Design and Planning of Static and Reconfigurable EM Skins for Smart Electromagnetic Environments

According to the “Smart Electromagnetic Environment” (SEME) paradigm, the propagation scenario will become a key actor in the design of future wireless systems. As a matter of fact, the exploitation and arbitrary manipulation of the complex electromagnetic (EM) phenomena arising in multi-path and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) environments will represent a fundamental asset to fulfill the ever-growing needs and requirements of the forthcoming communications standards. An overview of some of the most promising SEME-enabling technologies is given, along with a discussion of the current and future trends within such an emerging framework.