Yang Miao

Bio: Yang Miao is an academic researcher from University of Twente. The author has contributed to research in topics: Computer science & MIMO. The author has an hindex of 6, co-authored 25 publications receiving 170 citations. Previous affiliations of Yang Miao include Southern University of Science and Technology & Université catholique de Louvain.

Convergent Communication, Sensing and Localization in 6G Systems: An Overview of Technologies, Opportunities and Challenges

Abstract: Herein, we focus on convergent 6G communication, localization and sensing systems by identifying key technology enablers, discussing their underlying challenges, implementation issues, and recommending potential solutions. Moreover, we discuss exciting new opportunities for integrated localization and sensing applications, which will disrupt traditional design principles and revolutionize the way we live, interact with our environment, and do business. Regarding potential enabling technologies, 6G will continue to develop towards even higher frequency ranges, wider bandwidths, and massive antenna arrays. In turn, this will enable sensing solutions with very fine range, Doppler, and angular resolutions, as well as localization to cm-level degree of accuracy. Besides, new materials, device types, and reconfigurable surfaces will allow network operators to reshape and control the electromagnetic response of the environment. At the same time, machine learning and artificial intelligence will leverage the unprecedented availability of data and computing resources to tackle the biggest and hardest problems in wireless communication systems. As a result, 6G will be truly intelligent wireless systems that will provide not only ubiquitous communication but also empower high accuracy localization and high-resolution sensing services. They will become the catalyst for this revolution by bringing about a unique new set of features and service capabilities, where localization and sensing will coexist with communication, continuously sharing the available resources in time, frequency, and space. This work concludes by highlighting foundational research challenges, as well as implications and opportunities related to privacy, security, and trust.

6G white paper on localization and sensing

Abstract: This white paper explores future localization and sensing opportunities for beyond 5G wireless communication systems by identifying key technology enablers and discussing their underlying challenges, implementation issues, and identifying potential solutions. In addition, we present exciting new opportunities for localization and sensing applications, which will disrupt traditional design principles and revolutionize the way we live, interact with our environment, and do business. Following the trend initiated in the 5G NR systems, 6G will continue to develop towards even higher frequency ranges, wider bandwidths, and massive antenna arrays. In turn, this will enable sensing solutions with very fine range, Doppler and angular resolutions, as well as localization to cm-level degree of accuracy. Moreover, new materials, device types, and reconfigurable surfaces will allow network operators to reshape and control the electromagnetic response of the environment. At the same time, machine learning and artificial intelligence will leverage the unprecedented availability of data and computing resources to tackle the biggest and hardest problems in wireless communication systems. 6G will be truly intelligent wireless systems that will not only provide ubiquitous communication but also empower high accuracy localization and high-resolution sensing services. They will become the catalyst for this revolution by bringing about a unique new set of features and service capabilities, where localization and sensing will coexist with communication, continuously sharing the available resources in time, frequency and space. This white paper concludes by highlighting foundational research challenges, as well as implications and opportunities related to privacy, security, and trust. Addressing these challenges will undoubtedly require an inter-disciplinary and concerted effort from the research community.

Antenna De-Embedding of Radio Propagation Channel With Truncated Modes in the Spherical Vector Wave Domain

Abstract: This paper proposes a novel approach to extracting the narrowband propagation channel from the communication link by de-embedding the impact of the antennas. In the proposed approach, the mode-to-mode mapping matrix $\bm{M}$ , which is the expression of the propagation channel in the spherical vector wave domain, is estimated by applying pseudo-inverse computation to the channel transfer functions with dedicated spherical arrays. The estimated $\bm{M}$ is truncated and only the dominant modes within the spatial bandwidth of the fields radiated from the finite volume of the spherical array are considered. Two types of spherical array are investigated: 1) an ideal array using tangential dipoles; and 2) a virtual array using dielectric resonator antenna (DRA). The ideal array is used for parameter investigation including the array radius and the spacing with regard to the size of $\bm{M}$ and the condition number of the excitation coefficient matrix, while the virtual DRA array is proposed as a practical implementation of the ideal array. The accuracy of the proposed approach has been validated numerically. The uncertainties of spherical array in practice, such as the influence of nonideally embedded array elements, cables, and fixtures, are considered in the validation. Moreover, the channel transfer functions reproduced by the de-embedded $\bm{M}$ are analyzed, given different target antennas at link ends. The gain and phase discrepancies as well as the antenna correlations of the reproduced channel transfer function are compared with the generated reference.

Reverberant Room-to-Room Radio Channel Prediction by Using Rays and Graphs

Abstract: This paper proposes a hybrid modeling approach for the prediction of the room-to-room radio propagation channel. The model combines ray tracing (RT) with the propagation graph (PG). The PG vertices are obtained at each room by RT with the assumption that the receive antenna (or transmit antenna) virtually locates on the surface of the separating wall between the two rooms. Rays transmitted from one room to the other through the separating wall are deterministically calculated by Snell’s law of refraction. Predictions by the proposed model are compared with the measurement data from an office-to-office scenario. The results show that the proposed modeling works with the simplest parameter settings, i.e., assuming no propagation from the room containing receive antenna to the room containing transmit antenna, RT applied separately in each room only involves mechanism of line of sight and first-order specular reflection.

Comparing Channel Emulation Algorithms by Using Plane Waves and Spherical Vector Waves in Multiprobe Anechoic Chamber Setups

Abstract: This paper evaluates the performances of channel emulation algorithms in the multiprobe anechoic chamber (MPAC) by using plane wave (PW) and spherical vector wave (SVW) theories. Channel emulation in MPAC enables the over-the-air (OTA) testing of performances of wireless devices under realistic propagation scenarios, through setting excitation voltages of probes and utilizing the polarized radiation patterns, locations, and orientations of probe antennas to emulate desired fields in test zone. Accurate emulation of radio wave propagation in target scenario guarantees that the device under test (DUT) be assessed fairly in the laboratory. Dynamic multipath scenario and orthogonal polarization can be emulated by exciting the multiple probes in such a way that the total fields from probes resemble the target impinging field in the test zone. The excitation voltages can be either calculated by PW or SVW theories. Despite the fact that PW and SVW are mathematically equal in the far field, different treatments on rotation and translation of waves as well as different linear equations used in two methods result in different computed voltages, hence, different emulated fields. The emulation performances of the two methods with different MPAC setups (e.g., test zone size, probe number, probe sphere radius, and probe directivity) are investigated. Both scenarios of the 2-D field emulation with the 2-D probe configuration and the 3-D (or 2.5-D) field emulation with the 3-D probe configuration are discussed, and instructions on how to wisely use the emulation algorithm are provided.

Intelligent Reflecting Surface-Aided Wireless Communications: A Tutorial

Abstract: Intelligent reflecting surface (IRS) is an enabling technology to engineer the radio signal propagation in wireless networks. By smartly tuning the signal reflection via a large number of low-cost passive reflecting elements, IRS is capable of dynamically altering wireless channels to enhance the communication performance. It is thus expected that the new IRS-aided hybrid wireless network comprising both active and passive components will be highly promising to achieve a sustainable capacity growth cost-effectively in the future. Despite its great potential, IRS faces new challenges to be efficiently integrated into wireless networks, such as reflection optimization, channel estimation, and deployment from communication design perspectives. In this paper, we provide a tutorial overview of IRS-aided wireless communications to address the above issues, and elaborate its reflection and channel models, hardware architecture and practical constraints, as well as various appealing applications in wireless networks. Moreover, we highlight important directions worthy of further investigation in future work.

From RSSI to CSI: Indoor Localization via Channel Response, A survey on indoor localization using PHY-layer information

Abstract: The spatial features of emitted wireless signals are the basis of location distinction and determination for wireless indoor localization. Available in mainstream wireless signal measurements, the Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) has been adopted in vast indoor localization systems. However, it suffers from dramatic performance degradation in complex situations due to multipath fading and temporal dynamics. Break-through techniques resort to finer-grained wireless channel measurement than RSSI. Different from RSSI, the PHY layer power feature, channel response, is able to discriminate multipath characteristics, and thus holds the potential for the convergence of accurate and pervasive indoor localization. Channel State Information (CSI, reflecting channel response in 802.11 a/g/n) has attracted many research efforts and some pioneer works have demonstrated submeter or even centimeter-level accuracy. In this article, we survey this new trend of channel response in localization. The differences between CSI and RSSI are highlighted with respect to network layering, time resolution, frequency resolution, stability, and accessibility. Furthermore, we investigate a large body of recent works and classify them overall into three categories according to how to use CSI. For each category, we emphasize the basic principles and address future directions of research in this new and largely open area.

Spherical near-field antenna measurements

Abstract: From the material presented here, it is clear that the theory underlying the SNF approach is complex and involved to implement. However, it is also very elegant and provides one with many measurement options and powerful capabilities. The numerical implementation of the theory can be efficiently deployed through the use of the fast Fourier transform (FFT) enabling transforms of even electrically large antennas to be accomplished in a matter of a few seconds on a modern powerful digital computer. With the advent of commercially available SNF test systems, the user can exploit these techniques, largely unimpeded by the burden of the theory or the implementation thereof. The material presented here highlighted some of the fundamental concepts and limitations the user needs to be aware of in order to use these test systems with confidence.

Survey on 6G Frontiers: Trends, Applications, Requirements, Technologies and Future Research

Abstract: Emerging applications such as Internet of Everything, Holographic Telepresence, collaborative robots, and space and deep-sea tourism are already highlighting the limitations of existing fifth-generation (5G) mobile networks. These limitations are in terms of data-rate, latency, reliability, availability, processing, connection density and global coverage, spanning over ground, underwater and space. The sixth-generation (6G) of mobile networks are expected to burgeon in the coming decade to address these limitations. The development of 6G vision, applications, technologies and standards has already become a popular research theme in academia and the industry. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive survey of the current developments towards 6G. We highlight the societal and technological trends that initiate the drive towards 6G. Emerging applications to realize the demands raised by 6G driving trends are discussed subsequently. We also elaborate the requirements that are necessary to realize the 6G applications. Then we present the key enabling technologies in detail. We also outline current research projects and activities including standardization efforts towards the development of 6G. Finally, we summarize lessons learned from state-of-the-art research and discuss technical challenges that would shed a new light on future research directions towards 6G.