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Stacked intelligent surfaces studied by UBC Okanagan researchers use layers of engineered materials to manipulate electromagnetic waves, process signals with lower energy consumption, and pave the way for more reliable, efficient, and secure 6G communications.
Stacked intelligent surfaces can make wireless communication stronger, clearer, and more secure in future 6G networks, based on a new approach investigated by UBC Okanagan researchers. The team led by Anas Chaaban from the School of Engineering is studying a way to improve electromagnetic wave processing more efficiently.
The research was recently published in IEEE Wireless Communications and presents a non-linear architecture for this type of technology. The proposal allows intelligent surfaces to process signals in a more complex way, bringing their operation closer to operations performed by artificial neural networks.
Layers manipulate electromagnetic waves
Stacked intelligent surfaces, known by the acronym SIS, emerge as an alternative to conventional wireless hardware. The technology uses layers of specially designed materials to directly manipulate electromagnetic waves during propagation.
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In this process, waves pass through surfaces formed by various elements. These components mimic neurons in a computerized neural network, slightly altering signals as they traverse the structure.
When the waves exit the surface, antennas capture the signals and send them to digital processors for further analysis. The difference from traditional systems lies in the possibility of processing signals in space itself, without relying solely on complex, high-energy-consumption circuits.
Intelligent surfaces gain non-linear behavior
The advance presented by the team is the inclusion of non-linear behavior in each element of the surface. Until now, most SIS designs used linear operations, capable of performing only relatively simple transformations on signals.
With the non-linear architecture, intelligent surfaces can perform tasks that linear systems cannot achieve. Omran Abbas, co-author of the study and a UBCO doctoral student, states that non-linearity unlocks a fundamentally new capability for these surfaces.
The idea of using SIS in this way is not new, but the non-linear elements extend the system’s intelligence to AI-like operations. In a wireless system simulation, the non-linear model demonstrated improved communication reliability and reduced symbol error rates compared to conventional designs.
Wireless security can also advance
The improvement occurs because the surface can create more complex wave patterns. These patterns are more resistant to noise and interference, two factors that affect wireless communication quality.
In addition to performance gains, the technology also shows potential to enhance network security. Non-linear transformations are more difficult to predict, which can make it harder for unauthorized receivers to intercept or decode signals.
Loïc Markley, co-investigator of the project, is working on the physical design of a non-linear unit cell for building a prototype. The team seeks to test theoretical predictions in a real environment, a step still necessary before validating practical deployments.
Technology still depends on new tests
Despite the potential, further research is still needed to confirm the performance of intelligent surfaces in real applications. The results indicate a still underexplored capability of non-linear intelligent surfaces as a tool for next-generation communication systems.
Chaaban states that the innovation can play an important role in future wireless technologies, including 6G communications. The group continues to analyze the ideas, investigate new avenues, and work on testing a non-linear SIS to improve reliability, efficiency, and security in next-generation networks.
Click here to access the study.
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