A New Paradigm Towards Reconfigurable Environment: Reconfigurable Distributed Antennas and Reflecting Surface

2026-04-22

AI Summary

To meet the stringent demands of future wireless networks for enhanced coverage, spectral efficiency, and integrated sensing and communication (ISAC), this work proposes a Reconfigurable Distributed Antenna and Reflecting Surface (RDARS) hybrid architecture. RDARS pioneers a reconfigurable paradigm that synergistically integrates active distributed antennas with passive intelligent reflecting surfaces. By jointly designing the distributed active antenna arrays and reconfigurable intelligent surfaces, and incorporating a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) enhancement algorithm alongside a resource coordination mechanism, RDARS significantly outperforms conventional approaches in representative ISAC scenarios. The proposed architecture effectively improves SNR, coverage, and spectral efficiency while maintaining high energy efficiency and low deployment cost.

Technology Category

• Planning, Routing, and Scheduling: Optimization of Spatio-temporal Systems
• Search and Optimization: Mixed Discrete/Continuous Search
• Intelligent Robots: Multi-Robot Systems

Application Category

• Systems and Infrastructure for Web, Mobile and WoT: Web applications in cross-disciplinary domains and verticals such as mixed reality, smart cities, and digital health
• Search and Retrieval-Augmented AI: Efficiency and scalability of Web search engines
• Responsible Web: Data and user privacy-enhancing technologies for the Web

Abstract

Reconfigurable distributed antennas and reflecting surface (RDARS) has emerged as a transformative solution to address the stringent requirements of future wireless networks. By combining distributed active antennas with reconfigurable passive reflecting surfaces, RDARS integrates the advantages of both active transmission and passive wave control in a cost-effective and energy-efficient manner. This hybrid architecture enables enhanced coverage, improved spectral efficiency, and seamless support for integrated communication and sensing. In this article, we first introduce the fundamental architecture and working principles of RDARS, followed by practical benefits and comparisons with recently proposed intelligent surface variants. We then highlight the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) gains in representative applications of RDARS-aided communication and sensing scenarios, where RDARS demonstrates clear advantages over conventional reconfigurable intelligent surfaces. Finally, we outline key challenges related to practical implementation and resource allocation, and discuss potential research directions. With its unique hybrid mode synergy, RDARS is envisioned to play a pivotal role in shaping the evolution of next-generation intelligent communication systems.

Problem

• Reconfigurable Distributed Antennas
• Reflecting Surface
• Wireless Networks
• Spectral Efficiency
• Integrated Communication and Sensing

Innovation

• Reconfigurable Distributed Antennas
• Reflecting Surface
• Hybrid Architecture
• Integrated Sensing and Communication
• SNR Gain