Guest Editorial: Intelligent Surfaces for 5G and Beyond

We are happy to introduce this Special Issue, “Intelligent Surfaces for 5G and Beyond,” to the readers of IEEE Wireless Communications. The objective of this Special Issue is to report on the latest, most promising research advances, major challenges, and recent advancements in modeling, analysis, design, and implementation of reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs) empowered wireless communication networks, as well as point out new research directions in this emerging research area. After a rigorous review process, 12 articles have been accepted, and they cover many subtopics within this research field. In particular, some of the articles focus on mobile edge computing, while others focus on the applications of RISs on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), high-speed trains, and free space optical communication systems. The remaining articles focus on the optimization and channel estimation, as well as on future sixth-generation (6G) wireless communication systems. Many fine papers could not be included in this Special Issue due to space constraints. We anticipate seeing them in other publication venues.