Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces-Assisted Integrated Access and Backhaul

TL;DR

This paper investigates how reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs) can enhance coverage in integrated access and backhaul (IAB) networks, analyzing different deployment scenarios and their impact on service quality.

Contribution

It introduces a stochastic geometry model to evaluate RIS-assisted IAB networks, comparing with other solutions like repeaters, and explores design trade-offs and environmental effects.

Findings

RIS can improve coverage probability in IAB networks.

RIS deployment offers both benefits and challenges depending on environmental conditions.

Simulation results highlight potential for RIS to enhance network performance.

Abstract

In this paper, we study the impact of reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs) on the coverage extension of integrated access and backhaul (IAB) networks. Particularly, using a finite stochastic geometry model, with random distributions of user equipments (UEs) in a finite region, and planned hierachical architecture for IAB, we study the service coverage probability defined as the probability of the event that the UEs' minimum rate requirements are satisfied. We present comparisons between different cases including IAB-only, IAB assisted with RIS for backhaul as well as IAB assisted by network controlled repeaters (NCRs). Our investigations focus on wide-area IAB assisted with RIS through the lens of different design architectures and deployments, revealing both conflicts and synergies for minimizing the effect of tree foliage over seasonal changes. Our simulation results reveal both opportunities and challenges towards the implementation of RIS in IAB.