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Fakultät für Elektrotechnik und Informationstechnik
Studierende sitzt am Arbeitsplatz und schaut auf den Laptop. © Aliona Kardash​/​TU Dortmund

ComNets Dortmund presents latest research findings on 6G IRSs at VDE-ITG Conference

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  • 6GEM+
  • PANGOLIN Networks
  • 6G-ANNA
  • 6GEM
© Collage: A. Sezgin & ComNets
Simon Häger from ComNets presents performance gains of static HELIOS IRSs and of an UWB-assisted Reconfigurable HELIOS (RIS) on future private mmWave networks.
Our latest trials-driven research on both static and reconfigurable Intelligent Reflecting Surfaces (IRS) for industrial 6G mmWave communications was presented at the VDE-ITG Conference on Mobile Communications (MKT) 2026 in Osnabrück, Germany. The work investigates how passive IRS technology can enhance wireless connectivity in challenging industrial environments without requiring costly active radio units.

The paper “Reflection instead of Densification: Experimental Insights into IRS-aided Industrial 6G mmWave” demonstrates how strategically deployed IRS panels can improve non-line-of-sight (NLOS) communication conditions in industrial scenarios operating at mmWave frequencies. Based on extensive experimental evaluations, the study highlights the potential of passive reflections to stabilize wireless links and increase communication reliability while reducing infrastructure complexity.

The presented results build upon ComNets Dortmund’s ongoing research activities on sustainable and energy-efficient 6G mmWave systems, including the HELIOS intelligent reflecting surface concept and industrial 6G testbed developments within the 6GEM+, PANGOLIN Networks, 6G-ANNA and 6GEM projects. The work contributes experimental insights into practical IRS deployment strategies for future industrial wireless networks, where broad availability of high-throughput connectivity is essential for automation and digitalized production environments.

Presented Manuscript

M. Danger, S. Häger, C. Arendt, F. Schmickmann, M. Kaudewitz, S. Böcker, C. Wietfeld, “Reflection Instead of Densification: Experimental Insights into IRS-Aided Industrial 6G mmWave,” in VDE-ITG Conference on Mobile Communications (MKT), Osnabrück, Germany, May 2026. [Video] [pdf] [Details]

Acknowledgment

This work has been funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) in the course of the 6G-ANNA project under grant no. 16KISK101, the 6GEM research hub under grant no. 16KISK038, the 6GEM+ transfer hub under grant no. 16KIS2412, and the PANGOLIN Networks project under grant no. 16KIS2357.