2024 National Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface Technology Innovation and Application Competition
Organizer: Xidian University
Introduction:
Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface (RIS), an innovative foundational technology, encompasses multidisciplinary fields such as metamaterials, electromagnetic information theory (EIT) , surface electromagnetics , computational electromagnetics (CEM), cybernetics, and wireless communications. RIS is a two-dimensional artificial electromagnetic material composed of numerous meticulously designed units. By applying control signals to the tunable elements on these units, the electromagnetic properties of these units can be dynamically controlled, enabling programmable and intelligent manipulation of spatial electromagnetic waves, thereby forming electromagnetic fields with controllable amplitude, phase, polarization, and frequency. RIS transforms the wireless propagation environment from passive adaptation to active control, establishing an intelligent wireless environment. In recent years, numerous theoretical innovations and prototype tests have demonstrated RIS technology’s advantages in low cost, low power consumption, and ease of deployment. By constructing an intelligent and controllable wireless environment, RIS has the potential to break through the constraints of traditional wireless communications, ushering in a new paradigm for future mobile communication networks with broad technological and industrial prospects. As a highly promising direction, RIS is poised to be implemented ahead of schedule in 5G-Advanced (5G-A) networks and become one of the candidate technologies for future 6G network standards. Currently, RIS has undergone its first demonstrative application test at the venues of the 19th Asian Games, reconstructing the electromagnetic space distribution within the venues through large-scale electromagnetic computations. By rational deployment of RIS, the existing 5G wireless network coverage becomes more uniform, and energy utilization is more efficient, providing robust support for a green and low-carbon Asian Games.
In the previous competition held in Hangzhou in 2023, over 100 teams from across the country gathered to exchange ideas and learn from each other. After intense competition, 12 teams were selected for the finals. The competition produced numerous ingenious ideas regarding the application of RIS technology, showcasing the daring and experimental spirit of young innovators, and significantly promoting the application scenarios of RIS technology. Like a spark in the present, RIS technology will surely ignite the light of future 6G. This competition will continue to implement the “trinity” approach of education, science and technology, and talent, promoting complementary resource advantages, resonating at the same frequency, and comprehensively advancing the innovative development of RIS technology, providing a platform for experts, scholars, and researchers from various fields to exchange ideas, academics, and technology.
The Second National Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface Technology Innovation and Application Competition, hosted by Xidian University, is about to commence in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province. The finalists will present and report their work at the 3rd Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface Technology Forum. With the theme of innovative applications of RIS technology, the competition aims to better explore RIS systems and applications, realizing multi-dimensional application scenarios such as wireless communications, radar, and imaging through highly integrated, low-cost, and miniaturized architectures.
I. Competition Format and Requirements
The Second National Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface Technology Competition is divided into specified and open tracks, with the evaluation focusing on the creativity and innovation of the works, technical implementation, and the team’s comprehensive capabilities.
1. Specified Track 1: RIS Design Utilizing Novel Theories and Technologies
(1) Hardware Constraints: RIS operating frequency at sub-6G commercial bands/millimeter-wave bands, with element size no larger than half a wavelength of the operating frequency, and based on the designed elements. For sub-6G bands, the array arrangement must be at least 16×16 elements; for millimeter-wave bands, the array arrangement should be at least 10×10 elements based on the designed elements.
(2) Functional Requirements: Implement at least one function such as amplitude modulation, phase modulation, polarization modulation, frequency modulation, or beam steering on a single RIS. Participants must further quantify technical indicators based on the implemented function(s).
(3) Evaluation Criteria: For works with different functions, evaluation is based on the number of functions implemented and the capability of quantified indicators. For works with the same function, evaluation is based on relative bandwidth, beam scanning range, angle stability, modulation rate, and other indicators.
(4) Consideration of the DC Bias Network: The impact of the actual DC bias network must be taken into account in the RIS design.
(5) Test Results Encouraged: Experimental test results are preferred but simulation results are also acceptable.
2. Specified Track 2: RIS System Architecture and Challenges
At this stage, the primary frameworks of the RIS system encompass single-node RIS, multi-RIS cascading, and distributed RIS. In their respective application scenarios, the industry has a keen interest in more efficient codebook implementation algorithms, faster and more accurate sensing algorithms, as well as higher-precision time synchronization algorithms. For single-node RIS, the focus is on optimizing individual performance metrics. In contrast, multi-RIS cascading and distributed RIS systems present additional challenges. Additionally, there is an urgent need for solutions addressing the joint codebook design and implementation, along with high-precision time synchronization, in multi-RIS cascading and distributed RIS systems.
(1) For indoor environment blind spot compensation, design and implement faster and higher-performance codebooks design and feedback strategies for single-node RIS configurations or joint codebooks for multi-RIS configurations.
(2) For distributed RIS systems, design and implement a high-precision time synchronization system to enhance communication and sensing capabilities.
(3) Implement distributed data collection, centralized processing, and result presentation for distributed RIS systems.
(4) Facilitate Multi-RIS wireless channel and communication-sensing integration, including applications such as WiFi-RIS positioning, multi-RIS testing system, and other prototypes.
(5) RIS system design encourages the submission of experimental prototypes and test results with priority; simulation results are also acceptable for competition.
3. Open Track: Exploring Intelligent Metasurface Systems and Applications
This track aims to explore intelligent metasurface systems and their applications through highly integrated, cost-effective, and miniaturized architectures, enabling multidimensional applications including, but not limited to, wireless communication, radar, imaging, information security, Internet of Things (IoT), integrated communication and sensing, and electromagnetic information theory for exploration and communication.
(1) For scenarios with signal blind spots in real-world environments, deploy designed RIS systems in practicalsettings, establish effective electromagnetic environment simulations, and thereby achieve comprehensivecoverage of wireless signal blind spots.
(2) Implement Simultaneous Wireless Information and Power Transfer (SWIPT) for IoT devices.
(3) Facilitate Indoor assisted positioning, target detection, and sensing.
(4) Explore applications of new-generation wireless communication systems, such as prototypes for Orbital Angular Momentum (OAM) communication and wireless communication utilizing space-time coding techniques.
II. Participation Eligibility
Participation is team-based, each consisting of one or two instructors, one team leader, and three to five team members. Each instructor may supervise up to two teams, and each participant is limited to join one team.
III. Competition Schedule
The competition comprises two stages: Preliminary Round and Final Round.
·Preliminary Round: Selection based on submitted design documentation.
·Final Round: Presentations and defenses of selected entries.
·Registration Deadline: August 15, 2024
·Submission Deadline for Entries: October 25, 2024
·Notification of Finalists: November 10, 2024
·Final Competition Date: To be determined. Finalists will present and report their work at the Third Intelligent Metasurface Technology Forum.
IV. Evaluation Process
A panel of experts from universities and industries will initially screen entries based on creativity, innovation, advancement, application value, and functional completeness. Shortlisted teams will proceed to an offline defense, lasting 10 minutes each, including a 6-minute presentation followed by a 4-minute Q&A session. Judges will score the entries based on test results and their overall performance.
Scoring Criteria and Awards:
Judges, comprising university and industry experts, will evaluate entries based on technical papers, presentations, functional completeness, innovation, application value, and defense performance. Awards (1st prize: 1, 2nd prize: 2, 3rd prize: 3) will be granted based on the total scores, focusing on adherence to competition guidelines.
V. Preparation Checklist
1.Defense PPT: Recommended content includes: significance of the topic, innovations and uniqueness, core technology methods, results and analysis, and application value. If the entry builds upon existing projects, clearly outline the team’s contributions, main tasks, and division of labor within the PPT.
2.Technical Paper: A clear and comprehensive electronic document describing the key technical issues addressed, background, innovative technologies, and a comparison of key parameters and design methods with similar advanced technologies globally.
3.Test Results: Include a complete testing process with accompanying images, accurately and thoroughly explaining the testing procedures for relevant technical indicators, and objectively presenting test outcomes.
4.File Naming: “Open/Specified Track – Team Name – Project Name”.
5.Attachments Naming: e.g., “Defense PPT”, “Technical Paper”, Demo Video (if any, no longer than 5 minutes, file size < 300MB).
6.E-mail address: rista_ads@163.com
7.Registration: Teams must scan the QR code below to register and submit their personal information within the stipulated time frame.
Contact Person: Dr. Han, rista_ads@163.com
Note: A live broadcast interpreting the competition themes and answering questions will be held on July 30th. If you have any inquiries, please feel free to email us or ask during the live broadcast. The official language of the competition is Chinese.
