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Arrays of liquid antennas: Taking reconfigurability to the next level

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    • Date
    14 April 2026
    Timeframe
    15:00 - 16:30 CEST
    Duration
    90 minutes
    • Days
      Hours
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    The advantages of multiple input – multiple output (MIMO) processing have turned this technique into a key element of the current wireless communications systems. Scaling this concept up has motivated massive MIMO, cell-free massive MIMO and ultra-large MIMO developments. However, increasing the array size has complexity implications and it is probably close to the limit. In turn, the concept of reconfigurability has stimulated research around the idea of adapting the channel to the communications needs and not the opposite. This talk discusses the emerging concept of arrays of liquid antennas to obtain extreme reconfigurability, so that not only the size, but the shape of the radiating structure can be changed and adjusted to the needs of the communications system. The focus is on arrays made of liquid alloys, such as eGaIn. The main challenges to design and integrate this concept in next-generation wireless communications systems are described, as well as the many possible advantages, namely, increasing energy efficiency, limiting electromagnetic exposure, or mitigating blockage. Chanel models and adaptation algorithms are explained, which are being designed based on a careful understanding of the movement of the liquid elements and their practical integration with communications hardware, derived from preliminary experiments.

     

    Session Objectives:

    By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

    • Analyze the limitations of scaling traditional MIMO architectures and explain how liquid‑antenna arrays provide enhanced reconfigurability for next‑generation wireless communication systems.
    • Evaluate the design and integration challenges of liquid‑alloy antenna arrays (e.g., eGaIn) and assess their potential benefits, such as improved energy efficiency, reduced electromagnetic exposure, and blockage mitigation, based on emerging channel models and adaptation algorithms.
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