Multi-Functional Programmable Metasurfaces for 6G and Beyond
2025/12/07 by Gan, Xu, Mu, Xidong, Liu, Yuanwei +5
Engineering · Materials Science · #Advanced Wireless Communication Technologies #Metamaterials and Metasurfaces Applications #Advanced Antenna and Metasurface Technologies
paper · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2512.06693
Abstract
The sixth-generation and beyond (B6G) networks are envisioned to support advanced applications that demand high-speed communication, high-precision sensing, and high-performance computing. To underpin this multi-functional evolution, energy- and cost-efficient programmable metasurfaces (PMs) have emerged as a promising technology for dynamically manipulating electromagnetic waves. This paper provides a comprehensive survey of representative multi-functional PM paradigms, with a specific focus on achieving full-space communication coverage, ubiquitous sensing, as well as intelligent signal processing and computing. i) For simultaneously transmitting and reflecting surfaces (STARS)-enabled full-space communications, we elaborate on their operational protocols and pivotal applications in supporting efficient communications, physical layer security, unmanned aerial vehicle networks, and wireless power transfer. ii) For PM-underpinned ubiquitous sensing, we formulate the signal models for the PM-assisted architecture and systematically characterize its advantages in near-field and cooperative sensing, while transitioning to the PM-enabled transceiver architecture and demonstrating its superior performance in multi-band operations. iii) For advanced signal processing and computing, we explore the novel paradigm of stacked intelligent metasurfaces (SIMs), investigating their implementation in wave-domain analog processing and over-the-air mathematical computing. Finally, we identify key research challenges and envision future directions for multi-functional PMs towards B6G.
Citations
- Integrating Stacked Intelligent Metasurfaces and Power Control for Dynamic Edge Inference via Over-The-Air Neural Networks
- Efficient STAR-RIS Mode for Energy Minimization in WPT-FL Networks with NOMA
- Multi-RIS Deployment Optimization for mmWave ISAC Systems in Real-World Environments
- Stacked Intelligent Metasurfaces for Multi-Modal Semantic Communications
- Robust Full-Space Physical Layer Security for STAR-RIS-Aided Wireless Networks: Eavesdropper with Uncertain Location and Channel
- Hybrid Near-Field and Far-Field Localization with Multiple Holographic MIMO Surfaces
- Metasurfaces-Enabled Wave Computing for Future Wireless Systems: Opportunities and Challenges
- Aerial Active STAR-RIS-Aided IoT NOMA Networks
- STAR-RIS Assisted SWIPT Systems: Active or Passive?
- State of the Art on Stacked Intelligent Metasurfaces: Communication, Sensing and Computing in the Wave Domain
- Emerging Technologies in Intelligent Metasurfaces: Shaping the Future of Wireless Communications
- Multi-Functional RIS for a Multi-Functional System: Integrating Sensing, Communication, and Wireless Power Transfer
- Transmit Beamforming Design for ISAC with Stacked Intelligent Metasurfaces
- Joint Active and Passive Beamforming Design for IRS-aided MIMO ISAC Based on Sensing Mutual Information
- Near-Field Localization and Sensing with Large-Aperture Arrays: From Signal Modeling to Processing
- The Integrated Sensing and Communication Revolution for 6G: Vision, Techniques, and Applications
- STAR-RIS Aided Secure MIMO Communication Systems
- Energy Efficient Design of Active STAR-RIS-Aided SWIPT Systems
- Robust Resource Allocation for STAR-RIS Assisted SWIPT Systems
- Bayesian Learning for Double-RIS Aided ISAC Systems with Superimposed Pilots and Data
- Two-Dimensional Direction-of-Arrival Estimation Using Stacked Intelligent Metasurfaces
- A Survey on Integrated Sensing and Communication with Intelligent Metasurfaces: Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities
- Towards 6G MIMO: Massive Spatial Multiplexing, Dense Arrays, and Interplay Between Electromagnetics and Processing
- Multi-Passive/Active-IRS Enhanced Wireless Coverage: Deployment Optimization and Cost-Performance Trade-off
- STAR-RIS-Assisted-Full-Duplex Jamming Design for Secure Wireless Communications System
- Cooperative RIS and STAR-RIS assisted mMIMO Communication: Analysis and Optimization
- STAR-RIS Aided MISO SWIPT-NOMA System with Energy Buffer: Performance Analysis and Optimization
- STAR-RIS Enhanced Joint Physical Layer Security and Covert Communications for Multi-antenna mmWave Systems
- Intelligent Omni Surfaces assisted Integrated Multi Target Sensing and Multi User MIMO Communications
- NOMA for STAR-RIS Assisted UAV Networks
- Stacked Intelligent Metasurfaces for Efficient Holographic MIMO Communications in 6G
- Physical Layer Security for STAR-RIS-NOMA: A Stochastic Geometry Approach
- Target-Mounted Intelligent Reflecting Surface for Joint Location and Orientation Estimation
- Integrated Sensing and Communications with Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces
- Reconfigurable Intelligent Computational Surfaces: When Wave Propagation Control Meets Computing
- Beamforming in Integrated Sensing and Communication Systems with Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces
- Energy-Efficient Hybrid Beamforming for Multilayer RIS-Assisted Secure Integrated Terrestrial-Aerial Networks
- Active RIS Versus Passive RIS: Which Is Superior with the Same Power Budget?
- Edge Artificial Intelligence for 6G: Vision, Enabling Technologies, and Applications
- Edge Artificial Intelligence for 6G: Vision, Enabling Technologies, and Applications
- Semi-Passive 3D Positioning of Multiple RIS-Enabled Users
- Coverage Characterization of STAR-RIS Networks: NOMA and OMA
- Active Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface Aided Wireless Communications
- Position Location for Futuristic Cellular Communications -- 5G and Beyond
- Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces: Principles and Opportunities
- Smart Radio Environments Empowered by Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces: How it Works, State of Research, and Road Ahead
- Exploiting Randomly-located Blockages for Large-Scale Deployment of\n Intelligent Surfaces
- Wireless Communications Through Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces
- Optimal Design of Energy-Efficient Multi-User MIMO Systems: Is Massive\n MIMO the Answer?
Related