Deployment optimization of multi-unit intelligent reflecting surface for wireless coverage enhancement

• The performance of multi-unit IRS deployment is analyzed in the context of wireless coverage enhancement. • A comparative study between IRS-assisted and SISO systems is presented to evaluate the impact of IRS technology on system performance. • The impact of IRS deployment parameters, including distance, height, orientation, and number of reflecting elements, is thoroughly investigated. • An optimization framework for IRS deployment is derived to jointly enhance wireless coverage and signal strength. • A comparative study between IRS-assisted and non-IRS setups in wireless networks has been demonstrated, highlighting the significant performance improvements enabled by an optimally deployed multi-unit IRS system. Intelligent Reflecting Surface (IRS) has emerged as a promising technology to enhance wireless communication by assisting signal propagation through reconfigurable reflective elements. By intelligently controlling the network environment, IRS improves signal strength and network coverage, making it essential for next-generation communication. This paper proposes a multi-unit IRS-assisted communication system to enhance network coverage and signal strength. The procedure is followed by an analysis of the effect of IRS on Single Input Single Output (SISO) system and validation of the impact of deployment parameters. The proposed scheme comprehensively optimizes the location, height, orientation, and number of IRS elements in a multi-unit IRS-assisted system. Simulation results demonstrate the effects of IRS on SISO systems through a comparative analysis of required transmitted power and data rate, as well as the impact of deployment parameters such as IRS location, height, orientation, and number of IRS elements on the required transmitted power. Furthermore, the proposed multi-unit IRS demonstrates significant improvements in network coverage and signal strength. Comparative analysis against non-IRS baselines further highlights the performance advantages of the optimally deployed IRS configurations.