Engineers from the University of Glasgow have demonstrated a method that could remove one of the biggest roadblocks to 6G: electromagnetic interference. Using reconfigurable intelligent surfaces, or RIS, the team showed they can control, divert and amplify signals while suppressing EMI, preserving data integrity.

What You Need to Know

6G networks are expected to deliver speeds up to 100 times faster than 5G, but electromagnetic interference from billions of connected devices poses a critical challenge. Previous attempts to cancel EMI weakened the signal. The Glasgow approach uses programmable elements on a surface to shape signal paths, reducing both the computational load and energy cost on base stations.

The EMI Problem in 6G

Electromagnetic interference threatens the performance of future 6G networks, which rely on extremely high frequencies. Every connected device emits EMI, creating a noisy environment that degrades signal quality. Cutting through that noise traditionally required intensive digital signal processing at the base station, consuming significant energy.

How RIS Solves the Interference

The research team, led from the University of Glasgow’s James Watt School of Engineering, developed an EMI-aware framework. The system fingerprints interference, scans for the strongest signal path, and uses RIS elements to redirect signals away from EMI sources.

  • Energy efficiency: Shifting interference handling from base stations to the surface cuts computational burden.
  • Signal integrity: The RIS method avoids weakening the 6G signal while suppressing EMI.
  • Programmable control: Each element can be tuned individually, allowing precise wave manipulation.

“Previously, cancelling out this kind of interference meant the base station had to do a huge amount of intensive digital signal processing, and that computation is expensive in energy terms,” said co-author Jalil Kazim. “By placing an intelligent surface in the environment, we can shape the signal path in a way that helps handle the interference before it ever reaches the base station.”

Security and Privacy Implications

Beyond performance, EMI poses a security risk. The RIS technology can direct signals only to trusted users, denying access to unauthorized devices. Professor Muhammad Ali Imran, head of the James Watt School of Engineering and co-author, said: “Security, privacy and resilience are no longer optional extras in these networks but essential requirements. Our surface can direct the signal towards the users we trust and deny it to the ones we don’t.”

Why This Matters

Commercial 6G is expected to begin rollout in 2030. This breakthrough moves the industry closer to practical, energy-efficient networks that can handle massive device density. For consumers, it means faster, more reliable connectivity for everything from streaming to smart home devices and Internet of Things applications. For network operators, reducing energy costs at base stations is a critical economic gain. The RIS framework also strengthens security, making future networks more resilient against interference and unauthorized access.