Future role of movable-part antenna systems in wireless networks

Ascertain the role and practical viability of electromagnetic antenna systems that incorporate movable parts, such as mechanically actuated transmissive metasurfaces, reflectarrays with rotating elements, and fluid antennas, in future wireless networks given their susceptibility to mechanical degradation and failure.

Background

The proposed REMS modeling framework assumes no movable parts in the radiating structure, which excludes classes of systems that employ mechanical actuation or fluidic elements.

While such systems can offer additional reconfigurability, the authors note that movable parts are prone to mechanical degradation or failures, raising uncertainty about their long-term practicality and impact in wireless networks.

This uncertainty is explicitly acknowledged as an open question regarding how and to what extent these systems will feature in future network deployments.