A phase-space Ray Tracing method for smart electromagnetic environments

Reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs) got an increasing amount of attention recently for their capability to provide remarkable performance enhancements in the actual and next 6G generation wireless systems. These programmable metasurfaces can control the electromagnetic propagation and achieve the desired wavefront by tuning the local reflection phase of its elements. Accurately estimation of the EM propagation in the RIS-assisted radio channel represents a challenge and becomes crucial for Telecom operators for the management and the optimized allocation of the radio resources. In this context, the authors propose the use of a raytracing method operating in the phase-space setting, the Dynamical Energy Analysis (DEA), as a coverage radio planning tool. DEA can take into account the EM interaction between RISs and the surrounding environment. The leading characteristics of DEA are discussed highlighting the motivations that make it a suitable tool for these purposes. Moreover, some preliminary results of the RIS integration within the DEA algorithm will be presented in some numerical examples.