Holographic MIMO Communications in Wireless Networks
Summary
Holographic multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communications denote a paradigm in which ultra-dense antenna arrays or continuous electromagnetic apertures are employed to exploit the full spatial degrees of freedom of the radio channel. By treating the transmitting and receiving surfaces as nearly continuous electromagnetic canvases, holographic MIMO systems can operate in both the radiative far-field and reactive near-field regions, thereby accessing additional propagation modes and enabling unprecedented spatial multiplexing gains. This approach promises to transcend the limitations of conventional discrete-element MIMO by harnessing evanescent and propagating waves alike, facilitating high-capacity links, precise localisation and sensing capabilities. Recent advances in electromagnetic modelling, digital signal processing and compact planar antenna technologies have brought holographic MIMO closer to practical realisation, with potential impact on 6G networks, wireless power transfer and secure communications. The global significance of this technology lies in its ability to deliver multi-gigabit throughput, enhanced energy efficiency and robust performance in densely populated environments.
Research from Nature Portfolio
No recent Nature Portfolio content available.
Holographic MIMO Communications in Wireless Networks publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in holographic mimo communications in wireless networks across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Holographic MIMO Communications: A communication paradigm employing continuous or ultra-dense antenna apertures to harness all spatial propagation modes for enhanced capacity and localisation.
Near-field: The region close to an electromagnetic aperture where evanescent waves and reactive coupling dominate, typically within a few wavelengths of the array.
Mutual Coupling: Electromagnetic interaction between closely spaced antenna elements that alters radiation patterns and impedance characteristics.
Degree of Freedom (DoF): The number of independent spatial channels available for multiplexing, determined by aperture geometry and propagation environment.
Wavenumber-Division Multiplexing (WDM): A scheme that uses orthogonal spatial Fourier modes to multiplex signals across a continuous electromagnetic aperture.
References
- Wavenumber-Division Multiplexing in Line-of-Sight Holographic MIMO Communications. IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications (2022).
- Effects of Mutual Coupling on Degree of Freedom and Antenna Efficiency in Holographic MIMO Communications. IEEE Open Journal of Antennas and Propagation (2023).
- Holographic MIMO Communications: What is the Benefit of Closely Spaced Antennas?. IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications (2024).
About these summaries
This Nature Research Intelligence Topic summary is created with the cited references and a large language model. We take care to ground generated text with facts, and have systems in place to gain human feedback on the overall quality of the process in line with our AI principles. We strive to create accurate and useful summaries for people unfamiliar with the research topic and that supports this goal. These pages are a beta release and will be updated as we learn how best to help people gain value from a research topic summary.
Turn complex research questions into confident strategic decisions
When you're under pressure to set direction, justify investment, or understand your competitive position, you need more than raw data — you need trusted insights you can act on.
Benchmark your performance against global peers using robust, methodologically sound analysis.
Combine quantitative metrics with qualitative expert insight to uncover strengths, gaps and emerging opportunities.
Gain tailored, decision-ready recommendations aligned to your strategic priorities.
Talk to us to learn more about our data dashboards and bespoke strategy reports.
Grow research skills, confidence and careers with training built for every stage of the research lifecycle.
Developed with Nature Portfolio journal Editors and internationally renowned experts. Discover three ways to learn:
Self-paced, online courses in convenient bite-sized units, covering key skills across scientific writing, publishing, grant writing, data analysis, and more.
Expert trainer-led workshops with hands-on exercises and real-time feedback across core research skills, delivered via interactive group sessions.
Editor-led workshops combining core principles in writing and publishing, personalised 1:1 feedback from Nature Portfolio Editors and hands-on exercises.
Explore course catalogues and workshop agendas, enquire about the options or request institutional pricing.