered a key technology of future cellular networks. However, the harsh propagation at such high frequencies makes these networks quite susceptible to failures due to obstacle blockages. Recently introduced Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RISs) can enhance the coverage of mm-Wave communications by improving the received signal power and offering an alternative radio path when the direct link is interrupted. While several works have addressed this possibility from a communication standpoint, none of these has yet investigated the impact of RISs on large-scale mm-Wave networks. Aiming to fill this literature gap, we propose a new mathematical formulation of the coverage planning problem that includes RISs. Using well-established planning methods, we have developed a new optimization model where RISs can be installed alongside base stations to assist the communications, creating what we have defined as Smart Radio Connections. Our simulation campaigns show that RISs effectively increase both throughput and coverage of access networks, while further numerical results highlight additional benefits that the simplified scenarios analyzed by previous works could not reveal.

Boosting 5G mm-Wave IAB Reliability with Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces

“…Authors in [17] propose an analysis based on stochastic geometry to study the relationship between the density of RISes, network devices, obstacles and network availability. Some of the authors of this article propose in [18] a first optimization model to plan mm-Wave 5G RANs considering the RIS placement. This article extends the work by considering a different network architecture based on the IAB paradigm, the effect of obstacle blockages, and a new planning approach that leverages multi-connectivity and guarantees spatial diversity among access links.…”

“…This capability can be exploited at a network level to create a reflected radio path between a transmitter and a receiver, as RISes effectively behave as passive relays. The tuple comprising a transmitter, a receiver and an RIS assisting the communications is known as Smart Radio Connection (SRC) [18] and extends the well-known concept of Smart Radio Environment [19]. SRCs can thus naturally provide dual-connectivity, namely connecting the UE through multiple radio links, which is effective in reducing outages due to obstacle obstructions in mm-Wave access networks [2].…”