Adding dimensions to wireless systems with orientation-aware devices and reconfigurable antennas

This article examines candidate technologies that can jointly and rapidly improve the performance of wireless networks. Specifically, the rise of pragmatic reconfigurable antenna technology tailored to mobile devices offers new possibilities in establishing reliable communication links while limiting interference to nearby users. The operation of these systems can be enhanced by incorporating orientation information, which is readily available on most smart devices, into the allocation of wireless resources. Altogether, this article discusses the promise of improved network performance through the management of radiation patterns and more astute statistical signal processing. It also outlines several outstanding challenges that must be met for this vision to become reality.