As the fifth generation (5G) networks are now putted into commercialization, research attention has shifted to the sixth-generation (6G) communication networks. To support emerging new applications, such as autonomous driving, virtual reality, brain-computer interactions, and so forth, 6G networks are expected with requirements on extremely high data rate, low latency, high reliability, ubiquitous coverage, high energy efficiency, etc. Although such a strict performance demand has gained support from existing techniques, e.g., massive MIMO, mmwave/THz communications, it will lead to high energy consumption and hardware cost, and excessive signal processing complexity. Due to the recent breakthrough on programmable metamaterials, intelligent reflecting surface (IRS) has been recognized as a promising solution to satisfy the performance demands of 6G networks in a low-cost manner.

In general, IRS is a thin panel integrated with many passive reflection elements, which can improve the security, spectrum, energy efficiency, and converge of 6G networks, by adjusting the amplitude and phase shifts of reflection elements in IRS for achieving fine-grained reflect beamforming. However, due to the complex coupled relationship between the wireless propagation environment and the configuration of the IRS, existing methods cannot be directly exploited in IRS-empowered 6G networks. Therefore, it is essential to develop new communication and signal processing techniques.

This Special Issue aims to capture the recent contributions on the modelling, design, analysis, and implementation of IRS-empowered 6G networks. We welcome original research and review articles.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

• Performance analysis for IRS-empowered 6G networks
• Experimental results for IRS-empowered 6G networks
• Channel estimation for IRS-empowered 6G networks
• Radio sensing for IRS-empowered 6G networks5. Resource management for IRS-empowered 6G networks
• Deployment optimization for IRS-empowered 6G networks
• Integrating mmwave/THz communications into IRS-empowered 6G networks
• Interplay between NOMA and IRS-assisted 6G networks
• Cross-layer design for IRS-empowered 6G networks
• IRS-empowered secure communications for 6G networks
• IRS-empowered wireless energy transfer
• IRS-empowered mobile edge computing
• IRS-enhanced backscatter communications
• IRS-empowered space-air-ground integrated networks in 6G
• Machine learning-based methods for IRS-empowered 6G networks