Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface-Assisted B5G/6G Wireless Communications: Challenges, Solution and Future Opportunities

The power consumption and hardware cost are two of the main challenges for realizing beyond fifth-generation (B5G) and sixth-generation (6G) wireless communications. Recently, the emerging reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) have been recognized as a promising tool for enhancing the propagation environment and improving the spectral efficiency of wireless communications by controlling low-cost passive reflecting elements. However, current cellular communication were designed on the basis of conventional communication theories, significantly restrict the development of RIS-assisted B5G/6G technologies and lead to severe limitations. In this article, we discuss RIS-assisted channel estimation issues involved in B5G/6G communications including channel state information (CSI) acquisition, imperfect cascade CSI for beamforming design and co-channel interference coordination, and develop a few possible solutions or visionary technologies to promote the development of B5G/6G. Finally, potential research opportunities are discussed