Design Considerations and Propagation Properties Using an SDN-Controlled RIS for Wireless Backhauling

Arslan ME, Rezaei H, Yammine G, Heusinger P, Wu Y, Gerstacker W, Schober R, Franke N, Neumann N (2025)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2025

Journal

IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)

DOI: 10.1109/TAP.2025.3531639

Abstract

With the rising need for robustness and safety in 5G / 6G backhaul communication between radio units, the significance of reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS) becomes crucial. While several studies have addressed RIS application scenarios between radio unit and user equipment, there is currently a lack of published research on implementing RIS in a wireless backhaul system, strategically managed by a software-defined network (SDN). This paper investigates the factors that influence RIS realization and application, such as gain, far field, losses and communication metrics. Moreover, application and scaled-down demo scenarios are proposed: 2m × 2m for real-life backhaul applications, and 10cm × 10cm for the demo case operating at 28 GHz. The paper also explores application scenarios, including enhancing physical layer security, improving system resilience, and temporarily increasing capacity by deploying RIS in a wireless backhaul system. Additionally, the study explores the dynamic SDN aspects of controlling the entire wireless backhaul system, offering a comprehensive perspective on RIS integration. These findings underscore the importance of RIS in addressing key challenges in wireless communications.

Authors with CRIS profile

Yifei Wu Lehrstuhl für Digitale Übertragung (IDC) Wolfgang Gerstacker Lehrstuhl für Digitale Übertragung (IDC) Robert Schober Lehrstuhl für Digitale Übertragung (IDC)

Involved external institutions

Technische Universität Clausthal / Clausthal University of Technology DE Germany (DE) Fraunhofer-Institut für Integrierte Schaltungen (IIS) DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Arslan, M.E., Rezaei, H., Yammine, G., Heusinger, P., Wu, Y., Gerstacker, W.,... Neumann, N. (2025). Design Considerations and Propagation Properties Using an SDN-Controlled RIS for Wireless Backhauling. IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation. https://doi.org/10.1109/TAP.2025.3531639

MLA:

Arslan, Mehmet Emin, et al. "Design Considerations and Propagation Properties Using an SDN-Controlled RIS for Wireless Backhauling." IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation (2025).

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