Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces in Wireless Localization Systems
Summary
Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RISs) represent a transformative approach to shaping the propagation of radio-frequency signals in wireless networks. By deploying engineered meta-materials composed of subwavelength unit cells, RISs can dynamically adjust the phase, amplitude or polarisation of incident waves. In localisation systems, they serve as controllable reflectors or refractors that create virtual line-of-sight paths, mitigate multipath fading and enhance geometric diversity. This additional control over the radio environment introduces new degrees of freedom for positioning, enabling centimetre-level accuracy in both indoor and outdoor scenarios. RIS-assisted schemes can operate in concert with multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) transceivers or simple single-antenna access points, and they are compatible with orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) waveforms. Key benefits include improved robustness in non-line-of-sight conditions, reduced deployment costs compared with dense base station infrastructures and the capacity to integrate sensing and communication functions for next-generation networks. Current research addresses challenges in channel estimation, optimisation of surface configurations, algorithmic complexity and hardware impairments, while exploring novel RIS architectures such as simultaneously transmitting and reflecting surfaces for three-dimensional coverage.
Research from Nature Portfolio
No recent Nature Portfolio content available.
Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces in Wireless Localization Systems publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in reconfigurable intelligent surfaces in wireless localization systems across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface (RIS): A planar array of meta-material elements that can be electronically tuned to control electromagnetic wavefronts.
Meta-material: An artificially engineered material whose structure grants electromagnetic properties not found in natural substances.
Channel State Information (CSI): Detailed knowledge of the radio-frequency propagation channel, including path gains, delays and angles.
Angle of Arrival (AoA): The direction from which an electromagnetic wave reaches a receiver, typically measured in azimuth or elevation.
Time of Arrival (ToA): The time taken by a signal to travel from transmitter to receiver, used to infer range.
Monostatic Sensing: A sensing configuration in which transmission and reception occur at the same location or antenna, simplifying hardware.
References
- Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface-Assisted Localization: Technologies, Challenges, and the Road Ahead. IEEE Open Journal of the Communications Society (2023).
- Convergent Communication, Sensing and Localization in 6G Systems: An Overview of Technologies, Opportunities and Challenges. IEEE Access (2021).
- Channel Estimation and User Localization for IRS-Assisted MIMO-OFDM Systems. IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications (2021).
- STAR‐RIS‐enabled simultaneous indoor and outdoor 3D localisation: Theoretical analysis and algorithmic design. IET Signal Processing (2023).
- Reconfigurable intelligent surface-enabled integrated sensing and communication: a sensing-assisted communication framework. Frontiers in Communications and Networks (2023).
- Monostatic Sensing for Passive RIS Localization and Tracking. IEEE Wireless Communications Letters (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.