arXiv subjects

Panagiotis Gavriilidis

Publications and source records attributed to Panagiotis Gavriilidis.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Near-Field Beam Focusing Characterization for 2D Waveguide-Fed Metasurface Antennas

Two-dimensional (2D) waveguide-fed metasurfaces enable scalable antenna apertures through guided wave excitation of distributed radiating elements. However, the resulting non-uniform excitation challenges classical interpretations of near-field characteristics. Using a physics-compliant model, this paper analyzes the near-field beam focusing behavior of such architectures. We derive asymptotic scaling laws for the beamforming gain, showcasing that the power-normalized gain scales linearly with the number of radiating elements. Furthermore, we introduce a normalized beam-depth formulation and obtain a compact analytic expression that characterizes the transition to far-field-like behavior. The presented analysis is validated against simulations based on the full electromagnetic model, confirming the accuracy of the derived scaling laws and beam-depth limits.

eess.SP↗

arXiv2026

A Near-Field Compatible Model for 2D Waveguide-Fed Metasurfaces

This paper presents a novel physically consistent analytical model for two-dimensional (2D) waveguide-fed metasurface antennas that is based on the discrete dipole approximation. The proposed framework extends previous works deriving power-consistent constraints on the magnetic polarizability tensor, leading to closed-form expressions for the effective polarizabilities. The model is validated through full-wave simulations for multi-feed settings, and is extended to a near-field compatible~formulation enabling accurate predictions in the radiating near-field.

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arXiv2026

Robust Beamforming for Cell-Free Systems with Parallel-Plate-Waveguided Dynamic Metasurfaces

Dynamic Metasurface Antennas (DMAs) constitute a promising solution for extremely large antenna arrays, requiring lower power consumption and reduced hardware cost as compared to conventional phased arrays. In this paper, we consider a cell-free Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) system comprising multiple Base Stations (BSs) equipped with parallel-plate-waveguided DMAs, which aims to serve multiple users in the downlink direction. Focusing on a realistic frequency-selective model for the response-tunable elements of each DMA panel, and targeting to surpass the necessity of centralized designs that rely on a central processing unit with high computational power, we present a distributed optimization framework with minimal control information exchange for the frequency-selective analog and digital beamforming matrices of the multiple BSs, having the system spectral efficiency maximization as the design objective. Considering imperfect Channel State Information (CSI) availability at each BS, we devise a parallel decomposition framework for the configuration of the tunable parameters of each DMA-based BS. Our numerical results showcase the robustness of the proposed distributed beamforming design over different CSI conditions, and quantify the critical role of taking into account mutual coupling during the DMA design process.

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arXiv2026

2D Waveguide-Fed Metasurfaces: Physically Consistent Modeling, Validation, and Optimization

Antenna array architectures based on programmable metasurfaces are emerging as a promising solution for scalable implementations of the eXtremely Large Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (XL-MIMO) systems paradigm, envisioned for 6-th Generation (6G), and beyond, wireless networks. However, their accurate modeling, quantifying the role of key structural features, such as strong mutual coupling and guided-wave excitation, remains challenging, amplifying the need for physically consistent representations of the constituent metamaterial elements. In this paper, capitalizing on the coupled dipole formulation, we develop a comprehensive electromagnetics-compliant framework for 2-Dimensional (2D) waveguide-fed metasurface antennas. The proposed model extends relevant existing modeling approaches by incorporating both electric and magnetic dipoles' responses, accounting for multiple excitation feeds, and enabling accurate characterization in both the near- and far-field regimes. Radiation-reaction corrections based on passivity constraints are derived and shown to ensure the passivity of the overall dipole system. In addition, we present a novel input impedance model for the considered architecture enabling explicit computation of the accepted power, and facilitating efficient beamforming design under realistic power constraints. All modeling components developed in this paper are validated against full-wave electromagnetic simulations. Furthermore, the analytical structure of the proposed model enables the formulation of a differentiable beamforming design optimization problem over both the considered metasurface geometry and its feed excitations. The presented numerical results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed modeling framework in achieving both directive beamforming and sector-wide coverage.

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arXiv2025

Sensing-Aided Near-Field Beam Tracking

The interplay between large antenna apertures and high carrier frequencies in future wireless systems gives rise to near-field communications, where the curvature of spherical wavefronts renders traditional far-field beamforming models inadequate. This chapter addresses the following fundamental questions on near-field operation: (i) What is the maximum distance where far-field approximations remain effective for path gain prediction and beam design? (ii) What level of position resolution is needed for accurate near-field beam focusing? (iii) How frequently must channel state information be updated to maintain highly directive bweamforming in dynamic scenarios? We develop an analytical framework for assessing near-field beamforming gain degradation due to mismatches between the focusing point and the coordinates of a user. Closed-form expressions for beam correlation, beam sensitivity to user movement, and the direction of fastest beamforming gain degradation are derived. A dynamic polar coordinate grid is also proposed for low complexity and adaptive near-field beam search. Furthermore, we introduce the novel concept of beam coherence time, quantifying the temporal robustness of focused beams and enabling proactive sensing-aided beam tracking strategies. The effect of microstrip losses on the preceding derivations is also analyzed. Finally, extensive simulation results validate the presented theoretical analysis and beam tracking method over randomly generated user trajectories.

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arXiv2025

2D Waveguide-Fed Metasurface Antenna Arrays: Modeling and Optimization for Bistatic Sensing

This paper presents a physics-consistent framework for bistatic sensing incorporating a 2-Dimensional (2D) waveguide-fed metasurface antenna array capable of realizing eXtremely-Large Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (XL MIMO) apertures. A coupled-dipole model is presented that captures the array's mutual coupling due to both waveguide and free-space interactions, and a novel passivity constraint on the corresponding magnetic polarizabilities is proposed. Focusing on a bistatic sensing setup, we leverage a Neumann-series approximation of the array response model and derive the Cramer-Rao bound for multi-target parameter estimation, which is then incorporated into a sensing optimization formulation with respect to the metasurface's per-element resonance strength configuration. Simulation results on the position error bound in the radiative near field with the proposed design quantify the critical role of metamaterial placement in strongly coupled metasurface-based XL MIMO bistatic sensing systems.

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arXiv2025

MIMO Communications with 1-bit RIS: Asymptotic Analysis and Over-the-Air Channel Diagonalization

This paper presents an asymptotic analysis of Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) systems assisted by a 1-bit Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface (RIS) under Ricean fading conditions. Using random matrix theory, we show that, in the asymptotic regime, the dominant singular values and vectors of the transmitter-RIS and RIS-receiver channels converge to their deterministic Line-of-Sight (LoS) components, almost irrespective of the Ricean factors. This enables RIS phase configuration using only LoS information through a closed-form Sign Alignment (SA) rule that maximizes the channel gain. Furthermore, when the RIS is asymptotically larger than the transceiver arrays, proper RIS configuration can render the end-to-end MIMO channel in the capacity formula asymptotically diagonal, thereby eliminating inter-stream interference and enabling Over-The-Air (OTA) spatial multiplexing without channel knowledge at the transmitter. Building on this result, a waterfilling-inspired SA algorithm that allocates RIS elements to spatial streams, based on the asymptotic singular values and statistical channel parameters, is proposed. Simulation results validate the theoretical analyses, demonstrating that the proposed schemes achieve performance comparable to conventional Riemannian manifold optimization, but with orders of magnitude lower runtime.

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arXiv2025

Active RISs: Modeling and Optimization

Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS)-empowered communication has emerged as a transformative technology for next generation wireless networks, enabling the programmable shaping of the propagation environment. However, conventional RISs are fundamentally limited by the double path loss effect, which severely attenuates the reflected signals. To overcome this, active RIS architectures, capable of amplifying impinging signals, have been proposed. This chapter investigates the modeling, performance analysis, and optimization of active RISs, focusing on two hardware designs: a dual-RIS structure with a single Power Amplifier (PA), and a reflection amplification structure at the unit cell level using tunnel diodes. For the PA-based design, a comprehensive mathematical model is developed, and closed-form expressions for the received signal-to-noise ratio, bit error probability, and Energy Efficiency (EE) are derived. An optimization framework for configuring the phase shifts and amplifier gain is proposed to maximize system capacity under power constraints. Regarding the second design, the integration of a tunnel diode into the unit cell is carefully studied by analyzing its I-V characteristic, enabling the derivation of the negative resistance range and the power consumption model. Furthermore, the intrinsic phase-amplitude coupling of the reflection coefficient is characterized through compact linear algebra formulations, enabling practical optimization of active RISs. Extensive numerical simulations validate the theoretical analyses, demonstrating that active RISs can effectively overcome the double path loss limitation and achieve favorable EE trade-offs compared to passive RISs. Finally, the trade-off between the available power budget and the number of active elements is examined, revealing that a higher number of active elements does not always lead to optimal performance.

cs.IT↗

arXiv2025

Active Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces: Circuit Modeling and Reflection Amplification Optimization

Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RISs) constitute a promising emerging technology that enables wireless systems to control the propagation environment to enhance diverse communication objectives. To mitigate double-fading attenuation in RIS-aided links, the paradigm of active metamaterials capable of amplifying their incident wave has emerged. In this paper, capitalizing on the inherent negative-resistance region of tunnel diodes, we propose their integration into each RIS unit element to enable RISs with reflection amplification entirely in the analog domain. We derive novel realistic phase-amplitude relationships and power constraints specific to this model, addressing gaps in the existing literature where amplitude limits are often chosen arbitrarily. This characterization of our active RIS unit elements is incorporated into two novel optimization frameworks targeting the spectral efficiency maximization of RIS-assisted Multiple-Input-Multiple-Output (MIMO) systems, which are solved via an one-step approach and an iterative Alternating Optimization (AO) method. The former approach is used to initialize the AO framework, enhancing both its performance and convergence. Our numerical investigations emphasize the importance of accurately modeling phase-amplitude dependencies, and provide key insights into the impact of RIS-induced noise as well as the trade-off between available power and the number of active elements.

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arXiv2025

Graph-CNNs for RF Imaging: Learning the Electric Field Integral Equations

Radio-Frequency (RF) imaging concerns the digital recreation of the surfaces of scene objects based on the scattered field at distributed receivers. To solve this difficult inverse scattering problems, data-driven methods are often employed that extract patterns from similar training examples, while offering minimal latency. In this paper, we first provide an approximate yet fast electromagnetic model, which is based on the electric field integral equations, for data generation, and subsequently propose a Deep Neural Network (DNN) architecture to learn the corresponding inverse model. A graph-attention backbone allows for the system geometry to be passed to the DNN, where residual convolutional layers extract features about the objects, while a UNet head performs the final image reconstruction. Our quantitative and qualitative evaluations on two synthetic data sets of different characteristics showcase the performance gains of thee proposed advanced architecture and its relative resilience to signal noise levels and various reception configurations.

cs.LG↗

arXiv2025

How Do Microstrip Losses Impact Near-Field Beam Depth in Dynamic Metasurface Antennas?

The convergence of eXtremely Large (XL) antenna arrays and high-frequency bands in future wireless networks will inevitably give rise to near-field communications, localization, and sensing. Dynamic Metasurface Antennas (DMAs) have emerged as a key enabler of the XL Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) paradigm, leveraging reconfigurable metamaterials to support large antenna arrays. However, DMAs are inherently lossy due to propagation losses in the microstrip lines and radiative losses from the metamaterial elements, which reduce their gain and alter their beamforming characteristics compared to a lossless aperture. In this paper, we address the gap in understanding how DMA losses affect near-field beamforming performance, by deriving novel analytical expressions for the beamforming gain of DMAs under misalignments between the focusing position and the intended user's position in 3D space. Additionally, we derive beam depth limits for varying attenuation conditions, from lossless to extreme attenuation, offering insights into the impact of losses on DMA near-field performance.

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arXiv2024

Characterization of Indoor RIS-Assisted Channels at 304 GHz: Experimental Measurements, Challenges, and Future Directions

Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RISs) are expected to play a pivotal role in future indoor ultra high data rate wireless communications as well as highly accurate three-dimensional localization and sensing, mainly due to their capability to provide flexible, cost- and power-efficient coverage extension, even under blockage conditions. However, when considering beyond millimeter wave frequencies where there exists GHz-level available bandwidth, realistic models of indoor RIS-parameterized channels verified by field-trial measurements are unavailable. In this article, we first present and characterize three RIS prototypes with $100\times100$ unit cells of half-wavelength inter-cell spacing, which were optimized to offer a specific non-specular reflection with $1$-, $2$-, and $3$-bit phase quantization at $304$ GHz. The designed static RISs were considered in an indoor channel measurement campaign carried out with a $304$ GHz channel sounder. Channel measurements for two setups, one focusing on the transmitter-RIS-receiver path gain and the other on the angular spread of multipath components, are presented and compared with both state-of-the-art theoretical models as well as full-wave simulation results. The article is concluded with a list of challenges and research directions for RIS design and modeling of RIS-parameterized channels at THz frequencies.

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arXiv2024

On the Detection of Non-Cooperative RISs: Scan B-Testing via Deep Support Vector Data Description

In this paper, we study the problem of promptly detecting the presence of non-cooperative activity from one or more Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RISs) with unknown characteristics lying in the vicinity of a Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) communication system using Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing (OFDM) transmissions. We first present a novel wideband channel model incorporating RISs as well as non-reconfigurable stationary surfaces, which captures both the effect of the RIS actuation time on the channel in the frequency domain as well as the difference between changing phase configurations during or among transmissions. Considering that RISs may operate under the coordination of a third-party system, and thus, may negatively impact the communication of the intended MIMO OFDM system, we present a novel RIS activity detection framework that is unaware of the distribution of the phase configuration of any of the non-cooperative RISs. In particular, capitalizing on the knowledge of the data distribution at the multi-antenna receiver, we design a novel online change point detection statistic that combines a deep support vector data description model with the scan $B$-test. The presented numerical investigations demonstrate the improved detection accuracy as well as decreased computational complexity of the proposed RIS detection approach over existing change point detection schemes.

cs.NI↗

arXiv2024

Metasurface Energy Harvesters: State-of-the-Art Designs and Their Potential for Energy Sustainable Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces

Metasurface Energy Harvesters (MEHs) have emerged as a prominent enabler of highly efficient Radio Frequency (RF) energy harvesters. This survey delves into the fundamentals of the MEH technology, providing a comprehensive overview of their working principle, unit cell designs and prototypes over various frequency bands, as well as state-of-the art modes of operation. Inspired by the recent academic and industrial interest on Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RISs)for the upcoming sixth-Generation (6G) of wireless networks, we study the interplay between this technology and MEHs aiming for energy sustainable RISs power by metasurface-based RF energy harvesting. We present a novel hybrid unit cell design capable of simultaneous energy harvesting and 1-bit tunable reflection whose dual-functional response is validated via full-wave simulations. Then, we conduct a comparative collection of real-world measurements for ambient RF power levels and power consumption budgets of reflective RISs to unveil the potential for a self-sustainable RIS via ambient RF energy harvesting. The paper is concluded with an elaborative discussion on open design challenges and future research directions for MEHs and energy sustainable hybrid RISs.

cs.ET↗

arXiv2024

Asymptotically Optimal Closed-Form Phase Configuration of $1$-bit RISs via Sign Alignment

While Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RISs) constitute one of the most prominent enablers for the upcoming sixth Generation (6G) of wireless networks, the design of efficient RIS phase profiles remains a notorious challenge when large numbers of phase-quantized unit cells are involved, typically of a single bit, as implemented by a vast majority of existing metasurface prototypes. In this paper, we focus on the RIS phase configuration problem for the exemplary case of the Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) maximization for an RIS-enabled single-input single-output system where the metasurface tunable elements admit a phase difference of $π$ radians. We present a novel closed-form configuration which serves as a lower bound guaranteeing at least half the SNR of the ideal continuous (upper bound) SNR gain, and whose mean performance is shown to be asymptotically optimal. The proposed sign alignment configuration can be further used as initialization to standard discrete optimization algorithms. A discussion on the reduced complexity hardware benefits via the presented configuration is also included. Our numerical results demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed RIS sign alignment scheme over iterative approaches as well as the commonplace continuous phase quantization treatment.

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arXiv2024

Near-Field Beam Tracking with Extremely Large Dynamic Metasurface Antennas

The interplay between large antenna apertures and high frequencies in future generations of wireless networks will give rise to near-field communications. In this paper, we focus on the hybrid analog and digital beamforming architecture of dynamic metasurface antennas, which constitutes a recent prominent enabler of extremely massive antenna architectures, and devise a near-field beam tracking framework that initiates near-field beam sweeping only when the base station estimates that its provided beamforming gain drops below a threshold from its theoretically optimum value. Novel analytical expressions for the correlation function between any two beam focusing vectors, the beamforming gain with respect to user coordinate mismatch, the direction of the user movement yielding the fastest beamforming gain deterioration, and the minimum user displacement for a certain performance loss are presented. We also design a non-uniform coordinate grid for effectively sampling the user area of interest at each position estimation slot. Our extensive simulation results validate our theoretical analysis and showcase the superiority of the proposed near-field beam tracking over benchmarks.

cs.IT↗

arXiv2024

Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces for THz: Hardware Impairments and Switching Technologies

The demand for unprecedented performance in the upcoming 6G wireless networks is fomenting the research on THz communications empowered by Reconfigurable Inteligent Surfaces (RISs). A wide range of use cases have been proposed, most of them, assuming high-level RIS models that overlook some of the hardware impairments that this technology faces. The expectation is that the emergent reconfigurable THz technologies will eventually overcome its current limitations. This disassociation from the hardware may mask nonphysical assumptions, perceived as hardware limitations. In this paper, a top-down approach bounded by physical constraints is presented, distilling from system-level specifications, hardware requirements, and upper bounds for the RIS-aided system performance. We consider D-band indoor and outdoor scenarios where a more realistic assessment of the state-of-the-art solution can be made. The goal is to highlight the intricacies of the design procedure based on sound assumptions for the RIS performance. For a given signal range and angular coverage, we quantify the required RIS size, number of switching elements, and maximum achievable bandwidth and capacity.

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arXiv2024

Metasurface-Based Receivers with $1$-bit ADCs for Multi-User Uplink Communications

The massive Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (mMIMO) concept has been recently moving forward to extreme scales to address the envisioned requirements of next generation networks. However, the extension of conventional architectures will result in significant cost and power consumption. To this end, metasurface-based transceivers, consisting of microstrips of metamaterials, have recently emerged as an efficient enabler of extreme mMIMO systems. In this paper, we consider metasurface-based receivers with a $1$-bit Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) per microstrip and develop an analytical framework for the optimization of the analog and digital combining matrices. Our numerical results, including comparisons with fully digital, infinite-resolution MIMO, provide useful insights into the role of various system parameters.

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