6G Wireless Architectures

Abstract Sixth-Generation (6G) wireless networks will be required to support unprecedented performance levels in terms of data speed, coverage, quality-of-service, and energy efficiency. The challenges associated to their design has recently motivated a deep revision of the fundamental approaches to wireless system conception specifically focusing on the idea that the propagation environment can be included within the design process. The revolutionary “Smart ElectroMagnetic Environment” (SEME) vision arising from such a concept will be made possible by the introduction of wave manipulating devices such as electromagnetic skins (EMS), and it is expected to enable a variety of opportunities within 6G communications systems. The objective of this work is to review the principles, the opportunities, and the challenges concerning the development of EMSs for SEME scenarios in 6G networks, as well as the current trends and envisaged developments in terms of their design and implementations.