Self-Alignment Resonant Beam Empowers Beamforming without Estimation and Control for 6G IoT

Abstract: The integration of communication, sensing, and wireless power transfer (WPT) is a cornerstone of 6G intelligent IoT. However, relying on traditional beamforming imposes prohibitive overheads due to complex channel state information (CSI) estimation and active beam scanning, particularly in dynamic environments. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the radio frequency resonant beam system (RF-RBS), a native physical-layer paradigm that circumvents these limitations. By deploying retro-directive antenna arrays (RAA) at transceivers, RF-RBS establishes a self-sustaining cyclic electromagnetic loop. This mechanism inherently enables self-aligning, high-gain beamforming through positive feedback, eliminating the reliance on digital CSI processing. We analyze the system's architecture and its capability to support high-efficiency WPT, robust communication, and millimeter-level passive positioning. Finally, we evaluate the implementation challenges and strategic value of RF-RBS in latency-sensitive 6G scenarios, including unmanned systems and industrial automation.