Wireless Technology for the Metaverse: Challenges, Trends, and Innovations

ABSTRACT

Starting from a review of the fundamentals of wireless technology, the module then focuses on the introduction to the revolutionizing concept of the Smart Electromagnetic Environment (SEME) envisioning the future of wireless connectivity for next-generation/6G mobile systems and applications. The SEME is based on the idea that the objects in the environment are not considered, like in the past, as impairments to the propagation of the electromagnetic (EM) signals but they are key enablers. The environment becomes the fundamental and necessary degree-of-freedom for tailoring the propagation of the EM waves and enhancing the coverage, the data throughput, the quality of service, and thus the users experience toward the implementation of the Metaverse.
 

COURSE CONTENT

• Fundamentals of wireless technology
• Overview of the evolution of mobile communications systems
• Requirements and bottlenecks of today mobile communications
• Introduction to the Smart Electromagnetic Environment (SEME)
• Wireless technologies for the SEME
• The role of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

   

TEACHING ACTIVITIES

Seminar lectures covering foundations of wireless technology and the evolution of modern mobile communications until the roots of the physical-layer implementation of the Metaverse. Throughout the module, the students will work on a project-based assignment. The module finishes with public defense of the project.
 

FURTHER READINGS

1. https://seme.tech
2. F. Yang, D. Erricolo, and A. Massa, Guest-Editorial: Special Issue on ‘Smart Electromagnetic Environment,’ IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, vol. 70, no. 10, pp. 8687-8690, October 2022 (DOI: 10.1109/TAP.2022.3217359)
3. A. Massa, A. Benoni, P. Da Rù, S. K. Goudos, B. Li, G. Oliveri, A. Polo, P. Rocca, and M. Salucci, “Designing smart electromagnetic environments for next-generation wireless communications,” Telecom, Invited Paper, vol. 2, pp. 213–221, 2021 (DOI: 10.3390/telecom2020014)
4. L. U. Khan, M. Guizani, D. Niyato, A. Al-Fuqaha, and M. Debbah, “Metaverse for wireless systems: Architecture, advances, standardization, and open challenges,” Internet of Things, vol. 25, 2024 (DOI: 10.1016/j.iot.2024.101121)