MIPT: Technology for expanding the coverage of mobile networks

2025: Introduction of Mobile Network Coverage Expansion Technology

Scientists at the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology have developed a prototype of a customizable intellectual surface that optimizes the path of signal propagation from a cell tower. The technology can increase the coverage and bandwidth of mobile networks without the cost of infrastructure upgrades. The university announced this on May 16, 205.

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Фото: MIPT

An important problem with wireless networks is increased coverage and bandwidth without expensive infrastructure upgrades. MIPT scientists propose to solve it with the help of reconfigurable intellectual surfaces (RIP). They optimize the path of propagation of the signal, reflecting and redirecting it in an optimal way.

RRIs consist of a large number of reflecting elements that can change the phase of the signal incident on them. The PRI setting can be controlled by setting the phase change on each element so as to focus or redirect the signal to the receiving device. The advantage of RIPs is that they are much cheaper to manufacture and install than base stations of cellular networks, and also require orders of magnitude less energy to operate.

Typically, RTDs are controlled by base stations, requiring their deep integration into carrier systems and inhibiting network deployment. We offer a user-centric approach in which mobile devices themselves control the settings of the RIP and can independently increase the signal power without operator intervention. This approach significantly improves the quality of connection, especially for users at the border of the cell, both indoors and outdoors, "said Ilya Burtakov, one of the authors of the article, lecturer at the Department of Information Transfer and Data Analysis at MIPT.

The developed system in real time collects and uses signal power measurements from mobile devices to configure the RIP and optimize performance. User devices themselves will be able to manage it automatically.

At this stage, the authors are working on creating an improved prototype of the system. The first sample showed effective operation in ranges up to 6 GHz. It is capable of doubling the uplink or downlink data rate.

Setting up the system is based on a beam scanning algorithm and takes less than six seconds - much less time than existing approaches, such as those using neural networks. The solution does not need standardized operator support. All this makes it more economical and energy efficient, - added Ilya Burtakov.

The proposed algorithm for rapid regulation of RIP operation is compatible with existing 4G and 5G networks. It is expected that the results of the work will accelerate the emergence of interactive smart surfaces for everyday connection in Russia.