Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface for Sensing, Communication, and Computation: Perspectives, Challenges, and Opportunities

TL;DR

This paper explores the integration of Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces into 6G networks to enhance sensing, communication, and computation capabilities, addressing key challenges and presenting promising application scenarios.

Contribution

It proposes an RIS-assisted ISCC framework that improves radar sensing, data transmission, and edge computing through cross-layer design and discusses future research directions.

Findings

RIS-assisted ISCC outperforms traditional methods in simulations

Enhanced coverage and data rates demonstrated in scenarios

Potential for improved UAV and IoV applications

Abstract

Forthcoming 6G networks have two predominant features of wide coverage and sufficient computation capability. To support the promising applications, Integrated Sensing, Communication, and Computation (ISCC) has been considered as a vital enabler by completing the computation of raw data to achieve accurate environmental sensing. To help the ISCC networks better support the comprehensive services of radar detection, data transmission and edge computing, Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface (RIS) can be employed to boost the transmission rate and the wireless coverage by smartly tuning the electromagnetic characteristics of the environment. In this article, we propose an RIS-assisted ISCC framework and exploit the RIS benefits for improving radar sensing, communication and computing functionalities via cross-layer design, while discussing the key challenges. Then, two generic application scenarios are presented, i.e., unmanned aerial vehicles and Internet of vehicles. Finally, numerical results demonstrate a superiority of RIS-assisted ISCC, followed by a range of future research directions.