{"ID":2884372,"CreatedAt":"2026-06-01T04:54:23.091178241Z","UpdatedAt":"2026-06-01T04:54:23.091178241Z","DeletedAt":null,"paper_url":"https://arxiv.org/abs/2508.06952","arxiv_id":"2508.06952","title":"Extremely Large-Scale Dynamic Metasurface Antennas for 6G Near-Field Networks: Opportunities and Challenges","abstract":"6G networks will need to support higher data rates, high-precision localization, and imaging capabilities. Near-field technologies, enabled by extremely large-scale (XL)-arrays, are expected to be essential physical-layer solutions to meet these ambitious requirements. However, implementing XL-array systems using traditional fully-digital or hybrid analog/digital architectures poses significant challenges due to high power consumption and implementation costs. Emerging XL-dynamic metasurface antennas (XL-DMAs) provide a promising alternative, enabling ultra-low power and cost-efficient solutions, making them ideal candidates for 6G near-field networks. In this article, we discuss the opportunities and challenges of XL-DMAs employed in 6G near-field networks. We first outline the fundamental principles of XL-DMAs and present the specifics of the near-field model of XL-DMAs. We then highlight several promising applications that might benefit from XL-DMAs, including near-field communication, localization, and imaging. Finally, we discuss several open problems and potential future directions that should be addressed to fully exploit the capabilities of XL-DMAs in the next 6G near-field networks.","short_abstract":"6G networks will need to support higher data rates, high-precision localization, and imaging capabilities. Near-field technologies, enabled by extremely large-scale (XL)-arrays, are expected to be essential physical-layer solutions to meet these ambitious requirements. However, implementing XL-array systems using tradi...","url_abs":"https://arxiv.org/abs/2508.06952","url_pdf":"https://arxiv.org/pdf/2508.06952v1","authors":"[\"Haiyang Zhang\",\"Nir Shlezinger\",\"Giulia Torcolacci\",\"Francesco Guidi\",\"Anna Guerra\",\"Qianyu Yang\",\"Mohammadreza F. Imani\",\"Davide Dardari\",\"Yonina C. Eldar\"]","published":"2025-08-09T11:58:04Z","proceeding":"eess.SP","tasks":"[\"eess.SP\"]","methods":"[]","has_code":false}