Hardware–algorithm co-design for 3D arrays: unlocking spatial degrees of freedom with mutual coupling
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Yuqi HU, Ran JI, Chongwen HUANG, Li WEI, Xiaoming CHEN, Wei E. I. SHA, Jiguang HE, Zhaoyang ZHANG, Mérouane DEBBAH. Hardware–algorithm co-design for 3D arrays: unlocking spatial degrees of freedom with mutual coupling[J]. Journal of Zhejiang University Science C, 2026, 27(10): 1-3.
@article{title="Hardware–algorithm co-design for 3D arrays: unlocking spatial degrees of freedom with mutual coupling",
author="Yuqi HU, Ran JI, Chongwen HUANG, Li WEI, Xiaoming CHEN, Wei E. I. SHA, Jiguang HE, Zhaoyang ZHANG, Mérouane DEBBAH",
journal="Journal of Zhejiang University Science C",
volume="27",
number="10",
pages="1-3",
year="2026",
publisher="Zhejiang University Press & Springer",
doi="10.1631/ENG.ITEE.2026.0238"
}
%0 Journal Article
%T Hardware–algorithm co-design for 3D arrays: unlocking spatial degrees of freedom with mutual coupling
%A Yuqi HU
%A Ran JI
%A Chongwen HUANG
%A Li WEI
%A Xiaoming CHEN
%A Wei E. I. SHA
%A Jiguang HE
%A Zhaoyang ZHANG
%A Mérouane DEBBAH
%J Frontiers of Information Technology & Electronic Engineering
%V 27
%N 10
%P 1-3
%@ 1869-1951
%D 2026
%I Zhejiang University Press & Springer
%DOI 10.1631/ENG.ITEE.2026.0238
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T1 - Hardware–algorithm co-design for 3D arrays: unlocking spatial degrees of freedom with mutual coupling
A1 - Yuqi HU
A1 - Ran JI
A1 - Chongwen HUANG
A1 - Li WEI
A1 - Xiaoming CHEN
A1 - Wei E. I. SHA
A1 - Jiguang HE
A1 - Zhaoyang ZHANG
A1 - Mérouane DEBBAH
J0 - Frontiers of Information Technology & Electronic Engineering
VL - 27
IS - 10
SP - 1
EP - 3
%@ 1869-1951
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PB - Zhejiang University Press & Springer
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DOI - 10.1631/ENG.ITEE.2026.0238
Abstract: Three-dimensional (3D) antenna arrays are crucial for enhancing the capacity of 6G systems, with sub-array-based hybrid beamforming widely adopted to control hardware costs. However, current precoding designs typically assume ideal conditions, neglecting the impact of the physical layout on electromagnetic (EM) mutual coupling. This correspondence highlights that compact layouts inherently induce near-field coupling, while the connection architecture dictates inter-layer leakage and interference. Consequently, sub-optimal hardware configurations severely constrain the performance of subsequent base band algorithms. To bridge the gap between theory and deployment, we advocate moving beyond traditional fixed-hardware assumptions toward a co-design of physical architectures and signal processing. Effectively mitigating adverse EM states requires geometry-aware coupling models, the introduction of dynamic sub-array reconfiguration, and the joint optimization of structural parameters and precoding weights. This hardware–algorithm co-design represents a critical pathway to unlocking the true potential of 3D arrays.
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Full Text:
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CLC number: TN82
On-line Access: 2026-11-11
Received: 2026-07-28
Revision Accepted: 2026-09-14
Crosschecked: 2026-11-11
Cited: 0
Clicked: 12
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