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Tut9: 6G Wireless: Wireless Networks Empowered by Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces - VTC2020-Spring Antwerp

Tut9: 6G Wireless: Wireless Networks Empowered by Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces

Virtual Program Link: https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/2336365/B91F2EA61CD191C40F4C111D96B2511F

Instructor: Marco Di Renzo, CNRS & CentraleSupelec, France

Abstract: Small cells, massive MIMO, millimeter-wave communications are three fundamental technologies that will spearhead the emergence of 5G wireless networks – Their advantages are undeniable. The question is, however, whether these technologies will be sufficient to meet the requirements of future wireless networks that integrate communications, sensing, and computing in a single platform.

Wireless networks, in addition, are rapidly evolving towards a software-defined design paradigm, where every part of the network can be configured and controlled via software. In this optimization process, however, the wireless environment itself – the medium or channel – is generally assumed uncontrollable and often an impediment to be reckoned with. For example, signal attenuation limits the network connectivity, multi-path propagation results in fading phenomena, reflections and refractions from objects are a source of uncontrollable interference.

Recently, a new concept called reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs) has emerged wherein every environmental object is coated with man-made intelligent surfaces of configurable electromagnetic materials. These materials would contain integrated electronic circuits and software that enable control of the wireless medium. Thus, RISs enable telecommunication operators to sculpt the very medium that comprises the network. With the aid of RISs, wireless networks will not be designed anymore to adapt themselves to the environment, but the environment will become part of the optimization space. As such, RISs have the potential to fundamentally change how wireless networks are designed and usher in that hoped-for wireless future. But, RISs are not currently well-understood.

Instructor Biography

Marco Di Renzo
Bio: Marco Di Renzo was born in L’Aquila, Italy, in 1978. He received the Laurea (cum laude) and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from the University of L’Aquila, Italy, in 2003 and 2007, respectively, and the Habilitation a Diriger des Recherches (Doctor of Science) degree from University Paris-Sud, France, in 2013. Since 2010, he has been with the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), where he is a CNRS Research Director (CNRS Professor) in the Laboratory of Signals and Systems (L2S) of Paris-Saclay University – CNRS, CentraleSupelec, Univ Paris Sud, Paris, France. He serves as the Editor-in-Chief of IEEE Communications Letters, and as an Editor of IEEE Transactions on Communications, and IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications. He is a Distinguished Lecturer of the IEEE Vehicular Technology Society and IEEE Communications Society, and a Senior Member of the IEEE. He is a recipient of several awards, including the 2013 IEEE-COMSOC Best Young Researcher Award for Europe, Middle East and Africa, the 2013 NoE-NEWCOM# Best Paper Award, the 2014-2015 Royal Academy of Engineering Distinguished Visiting Fellowship, the 2015 IEEE Jack Neubauer Memorial Best System Paper Award, the 20152018 CNRS Award for Excellence in Research and Ph.D. Supervision, the 2016 MSCA Global Fellowship (declined), the 2017 SEE-IEEE Alain Glavieux Award, the 2018 IEEECOMSOC Young Professional in Academia Award, and 8 Best Paper Awards at IEEE conferences (2012 and 2014 IEEE CAMAD, 2013 IEEE VTC-Fall, 2014 IEEE ATC, 2015 IEEE ComManTel, 2017 IEEE SigTelCom, EAI 2018 INISCOM, IEEE ICC 2019). He is a highly cited researcher according to Clarivate Analytics (2019).