Received 28 December 2024, accepted 16 January 2025, date of publication 20 January 2025, date of current version 23 January 2025.

Digital Object Identifier 10.1109/ACCESS.2025.3531637

Effect of Intelligent Reflecting Surface on WSN

Communication With Access Points Configuration
MAHMOUD Z. ISKANDARANI , (Member, IEEE)
Faculty of Engineering, Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Amman 19328, Jordan
e-mail: [email protected]

ABSTRACT As signal quality and communication channel reliability is critical for wireless communication,
and to overcome some of the negative effects affecting the transmitted signals and data, due to environment
and line-of-sight problems, and to enable internet based, on-line, and IoT applications, the use of Intelligent
Reflecting Surface devices (IRS) become critical. Thus, this work objective is to simulate, model, and analyze
parameters that are critical to the quality of transmitted signal over a wireless network and a WSN sensor
nodes arrangement. The successful simulation, mathematical modeling, and analysis used Signal-to-Noise
Ratio (SNR) as a calibrating parameter to enable design and optimization of a network consisting of WSN
sensor nodes, access points (APs), and IRS using two arrangements for the purpose of comparison between
direct communication (Nodes-APs), and indirect communication (Nodes-IRS-APs). This enabled direct and
indirect WSN sensor node communication and provided a comparison of how effective an IRS can be on
improving the Quality of links and communication channel in a wireless network. The work looked at three
distinct, but related cases of SNR covering IRS elements, access point numbers, and IRS location. Several
simulation runs are carried out, in order to show effect of geometrical distribution of WSN sensor nodes,
access points, and IRS, with averaging at the end to obtain an overall comparison between direct and indirect
communication paths, and to enable mathematical modeling, as random distribution is introduced in the
simulation. The simulation and subsequent analysis showed effectiveness of increasing IRS elements, and
access points on improving SNR, and proved that better SNR or optimum SNR can be obtained when the IRS
is at the center point within the application area. Exponential and incrementing function is found describing
both effect of IRS elements and access point numbers in relation to SNR. Also, higher SNR is found when
the IRS is at the center or middle lines compared to the corners. Mathematical expressions are developed,
and relation between access point number and number of IRS elements is established. This simulation is
critical in terms of design, as it shows the spread of the SNR values in relation to both WSN sensor nodes
and access points graphically and analytically.

INDEX TERMS SNR, IRS, WSN, wireless communication, access points, IoT, path loss.

I. INTRODUCTION exchange packets when they are in the near field. In these
Sensor nodes are spatially dispersed autonomous sensor networks, a sink, sometimes referred to as a base station (BS),
devices that make up Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs). serves as a gateway to link to the outside world [1], [2], [3].
These devices are self-contained systems with their own The fact that these little sensors are able to sense, com-
power source, processor, memory, sensors, and wireless net- pute, self-organize, and communicate makes them sensors.
working. They are, nevertheless, significantly constrained in A sensor is a tiny device that senses the surroundings, gathers
terms of memory, bandwidth, computing power, and energy. information, and processes it to produce meaningful data
Using multi-hop routing algorithms, the nodes regularly that may be utilized to pinpoint events nearby. These sensors
can be connected to form a network that interacts wirelessly
The associate editor coordinating the review of this manuscript and across radio frequency channels using mesh networking pro-
approving it for publication was Hosam El-Ocla . tocols. These homogeneous or heterogeneous sensor nodes
2025 The Authors. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
13380 For more information, see https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ VOLUME 13, 2025
M. Z. Iskandarani: Effect of IRS on WSN Communication With Access Points Configuration

are grouped together to form a wireless sensor network, wireless propagation. Thus, an IRS can be used between the
or WSN. Because they are inexpensive, compact, and simple WSN sensor Nodes and the access points in an IoT based
to install, sensor nodes can be positioned in large quantities network [12].
in an area that needs to be investigated [3], [4], [5], [6]. In conventional wireless communication systems, data
Wireless sensor networks present a novel approach in the is transmitted from a transmitter to a receiver across an
fields of sensor technology, communication systems, and data unpredictable propagation environment. Intelligent reflective
processing. Wireless sensor networks are made up of spatially surfaces (IRSs) are a promising option for real-time recon-
dispersed autonomous sensors that work together to monitor figurable propagation environments, as they will allow to
physical or environmental characteristics like temperature, improve communication rate and increase the number of
motion, pressure, humidity, and chemical concentrations. served users. An IRS is a real-time reconfigurable reflect
These sensors use wireless communication to gather, process, array that uses a large number of inexpensive passive com-
and send data to a central location for analysis and decision- ponents to strategically change the wireless propagation
making. However, because of their affordability, scalability, environment [13].
and adaptability, wireless sensor networks can be used for With the important exception that an IRS implements
a wide range of applications across multiple industries. The passive beamforming, which reflects the signal without
foundation of the IOT-based systems that surround us is amplification and allows only phase shifts to be added to the
heterogeneous WSN, which links a variety of intelligent incoming signals from the base station (BS) or directly for
sensors [7], [8], [9]. a WSN sensor nodes and then, to access points in order to
Due to the importance of link quality and communication minimize the IRS’s power consumption, the implementation
channel reliability between a WSN nodes, SNR may be used of an IRS-assisted system is similar to the use case for relays.
to measure communication effectiveness as a function of IRS-assisted communication can be used to improve the per-
the environment and geometrical distribution. Many other formance of traditional wireless communication systems. The
techniques, which include activity monitoring and learning signal strength and interference attenuation at the receiver
algorithms are proposed, but due to the energy limitations side can be significantly affected by installing an IRS in a
of WSN nodes, using such techniques will lead to marked structure [14], [15].
energy reductions [10].
One essential part of wireless sensor networks (WSNs) II. RELATED WORK
is cooperative energy harvesting wireless sensor networks. A recent study [16] based on previous research supported that
It exploits the broadcast nature of wireless communications wireless device performance is enhanced in propagation situ-
by making use of the possibility that a source signal intended ations using intelligent reflecting surfaces (IRS). The study
for one destination may be ‘‘overheard’’ at other nodes. These investigates the spectrum sensing capabilities of cognitive
nodes process the signals they receive and transmit them radio over contexts with IRS-assisted wireless propagation.
in the target’s direction. The loss of rate to the cooperating The work in [16] used Monte Carlo simulation to validate
wireless devices, general network interference, cooperation the effectiveness of IRS. This work proved the importance
assignment and handoff, system fairness, and transmit and and effectiveness of using IRS under different conditions,
receive requirements on the wireless devices are just a few with and without the use of access points. Thus, in general
of the difficult problems that need to be solved. In addition, agreeing with the study in [16].
a common issue in conventional communication networks is Researchers in [17] supported work carried out by [16] and
the harmful effect of transmitter sounds on route loss, which also emphasized the importance of communication channel
frequently leads to unusually high attenuation levels. These fading and the importance of SNR as a calibrating parame-
systems’ operational range is severely constrained by this ter. They work on resolving communication issues between
substantial attenuation, which also degrades the quality of RF primary user and secondary user that exist in the cognitive
transmission [11]. radio networks domain. The researchers reported that recent
A wireless sensor network (WSN), which is formed when work suggested that Intelligent Reflecting Surfaces (IRS)
several sensor nodes in an Internet of Things (IoT) sys- can be used to regulate the propagation channel for wireless
tem connect to an access point (AP), is extensively used in devices. Because IRS modifies the channel, it affects the
many real-world applications, such as wireless surveillance spectrum sensing within the cognitive radio networks. The
for public safety, event detection for emergency services, work in [17] proves the effectiveness of using IRS, with [18]
and monitoring of the external environment. To enhance the and [19] supporting the findings of [17] and focusing on
communication properties of a WSN and IoT based WSN, energy harvesting. This work added to the previous finding
an innovative method for improving the efficiency of wire- by [17], [18], and [19], by investigating in details, not only
less communication networks in smart radio environments is the effect of using IRS directly or through APs, but also,
used, which is the intelligent reflecting surface (IRS). It mod- effect of number of elements of the IRS and the number of
ifies the radio waves’ properties of scattering, reflection, and APs and their distribution, with SNR as a reference factor for
refraction to lessen the adverse effects of naturally occurring effectiveness comparison.

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Researchers in [20] looked at reconfigurable intelligent with different number of APs and sensors, distributed in
surface devices. They considered the cognitive cycle, spec- different formations. This enables proving of effectiveness
trum sensing having the most important role in cogni- of using IRS with reflecting elements and does emulates
tive radio-based dynamic spectrum management. The work adaptive systems approach in terms of physical changes due
in [20], considered reconfigurable smart surfaces to show to different number of IRS elements and different number of
great promise for enabling smart radio environments, as it APs. This work dives into more details with mathematical
improves signal coverage and spectrum management capa- model that can be correlated to any adaptive algorithm, with
bilities. Work in [21], supported the assumptions in [20] initial settings and their effect on SNR described in details.
and further considered the number of elements necessary to The work in [25] is also supported by [13] and [26] in
achieve optimum detection of signals, which should mitigate their review of IRS effect on radio waves, as the work consid-
the high demand for wideband services and the fragmenta- ered IRS to have great potential to overcome the drawbacks
tion of spectrum resources. The researchers in [21] realized of conventional antennas and strengthen wireless networks
that cognitive radio could be a solution to the shortage of for the future, as IRS modifies radio waves. The work
accessible spectrum. This work used a more detailed analysis, also stated that IRS technology improves network capac-
by correlating the number of IRS elements, number of APs, ity, energy efficiency, and signal coverage, thereby bringing
and sensor distribution to the effectiveness of using IRS as about a paradigm change. This work proved through detailed
cognitive radio spectrum enhancer. The work also looked at analysis and indirect link between SNR and consumed
the position of the IRS in relation to the APS and sensor energy the effectiveness of using IRS with different locations
devices and the overall effect on enhancing SNR indicator. investigated.
Researchers in [22] focused on WSN using smart fusion The effectiveness of using IRS with reliability and chan-
of cognitive radio technology to form cognitive radio sensor nel quality enhancement, is also mentioned in [27]. The
networks. Through dynamic spectrum sensing and spectrum researchers asserted that the introduction of intelligent
access, idle licensed spectrum can be used for communication reflecting surface (IRS) technology, wireless communica-
in an opportunistic manner, and the spectrum shortage that tion systems have undergone a significant transformation
conventional WSNs confront can be successfully mitigated, that has exciting prospects for improving the functional-
as stated by researchers. The work in [22] also focused on ity of Internet of Things (IoT) applications using wireless
the energy depletion issue and network lifespan. As energy sensor nodes. The work presented a thorough analysis of
is related to SNR, and spectrum efficiency, this work proved the performance of IRS-powered multi-agent IoT monitoring
that by using different arrangements of IRS, APs, and sensor systems. The researchers focused on selection criteria for
distribution, better SNR is achieved, thus lower energy is IRS units, using probability mode. The important role of
consumed, with slower depletion rate. IRS in wireless communication and channel reliability with
The work is supported by [23] and confirmed that intel- non-line-of-sight geometrics is also discussed in vehicular
ligent reflecting surfaces (IRS) can help wireless systems applications, as vehicles are regarded as mobile nodes, with
function better under different signal propagation situations. WSN sensor nodes in fixed positions [28]. This work and
The work in [23] focused on the evaluation of cognitive the detailed simulation and mathematical models presented
radio’s spectrum-sensing capabilities in wireless environ- within, greatly assist in evaluating communication channel
ments improved by IRS technology, using statistical model, state, through the investigation of SNR as an indicator associ-
which considered SNR as well. This work very much sup- ated with IRS at different locations, and with various numbers
ports the work in [23], with a much more detailed analysis of APs, and sensors.
including different number of IRS elements, different APs Applications of using intelligent reflecting surface devices
with random distribution, and different number of sensors, and reconfigurable intelligent surfaces for 5G and 6G appli-
with direct and indirect communication scenarios. cations is also discussed in [29], [30], and [31]. Researchers
The SNR factor is also discussed in relation to IRS and considered such devices as a promising technology that can
sensor networks in [24]. The work focused on that signal- be used to reconfigure wireless propagation ecosystems to
to-noise ratio (SNR) in wireless systems with fixed transmit improve the spectral effectiveness and energy-efficiency of
power that employ intelligent reflecting surfaces (IRS) has next-generation wireless communication systems. The reason
a one-degree-of-freedom chi-square distribution. In the sec- is due to the surfaces being made up of a large number of
ondary network of cognitive radios, where the secondary reflecting elements, and their phase shift can be properly
source modifies its power to produce little interference at the adjusted. This work focuses on effect of number of ele-
primary destination, IRS can be applied. The work discussed ments on effective communication through SNR and energy
adaptive systems and SNR in relation to IRS. The work is also consumption, with different phase shifts associated with the
supported by [25], which discusses power and cost, which elements forming the IRS.
analyzes an IRS assisted integrated sensing and communi- Researchers also looked at a wireless system with the pres-
cation system. This work investigated different scenarios for ence of access points, where communication through access
the location of the IRS and number of IRS elements, together points from sensor nodes is through the IRS [32], [33], [34],

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[35], [36]. The researchers discussed that virtual line-of-sight wireless communication network established using road side
links can be created between access points (APs) and the units and wireless sensor networks.
targets in the non-line-of-sight region by strategically placing In this research, Comprehensive analysis of communica-
IRSs around the access points to reconfigure the radio prop- tion efficiency between sensors and access points through
agation environment. This allows access points to execute IRS device is carried out. The work focuses on effect of num-
non-line-of-sight target sensing by analyzing the echo signals ber of IRS elements, IRS location, number of access points,
from AP-IRS-target-IRS-AP links. The work also considered as three main features, which can be characterized using SNR
SNR as a measuring parameter for reliable communication values, as an indicator of quality of communication.
channels. The works also considered variable number of IRS The work simulates and mathematically models the
elements and their effect on guaranteed energy and spectral effect of the following factors on SNR and communication
efficiency. This work investigated in details effect of presence effectiveness:
of APs and their number on communication effectiveness, 1. IRS Geometrical location.
and presented mathematical model associating that with the 2. Number of elements per IRS.
location of the IRS. 3. Number of access points (APs).
The ray tracing (RT) technique, which describes the path 4. Sensors and their distribution.
of electromagnetic waves as they travel through the com- The work indirectly relates SNR to the energy consumed
munication channel using geometrical optics, is usually the as the higher SNR, the less energy that would be consumed,
foundation of deterministic models. Researchers have used with lower rate depletion.
spectrum’s ray tracing to represent many wireless commu- The rest of this paper is divided as follows: Methodology,
nication settings. As the name suggests, rays are periodically Results and Discussion, Conclusions, References..
fired by the transmitter at one point in the scenario and picked
up by the receiver at another [37]. III. METHODOLOGY
RT is used for big and complicated surroundings, such With a set number of sensors, access points, and an intelligent
as vehicular communication using mmWaves. The method reflecting surface (IRS), the simulation mimics a wireless
takes a lot of time, but for high-directional antennas, it yields sensor network (WSN). Sensors in this WSN can commu-
accurate results. To improve the simulator’s performance and nicate with access points (APs) directly or through the IRS.
give accurate propagation characteristics of the environment, The approach is to first determine the corresponding signal
high efficiency and sophisticated acceleration 3D ray tracing strengths and signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) by computing
algorithms is used [38]. path losses based on a particular path loss exponent. Next, dis-
Without a doubt, in the age of digital communications, the tinct charts are created to display the SNRs and the network
world is changing. This creates opportunities for research structure. The object is to simulate effect of IRS positioning
and investment in new and exciting technologies that can on the communication channel parameters, and effect of the
boost customers’ data rates across all communication sys- communication parameters for the communication channel
tems, such as 5G and beyond cellular networks. The goal on the effectiveness of the placed IRS. In addition, a compar-
of 5G and other networks is to provide connectivity at any ison between the effective communication of relayed signal
time and from any location. These technologies can greatly through IRS and direct ones is simulated based on SNR values
increase network throughput, power, energy and spectral and path loss.
efficiency, and coverage by fusing the massive available The process carried out in the simulation is:
bandwidth in millimeter wave (mmWave) frequencies with 1. Specifying the number of IRS elements (maximum
the high multiplexing gains attained by large antenna arrays in 120).
multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems. Moreover, 2. Selecting Transmitter power (1).
large capacity and extremely dependable vehicle commu- 3. Determining noise power at the receiver (0.01).
nication would be crucial components of communication 4. Specifying path loss exponent (2).
networks after 5G [39]. 5. Applying random phase shift at IRS elements.
Researchers looked at the problem of vehicular commu- 6. Distribute WSN nodes (sensors) and Access Points
nication becomes more difficult when vehicles are on the within the pre-determined space (120m x120m) using
road and interacting with one another. Researchers summa- random distribution.
rized the state-of-the-art mmWave, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), 7. Position IRS with N elements.
and massive MIMO measurements and models, among other 8. Compute SNR under direct communication as a func-
novel technologies anticipated to play important roles in 5G tion of WSN sensors nodes and access points.
and beyond systems. They proposed that mmWave-based 9. Compute SNR under indirect communication (through
massive MIMO technology will improve service coverage IRS) as a function of WSN sensors nodes and access
by enabling ultra-precise beamforming and real-time chan- points.
nel estimation [40], [41]. The results obtained in this work, 10. Compute SNR for each WSN sensor node correlated
can definitely be applied to the vehicular environment, with with an access point as a function of distance between

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transmitter and receiver (for both direct and indi- TABLE 1. Nomenclature.
rect communication), WSN sensor node location, and
access point location.
11. Compute communication path gain with specified path
loss exponent for IRS transmitter and receiver, and for
direct communication transmitter and receiver.
12. Compute overall gain for the reflected signal off the
IRS surface, as in equation (1).
N
X IRS
gain (txIRS −rx) = gain (txIRS )i
i=1
∗ gain (rxIRS )i exp jθ shift


(1)
13. Compute signal powers (direct and indirect), as a func-
tion of transmitter power, direct gain of signal between
transmitter and receiver, and indirect gain of signal
between transmitter and receiver through IRS).
14. Compute SNRs (direct and indirect), as a function of
direct signal power, IRS signal power, and noise power.
15. Compute distances between each WSN sensor node,
IRS, and access point.
16. Compute gains using the path loss model.
17. Compute signal powers at the receiver for both direct
and indirect (through IRS) path.
powerdirect = power (tx) ∗gain (tx − rx) (2)
powerIRS = power (tx) ∗gain (txIRS −rx) (3)
18. Compute SNRs for both direct and indirect (through
IRS) path.
powerdirect
SNRdirect = (4)
powernoise
powerIRS
SNRIRS = (5)
powernoise IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
A. EFFECT OF NUMBER OF ELEMENTS
From equations (1), (3), and (5), equation (6) is
obtained. Tables 2 and 3 show the results of maximum SNR, both
 as a result of direct communication between WSN sensor
  N IRS
powerIRS  X nodes and through IRS, with IRS located in the middle.
SNRIRS = gain (txIRS )i Each Table shows five simulation runs for each set of IRS
powernoise
i=1
elements. The runs cover randomly places WSN sensor nodes
∗gain (rxIRS )i exp jθ shift



(6) and access points, with the location of the IRS fixed at {60,
60}, which is the middle point in the covered area of 120m
where;
by 120m.
θ shift = 2π κN IRS Table 4 shows the overall SNR (average)max with both
Direct and indirect (through IRS) communication considered.
and κ is a random variable The data in Table 4 clearly shows two things:
Equation (6) can be simplified as in equation (7). 1. Higher SNR for the communication path through IRS.
2. A sizable increase in SNR for indirect communication
 
N
X IRS
Gain (total)i exp jθ shift  as the number of IRS elements increases.


SNRIRS = P ratio 
i=1 Effect of random distribution of access points has a more
(7) marked effect on the tabulated direct path values in compar-
ison with the values for indirect communication, as the IRS
Thus, it is expected that the exponential function to be is set at a fixed position. In addition, due to the presence of
the dominant function affecting the characteristics of the many elements within the IRS, the randomness of both WSN
WSN sensor nodes-IRS-Access Point setup. Table 1 presents sensor nodes and access points, of less impact on indirect
symbols and variables definition. communication. Noting that each element in the IRS has a

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TABLE 2. SNR as a function of Direct Communication between WSN Figures 2 to 13. The Figures show both lowest SNR and
sensor nodes and Access Points with IRS located at {60, 60}.
highest SNR as a function of random distribution of WSN
nodes, access points around the centered IRS, with its variable
elements (N IRS ).

TABLE 3. SNR as a function of communication through IRS (between

WSN sensor nodes and Access Points IRS located at {60, 60}.

FIGURE 1. Relationship between number of IRS elements and average of

maximum SNR.

TABLE 4. Comparison of SNR values between direct and indirect

communication with IRS located at {60, 60}.

FIGURE 2. Network topology (NIRS = 20, SNRmax =−7.4 dB).

random angle, the effectiveness of IRS is clear, due to the

many elements it hosts.
The values for indirect communication (through IRS) can
be approximated as in equation (8), which shows an exponen-
tial relationship.
SNR (average)max = α exp (βN IRS ) (8)
where;
0.0013 ≤ α and β ≤ 0.03
FIGURE 3. SNR Mapping (NIRS = 20, SNRmax =−7.4 dB).
Figure 1 shows the relationship between average SNR
for maximum values and the number of IRS elements, Figures 2 to 13, show that the maximum SNR is a function
with examples of effect of Network topology and sen- of WSN sensor nodes and access point’s geometrical distribu-
sor distribution on the correlated SNR values presented in tion around the IRS device. Thus, randomness in distributing

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FIGURE 4. Network topology (NIRS = 20, SNRmax = 14.4 dB). FIGURE 7. SNR Mapping (NIRS = 60, SNRmax = 1.6 dB).

FIGURE 5. SNR Mapping (NIRS = 20, SNRmax = 14.4 dB). FIGURE 8. Network topology (NIRS = 60, SNRmax = 13.8 dB).

FIGURE 6. Network topology (NIRS = 60, SNRmax = 1.6 dB). FIGURE 9. SNR Mapping (NIRS = 60, SNRmax = 13.8 dB).

the sensors and access points, would results in a variation access points, more IRS elements, would result in higher SNR
of maximum SNR and SNR values in general. However, for values and better coverage. This is proved through taking
a fixed position and distribution of WSN sensor nodes and the average of five distributions per each number of IRS

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FIGURE 10. Network topology (NIRS = 120, SNRmax = 13.4 dB).

FIGURE 13. SNR Mapping (NIRS = 120, SNRmax = 18.0 dB).

nodes and through IRS, with IRS located in the middle.

Each Table shows five simulation runs for each set of access
points. The runs cover randomly places WSN sensor nodes
and access points, with the location of the IRS fixed at {60,
60}, which is the middle point in the covered area of 120m
by 120m.

TABLE 5. Effect of Number of Access Points (Direct Communication) on

SNR at location {60, 60}, N = 120.

FIGURE 11. SNR Mapping (NIRS = 120, SNRmax = 13.4 dB).

TABLE 6. Effect of Number of Access Points (Communication through

IRS) on SNR at location {60, 60}, N = 120.

FIGURE 12. Network topology (NIRS = 120, SNRmax 18.0 dB).

elements, to enable averaging out some of the random effects

and resulted in the expression in equation (8).

B. EFFECT OF NUMBER OF ACCESS POINTS

Tables 5 and 6 show the results of maximum SNR, both Table 7 shows comparison between direct and indirect
as a result of direct communication between WSN sensor (through IRS), which clearly shows two things:

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TABLE 7. Comparison of SNR values between direct and indirect

communication with IRS located at {60, 60}.

1. Higher SNR for the communication path through IRS.

FIGURE 15. Network topology ( Naccesspoints = 4, SNRmax = 9.9 dB).
2. A sizable increase in SNR for indirect communication
as the number of access points increases.
As the simulation runs are carried out at NIRS =120,
which from Table 3 shows the largest SNR, and with the
increase in access points, a snowball effect is noticed, with
multiplicative increase in the SNR values through the indirect
communication. Thus, it is worth looking into an optimum
design approach of IRS-AP design.
The values for indirect communication (through IRS) can
be approximated as in equation (9), which shows an exponen-
tial relationship.
SNR (average)max = γ exp ηN access points


(9)
where;
0.005 ≤ γ and η ≤ 0.4
Figure 14 shows the relationship between average SNR for
maximum values and the number of IRS elements, with FIGURE 16. SNR Mapping (Naccesspoints = 4, SNRmax = 9.9 dB).
examples of effect of Network topology and sensor distribu-
tion on the correlated SNR values presented in Figures 15
to 26. The Figures show both lowest SNR and Highest SNR
as a function of random distribution of WSN nodes, access
points around the centered IRS, with variable number of
access points (N access points ).

FIGURE 17. Network topology (Naccesspoints = 4, SNRmax = 17.6 dB).

Figures 15 to 26, further confirms that the maximum SNR

FIGURE 14. Relationship between number access points and average of
is a function of WSN sensor nodes and access points geomet-
maximum SNR. rical distribution around the IRS device.

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FIGURE 18. SNR Mapping (Naccesspoints = 4, SNRmax = 17.6 dB). FIGURE 21. Network topology (Naccesspoints = 8, SNRmax = 23.7 dB).

FIGURE 19. Network topology (Naccesspoints = 8, SNRmax = 14.9 dB).

FIGURE 22. SNR Mapping (Naccesspoints = 8, SNRmax = 23.7 dB).

FIGURE 20. SNR Mapping (Naccesspoints = 8, SNRmax = 14.9 dB). FIGURE 23. Network topology (Naccesspoints = 12, SNRmax = 26 dB).

Thus, randomness in distributing the sensors and access SNR values in general. However, for a fixed position and
points, would results in a variation of maximum SNR and distribution of WSN sensor nodes and access points, higher

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of five distributions per each number of access point devices,

to enable averaging out some of the random effects. At geo-
metrical position {60, 60}, with 6 access points, and 120
IRS elements, equations (8) and (9) can be equated. Thus,
producing equation (10)
αexp (βN IRS ) = γ exp ηN access points


(10)
From equation (10), equation (11) is produced.
γ   η 
N IRS = N access points (11)
α β
Equation (11) can be used as a design equation, to enable
optimization of SNR using the optimization parameters, as a
function of IRS elements and access points.

C. EFFECT OF IRS LOCATION

FIGURE 24. SNR Mapping (Naccesspoints = 12, SNRmax = 26dB).
Tables 8 to 11 show the results of maximum SNR, both as
a result of direct communication between WSN sensor nodes
and through IRS, with IRS location is the affecting parameter.
Each Table shows five simulation runs for each set of access
points. The runs cover randomly places WSN sensor nodes
and access points.

TABLE 8. Effect of IRS location (Direct Communication path): IRS at the

corners.

FIGURE 25. Network topology (Naccesspoints = 12, SNRmax = 753.1).

TABLE 9. Effect of IRS location (Direct Communication path):IRS at

Middle Side Lines and Middle.

From Tables 10 and 9, it is clear that there is a marked

effect on SNR as a function of IRS location, as Table 10 shows
FIGURE 26. SNR Mapping (Naccesspoints = 8, SNRmax = 753.1).
lower SNR values (IRS placed at the corners), compared to
the values associated with the IRS located at the middle side
number of access points would result in higher SNR values lines. This is due to the level of exposure of the IRS to the
and better coverage. This is proved through taking the average access points, used to carry out communication from and to

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TABLE 10. Effect of IRS location (Communication through IRS): CORNER

IRS.

TABLE 11. Effect of IRS location (Communication through IRS):Middle FIGURE 27. Effect of IRS location on SNR.
Side Lines and Middle IRS.

the WSN sensor nodes. It is also noticeable that the maximum

SNR is related to the IRS location in the middle of the area
under consideration. If symmetry is assumed, and even with FIGURE 28. Network topology (IRSlocation = {0,0}, SNRmax =−7dB).
the random distribution of WSN sensor nodes and access
points, effect of IRS location can be established by taking the
average SNR values of the corners and the average values
of the SNR associated with middle side line locations, each
as a group and establish a relating coefficient, which relates
SNR at the center location to other SNR values at different
locations., as in equation (12).

SNR (average)(center)max = 2ψ∗SNR (average)max

ψ = 1for side IRS
ψ = 6for corner IRS (12)

From equation (12), the SNR distribution of sensors, access

points, will be within the 1 to 6 range.
The direct path communication would not be affected,
as the IRS path is the affected path in this case
Figure 27 shows a comparison between the three main IRS FIGURE 29. SNR Mapping (IRSlocation = {0,0}, SNRmax =−7 dB).
locations considered in the simulation.
Figures 28 to 35 show examples of the three main IRS mobility, multipath fading, and changing environments, it is
locations under consideration. of high priority to provide quality-of-service. Thus, attaining
The shown network topology clearly proves that the distri- optimal system performance and quality requires increasing
bution of WSN sensor nodes and access points around an IRS, energy efficiency, which related to SNR of the communica-
has a marked effect on the SNR values. The previous results tion channel.
will help in future wireless communication system design To assess the energy efficiency performances of wireless
which, take into account random diversity of propagation communication systems, bit energy—the energy needed to
channels and the limited availability of energy resources. safely transmit one bit of information. Specifically, mini-
As wireless channels are time-varying and stochastic due to mizing bit energy is equal to optimizing energy efficiency

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 M. Z. Iskandarani: Effect of IRS on WSN Communication With Access Points Configuration

FIGURE 30. Network topology (IRSlocation = {0,0}, SNRmax = 12.8 dB).

FIGURE 33. SNR Mapping (IRSlocation = {0,60}, SNRmax = 10 dB).

FIGURE 31. SNR Mapping (IRSlocation = {0,0}, SNRmax = 12.8 dB).

FIGURE 34. Network topology (IRSlocation = {0,60}, SNRmax = 14.6 dB).

FIGURE 32. Network topology (IRSlocation = {0,60}, SNRmax = 10 dB). FIGURE 35. SNR Mapping (IRSlocation = {0,60}, SNRmax = 14.6 dB).

when a system functions at low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) relationships as described by bit energy and power equa-
levels, such as in the low-power or wideband communication tions (2) to (6), make it easier to calculate the energy needed
systems. These analytical discoveries and energy and power to reach a given spectral efficiency. However, it is important

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M. Z. Iskandarani: Effect of IRS on WSN Communication With Access Points Configuration

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together with neural networks. He is currently a Full Professor with
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Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Amman, Jordan, lecturing postgraduates in
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