Integration of beyond Diagonal RIS and UAVs in 6G NTNs: Enhancing Aerial Connectivity

Aerial vehicle; Cost effective; Phase response; Reconfigurable; Response matrices; Surface architectures; Surface systems; Surface technology; Terrestrial networks; Vehicle communications; Computer Science Applications; Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Abstract :

[en] The reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) technology shows great potential in sixth-generation (6G) terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) since it can effectively change wireless settings to improve connectivity. Extensive research has been conducted on traditional RIS systems with diagonal phase response matrices. The straightforward RIS architecture, while cost-effective, has restricted capabilities in manipulating the wireless channels. The beyond diagonal reconfigurable intelligent surface (BD-RIS) greatly improves control over the wireless environment by utilizing interconnected phase response elements. This work proposes the integration of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) communications and BD-RIS in 6G NTNs, which has the potential to further enhance wireless coverage and spectral efficiency. We begin with the preliminaries of UAV communications and then discuss the fundamentals of BD-RIS technology. Subsequently, we discuss the potential of BD-RIS and UAV communications integration. We then propose a case study based on UAV-mounted transmissive BD-RIS communication. Finally, we highlight future research directions and conclude this work.

Disciplines :

Computer science

Author, co-author :

KHAN, Wali Ullah ; University of Luxembourg > Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust (SNT) > SigCom

LAGUNAS, Eva ; University of Luxembourg > Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust (SNT) > SigCom

MAHMOOD, Asad ; University of Luxembourg > Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust (SNT) > SigCom

Asif, Muhammad; Jiangsu University, China

Ahmed, Manzoor; Hubei Engineering University, China

CHATZINOTAS, Symeon ; University of Luxembourg > Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust (SNT) > SigCom

External co-authors :

yes

Language :

English

Title :

Integration of beyond Diagonal RIS and UAVs in 6G NTNs: Enhancing Aerial Connectivity

Publication date :

2025

Journal title :

IEEE Wireless Communications

ISSN :

1536-1284

eISSN :

1558-0687

Publisher :

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.

Volume :

Issue :

Pages :

56 - 63

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

Additional URL :

http://xplorestaging.ieee.org/ielx8/7742/11016233/11016276.pdf?arnumber=11016276

Available on ORBilu :

since 12 July 2025

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