An Integrated Sensing and Communication Architecture using Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces for 6G Wireless Networks

Reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS), known for their wave manipulation capability, are emerging as a key technology for future wireless networks, especially with the integration of sensing and communication (ISAC) functionalities. The proposed architecture based on RIS offers passive sensing and communication capabilities. It combines frequency-diverse compressed sensing and wide-angle beam-forming techniques to demonstrate dual functions: it can precisely detect passive objects and enhance wireless signals using quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM). Its precision in detecting passive objects comes with an error margin of less than 1.5 cm. In terms of wireless signal enhancement, the RIS boosts signals by 8 dB in the 15 to 21 GHz frequency range. Its dual functionality in precise passive detection and signal enhancement, these features make the RIS highly relevant for sixth-generation (6G) applications.