LiDAR-Enabled Spatial Awareness for Beamforming in IRS-Assisted Wireless Communication System

Intelligent reflecting surfaces (IRS) have emerged as a promising technology for fifth-generation and beyond wireless communication networks that enhances performance by intelligently manipulating signal propagation paths. Integrating spatial awareness into IRS operations, particularly in urban environments, presents a unique opportunity to optimize wireless communications dynamically. In this study, we propose a refined beamforming pipeline, incorporating real-time spatial adjustments based on light detection and ranging (LiDAR)-derived obstructions. The proposed model demonstrates significant improvements in achievable rates using IRS, highlighting its role in mitigating signal blockage effects. We also present an improved phase shift optimization algorithm, achieving a faster convergence speed and reducing computational overhead. The results highlight the effectiveness of integrating IRS and LiDAR technologies for vehicular networks, paving the way for adaptive beamforming techniques and facilitating the practical deployment of IRS-based systems.