Prof. Zhinong Ying
University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC), China

Title: Advancing Distributed Antenna System: From EM near field features to Intelligent Electromagnetic Space

Abstract:
6G distributed multiple-input multiple-output (D-MIMO) antenna systems represent a revolutionary technology that exploits spatially distributed nodes to enhance spectral efficiency, coverage, and energy efficiency . A defining enabler of this paradigm shift is the near-field operation regime, which unlocks unprecedented spatial degrees of freedom . These near-field capabilities can be realized through a diverse ecosystem of distributed antenna technologies, including D-MIMO nodes, radio strips and weaves, reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS), intelligent wireless transparent relays (IWTR), Moveable antennas (MA), reconfigurable antennas, meta-material and other programmable electromagnetic hardware.

Despite this transformative potential, many critical obstacles remain to be overcome, spanning signal amplification and forwarding, synchronization, fronthaul/backhaul requirements, and scalability, alongside fundamental research topics such as near-field beamforming, spatial multiplexing, ISAC, channel modeling, antenna innovation, intelligent algorithms, and system architecture. Furthermore, future networks are poised to shift toward Hierarchical Autonomy and Intent-driven paradigms, giving rise to the concept of an intelligent EM space—built upon programmable hardware such as IWTRs, distributed MIMO nodes, and RIS—that continuously maintains the electromagnetic state (EM State) and enables autonomous local optimization.

This talk introduces the antenna theory underlying the near-field characteristics of radiators and scatterers, examines the properties of distributed antenna systems, and explores methods for extending the effective near-field region. It analyzes and compares the advantages and limitations of various electromagnetic modeling approaches, reviews recent advances in near-field point focusing, degrees of freedom, spatial multiplexing, and electromagnetic information theory, and discusses the influence of different array topologies on near-field characteristics—supported by selected measurement results and the design of various distributed antennas. Building on these foundations, the talk further dissects the building blocks of the intelligent EM space, including D-MIMO nodes, RIS, IWTR, MA, and reconfigurable antennas, and discusses the remain technical challenges. Finally, it predicts the future trend of AI-driven evolution from node-connectivity management toward intelligent EM space management.

Biography:
Zhinong Ying is a Principal Researcher at the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC). He joined Ericsson AB in 1995 and spent more than thirty years in mobile industry, first as a Senior Expert of antenna technology at Ericsson and Sony Ericsson, and later as a Distinguished Engineer within the Sony group until 2024, successively holding key technical positions at those companies and shaping the antenna systems behind some of the industry's most widely used mobile devices. Alongside his industrial career, he served concurrently as a part-time professor at internationally renowned universities, including Zhejiang University in China, Queen Mary University of London, and Aalborg University in Denmark, bridging research and practice in industry and academy.

His research interests span small antennas, broadband and multiband antennas, MIMO antenna systems, and the antenna and propagation for 5G-A and 6G mobile networks, covering distributed MIMO, millimeter-wave technologies, EM near-field effects and applications, human body interactions, and advanced measurement techniques. More recently his work has centered on emerging 6G antenna technologies for such integrated sensing and communication (ISAC), distributed MIMO (DMIMO), and non-terrestrial networks (NTN). He has also been actively involved in 3GPP and EMF standardization, contributing to the technical foundations of next-generation wireless systems and to their electromagnetic compatibility and safety considerations.

Beyond his technical contributions, Ying has played some prominent role in the international research community. He has served as General Co-Chair and Technical Program Committee Co-Chair for numerous international conferences and was a member of the Best Paper Committee of the IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society. He has published more than 190 papers and seven book chapters and holds over 180 international patents, many of which have been widely adopted in commercial products with global recognition. He also contributed to the research and evaluation of Bluetooth technology, and his celebrated "Ying feed" was once used in the Arecibo radio telescope.

He has received numerous engineering awards. In 2005 he was listed in the World Who's Who in Science and Engineering, and in 2021 he was elected both an IEEE Fellow and an AAIA Fellow, recognizing his sustained and influential contributions to antenna technology, mobile communications, and engineering leadership.