Talking About Reconfigurable Intelligent Radio-Enabled Surfaces

Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS) leverages smart radio surfaces with thousands of small metamaterial elements that dynamically shape and control radio signals. The technology can enhance key-performance-indicators for various systems such as coverage and capacity, as well as localization and sensing, among others. We talk to Arman Shojaeifar, Chair of the Industry Specification Group on Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (ISG RIS) at ETSI, about the technology and its ramifications.  For example, an RIS can reconfigure the radio environment to sense human posture and detect someone falling, a very useful application for elderly care.