zhen peng





University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA



Empowering Smart Radio Environments with Quantum Computing and Machine Intelligence


For the Next Generation (NextG) wireless, there has been a growing interest in employing reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs) to improve the spectrum and energy efficiency of wireless networks. Going beyond 5G and entering 6G, it is envisioned that large-scale, distributed RIS devices will be deployed at the surface of interacting objects, e.g. walls, windows, and furniture, in the wireless propagation channel. A joint optimization of wireless endpoints and distributed RISs would lead to a dynamically programmable and customized wireless environment, with a goal of providing enhanced coverage with high energy efficiency and supporting ultra-fast and seamless connectivity. However, traditional channel modeling and optimization methods struggle to address the vast configuration space and complex, dynamic interactions between RIS, the environment, and the wireless endpoints. In this talk, we will elaborate on the role of quantum computing (QC) in providing a scalable approach that overcomes the computational optimization complexity. In addition, we will explore the potential of machine intelligence in enabling real-time propagation analysis and 4D channel modeling for RIS-assisted wireless networks. These advances show a viable way forward for empowering the vision of smart radio environments in 6G.





Zhen Peng is currently an Associate Professor at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE ILLINOIS), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His research interests are in the areas of computational, statistical, and applied electromagnetics. The goal is to simulate classical and quantum electrodynamic physics with intelligent algorithms on state-of-the-art computers, where virtual experiments can be performed for the prediction, discovery, and design of complex systems at unprecedented scales. Recent applications of his research work include physical layer modeling and innovations in NextG Wireless, electrical analysis for heterogeneous integration, and intra-system EMI/EMC in complex electrical systems. Dr. Peng is a recipient of three IEEE Transaction Paper Awards (2024 IEEE EMC Richard B. Schulz HMTP, 2018 IEEE CPMT Best Transaction Paper Award, 2014 IEEE Antenna and Propagation Sergei A. Schelkunoff Transactions Prize Paper), eight Conference Paper Awards (IEEE EMC Symposium, 2024, 2018 EuCAP Best Electromagnetics Paper, 2022 EPEPS Best Conference Paper, 2021, 2019 ICEAA - IEEE APWC Best Paper, 2018 IEEE Workshop on SIPI, 2016), and multiple Young Scientist Awards. He has been the advisor for students who have received twelve Best Student Paper Awards at various conferences. In addition, he received the NSF CAREER award in 2018 and the ACES Early Career Award in 2015. He is also an IEEE Antennas and Propagation (AP-S) Society Distinguished Lecturer (2024-2026). Dr. Peng serves on the Board of Directors for The Applied Computational Electromagnetics Society (2019-2022), as Associate Editor for IEEE Trans. MTT (2018-2020), IEEE Trans. CPMT (2023), IEEE OJAP (2023- present), and conference chair and co-chair for the Conference on Electrical Performance of Electronic Packaging and Systems (2022, 2021).