Recently, significant research attention has been devoted to the study of reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs), which are capable of reconfiguring the wireless propagation environment by exploiting the unique properties of metamaterials-based integrated large arrays of inexpensive antennas. Existing research demonstrates that RISs significantly improve physical layer performance, including wireless coverage, achievable data rate, and energy efficiency. However, the medium access control (MAC) of multiple users accessing an RIS-enabled channel is still in its infancy, while many open issues remain to be addressed. In this article, we present four typical RIS-aided multi-user scenarios with special emphasis on the MAC schemes. We then propose and elaborate on centralized, distributed, and hybrid artificial-in-telligence-assisted MAC architectures in RIS-aid-ed multi-user communications systems. Finally, we discuss some challenges, perspectives, and potential applications of RISs as they are related to MAC design.

中文翻译：

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用于可重构智能表面辅助无线网络的人工智能辅助 MAC：挑战与机遇


最近，大量研究注意力集中在可重构智能表面（RIS）的研究上，它能够通过利用基于超材料的集成大型廉价天线阵列的独特属性来重新配置无线传播环境。现有研究表明，RIS 显着提高了物理层性能，包括无线覆盖范围、可实现的数据速率和能源效率。然而，多用户访问支持 RIS 的通道的介质访问控制 (MAC) 仍处于起步阶段，许多未解决的问题仍有待解决。在本文中，我们提出了四种典型的 RIS 辅助多用户场景，特别强调了 MAC 方案。然后，我们提出并详细阐述了 RIS 辅助多用户通信系统中的集中式、分布式和混合人工智能辅助 MAC 架构。最后，我们讨论了 RIS 与 MAC 设计相关的一些挑战、观点和潜在应用。