RIS as a Network Resource: User Multiplexing and Pricing Algorithms
Alexandros I. Papadopoulos, Antonios X. Lalas, Konstantinos Votis, Stefan Schmid, Kostas Katsalis, Christos Liaskos · 2024
Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS) have the ability to actively control wave propagation through space, enabling the creation of Programmable Wireless Environments (PWEs). This capability allows for the uti-lization and control of previously unexploited resources. However, there is a notable gap in allocating these resources to network users in a way that aligns with the pricing policies of telecommunications stakeholders. This paper considers RIS elements as network resources and describes a pricing policy that links the PWE efficiency of individual users to an optimal method for sharing RIS elements. A specialized policy tailored to this purpose, is designed with a focus on robustness, ensuring its applicability across various RIS functionalities and frequency bands. Its computational efficiency further underscores its viability for deployment in practical scenarios.