This page only presents a selection of my most valuable work. A complete list of my publications is available at Google Scholar profile.

Notations: * equal-contributed authors, # corresponding author.

2024

Mutual Coupling-Aware Channel Estimation and Beamforming for RIS-Assisted Communications
Mutual Coupling-Aware Channel Estimation and Beamforming for RIS-Assisted Communications

Pinjun Zheng*, Simon Tarboush*, Hadi Sarieddeen, Tareq Y. Al-Naffouri

submitted Preprint

Our previous studies have already proved that mutual coupling is critical in densely integrated arrays in applications such as holographic communications. Neglecting this effect in such applications can lead to severe model mismatches and performance degradation. This paper is the first to comprehensively address the challenges of mutual coupling-aware channel estimation and beamforming in RIS-aided communications, proposing a set of algorithms that outperform existing benchmarks.

Mutual Coupling-Aware Channel Estimation and Beamforming for RIS-Assisted Communications
Mutual Coupling-Aware Channel Estimation and Beamforming for RIS-Assisted Communications

Pinjun Zheng*, Simon Tarboush*, Hadi Sarieddeen, Tareq Y. Al-Naffouri

submitted Preprint

Our previous studies have already proved that mutual coupling is critical in densely integrated arrays in applications such as holographic communications. Neglecting this effect in such applications can lead to severe model mismatches and performance degradation. This paper is the first to comprehensively address the challenges of mutual coupling-aware channel estimation and beamforming in RIS-aided communications, proposing a set of algorithms that outperform existing benchmarks.

Mutual Coupling in RIS-Aided Communication: Model Training and Experimental Validation
Mutual Coupling in RIS-Aided Communication: Model Training and Experimental Validation

Pinjun Zheng, Ruiqi Wang#, Atif Shamim, Tareq Y. Al-Naffouri

IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications (IF: 8.9) Journal

We show how to correctly model the RIS mutual coupling within the cascaded channel and how to obtain a realistic evaluation of the scattering parameters in the model based on a real RIS prototype. Both full-wave simulation and experimental validation are conducted.

Mutual Coupling in RIS-Aided Communication: Model Training and Experimental Validation
Mutual Coupling in RIS-Aided Communication: Model Training and Experimental Validation

Pinjun Zheng, Ruiqi Wang#, Atif Shamim, Tareq Y. Al-Naffouri

IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications (IF: 8.9) Journal

We show how to correctly model the RIS mutual coupling within the cascaded channel and how to obtain a realistic evaluation of the scattering parameters in the model based on a real RIS prototype. Both full-wave simulation and experimental validation are conducted.

LEO- and RIS-Empowered User Tracking: A Riemannian Manifold Approach
LEO- and RIS-Empowered User Tracking: A Riemannian Manifold Approach

Pinjun Zheng, Xing Liu#, Tareq Y. Al-Naffouri

IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications (IF: 13.8) Journal

In this paper, we address the 9D user tracking problem within a hybrid terrestrial and non-terrestrial wireless system that integrates LEO satellites and RISs. We propose a novel Riemannian manifold-based UKF method to simultaneously track the 3D position, 3D velocity, and 3D orientation of a ground user.

LEO- and RIS-Empowered User Tracking: A Riemannian Manifold Approach
LEO- and RIS-Empowered User Tracking: A Riemannian Manifold Approach

Pinjun Zheng, Xing Liu#, Tareq Y. Al-Naffouri

IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications (IF: 13.8) Journal

In this paper, we address the 9D user tracking problem within a hybrid terrestrial and non-terrestrial wireless system that integrates LEO satellites and RISs. We propose a novel Riemannian manifold-based UKF method to simultaneously track the 3D position, 3D velocity, and 3D orientation of a ground user.

On the Impact of Mutual Coupling on RIS-Assisted Channel Estimation
On the Impact of Mutual Coupling on RIS-Assisted Channel Estimation

Pinjun Zheng#, Xiuxiu Ma, Tareq Y. Al-Naffouri

IEEE Wireless Communications Letters (IF: 4.6) Journal

We show how the mutual coupling effect among RIS unit cells affects the channel estimation performance via the MCRB theory.

On the Impact of Mutual Coupling on RIS-Assisted Channel Estimation
On the Impact of Mutual Coupling on RIS-Assisted Channel Estimation

Pinjun Zheng#, Xiuxiu Ma, Tareq Y. Al-Naffouri

IEEE Wireless Communications Letters (IF: 4.6) Journal

We show how the mutual coupling effect among RIS unit cells affects the channel estimation performance via the MCRB theory.

Multi-RIS-Enabled 3D Sidelink Positioning
Multi-RIS-Enabled 3D Sidelink Positioning

Hui Chen*#, Pinjun Zheng*, Musa Furkan Keskin, Tareq Y. Al-Naffouri, Henk Wymeersch

IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications (IF: 8.9) Journal

We show that with the involvement of sufficient RISs, sidelink positioning without any base stations is possible.

Multi-RIS-Enabled 3D Sidelink Positioning
Multi-RIS-Enabled 3D Sidelink Positioning

Hui Chen*#, Pinjun Zheng*, Musa Furkan Keskin, Tareq Y. Al-Naffouri, Henk Wymeersch

IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications (IF: 8.9) Journal

We show that with the involvement of sufficient RISs, sidelink positioning without any base stations is possible.

JrCUP: Joint RIS Calibration and User Positioning for 6G Wireless Systems
JrCUP: Joint RIS Calibration and User Positioning for 6G Wireless Systems

Pinjun Zheng, Hui Chen#, Tarig Ballal, Mikko Valkama, Henk Wymeersch, Tareq Y. Al-Naffouri

IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications (IF: 8.9) Journal

Since our work published at ICASSP 2023 demonstrates that the geometric calibration of RIS is a key bottleneck in practical implementation, this paper aims to address the joint RIS calibration and user positioning (JrCUP) problem.

JrCUP: Joint RIS Calibration and User Positioning for 6G Wireless Systems
JrCUP: Joint RIS Calibration and User Positioning for 6G Wireless Systems

Pinjun Zheng, Hui Chen#, Tarig Ballal, Mikko Valkama, Henk Wymeersch, Tareq Y. Al-Naffouri

IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications (IF: 8.9) Journal

Since our work published at ICASSP 2023 demonstrates that the geometric calibration of RIS is a key bottleneck in practical implementation, this paper aims to address the joint RIS calibration and user positioning (JrCUP) problem.

Coverage Analysis of Joint Localization and Communication in THz Systems with 3D Arrays
Coverage Analysis of Joint Localization and Communication in THz Systems with 3D Arrays

Pinjun Zheng, Tarig Ballal, Hui Chen#, Henk Wymeersch, Tareq Y. Al-Naffouri

IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications (IF: 8.9) Journal

Proposed a 3D AOSA antenna structure, and a quantitative analysis is provided to demonstrate that it can enhance the coverage of terahertz communication and localization, as anticipated.

Coverage Analysis of Joint Localization and Communication in THz Systems with 3D Arrays
Coverage Analysis of Joint Localization and Communication in THz Systems with 3D Arrays

Pinjun Zheng, Tarig Ballal, Hui Chen#, Henk Wymeersch, Tareq Y. Al-Naffouri

IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications (IF: 8.9) Journal

Proposed a 3D AOSA antenna structure, and a quantitative analysis is provided to demonstrate that it can enhance the coverage of terahertz communication and localization, as anticipated.

2023

5G-Aided RTK Positioning in GNSS-Deprived Environments
5G-Aided RTK Positioning in GNSS-Deprived Environments

Pinjun Zheng, Xing Liu, Tarig Ballal, Tareq Y. Al-Naffouri

EUSIPCO 2023 Conference

Apart from the localization techniques introduced by 5G/6G, GNSS has long been the dominant solution for positioning. With the rapid advancement of mobile radio localization technology, we envision a synergistic relationship with GNSS, where both systems are mutually enhanced, rather than merely replacing one another. In this paper, we investigate a user localization problem based on the integration of the GNSS RTK observations and 5G geometric channel parameters.

5G-Aided RTK Positioning in GNSS-Deprived Environments
5G-Aided RTK Positioning in GNSS-Deprived Environments

Pinjun Zheng, Xing Liu, Tarig Ballal, Tareq Y. Al-Naffouri

EUSIPCO 2023 Conference

Apart from the localization techniques introduced by 5G/6G, GNSS has long been the dominant solution for positioning. With the rapid advancement of mobile radio localization technology, we envision a synergistic relationship with GNSS, where both systems are mutually enhanced, rather than merely replacing one another. In this paper, we investigate a user localization problem based on the integration of the GNSS RTK observations and 5G geometric channel parameters.

Misspecified Cramer-Rao Bound of RIS-aided Localization under Geometry Mismatch
Misspecified Cramer-Rao Bound of RIS-aided Localization under Geometry Mismatch

Pinjun Zheng, Tarig Ballal, Hui Chen, Henk Wymeersch, Tareq Y. Al-Naffouri

IEEE ICASSP 2023 Conference

RIS is a key technology for future 6G networks, particularly for its substantial role in enhancing localization and sensing. However, current research often assumes perfect prior knowledge of RIS position and orientation, which is impractical in real-world scenarios. Before this work, the impact of overlooking these errors on localization and sensing performance remained unclear. This paper addresses this gap by providing a quantitative analysis of localization performance degradation due to RIS state information mismatch using MCRB theory.

Misspecified Cramer-Rao Bound of RIS-aided Localization under Geometry Mismatch
Misspecified Cramer-Rao Bound of RIS-aided Localization under Geometry Mismatch

Pinjun Zheng, Tarig Ballal, Hui Chen, Henk Wymeersch, Tareq Y. Al-Naffouri

IEEE ICASSP 2023 Conference

RIS is a key technology for future 6G networks, particularly for its substantial role in enhancing localization and sensing. However, current research often assumes perfect prior knowledge of RIS position and orientation, which is impractical in real-world scenarios. Before this work, the impact of overlooking these errors on localization and sensing performance remained unclear. This paper addresses this gap by providing a quantitative analysis of localization performance degradation due to RIS state information mismatch using MCRB theory.