Radio Localization and Mapping with Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces

TL;DR

This paper explores how reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs) can enhance radio localization and mapping in mmWave and THz frequencies by controlling wave propagation, addressing blockage issues and improving performance.

Contribution

It introduces the potential of RIS technology specifically for localization and mapping, highlighting benefits over traditional methods and discussing associated challenges.

Findings

RISs can significantly improve localization accuracy.

RISs reduce blockage effects in mmWave and THz frequencies.

Potential for energy-efficient and cost-effective localization solutions.

Abstract

5G radio at millimeter wave (mmWave) and beyond 5G concepts at 0.1-1 THz can exploit angle and delay measurements for localization, by the virtue of increased bandwidth and large antenna arrays but are limited in terms of blockage caused by obstacles. Reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs) are seen as a transformative technology that can control the physical propagation environment in which they are embedded by passively reflecting EM waves in preferred directions. Whereas such RISs have been mainly intended for communication purposes, RISs can have great benefits in terms of performance, energy consumption, and cost for localization and mapping. These benefits as well as associated challenges are the main topics of this paper.