# Optimizing Over-the-Air Computation in IRS-Aided C-RAN Systems

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2004.09168 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2004.09168/

## Key facts

- Cited by 5 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 20 Apr 2020.

## Built on by (most cited first, 5 of 5)

- [Accelerated Gradient Descent Learning over Multiple Access Fading Channels](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2107.12452/) (2021)
- [Edge-Native Intelligence for 6G Communications Driven by Federated Learning: A Survey of Trends and Challenges](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2111.07392/) (2021)
- [Federated learning and next generation wireless communications: A survey on bidirectional relationship](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2110.07649/) (2021)
- [Over-the-Air Federated Averaging with Limited Power and Privacy Budgets](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2305.03547/) (2023)
- [Over-the-Air Computation in OFDM Systems with Imperfect Channel State Information](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2307.05357/) (2023)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Over-the-air computation (AirComp) is an efficient solution to enable federated learning on wireless channels. AirComp assumes that the wireless channels from different devices can be controlled, e.g., via transmitter-side phase compensation, in order to ensure coherent on-air combining. Intelligent reflecting surfaces (IRSs) can provide an alternative, or additional, means of controlling channel propagation conditions. This work studies the advantages of deploying IRSs for AirComp systems in a large-scale cloud radio access network (C-RAN). In this system, worker devices upload locally updated models to a parameter server (PS) through distributed access points (APs) that communicate with the PS on finite-capacity fronthaul links. The problem of jointly optimizing the IRSs' reflecting phases and a linear detector at the PS is tackled with the goal of minimizing the mean squared error (MSE) of a parameter estimated at the PS. Numerical results validate the advantages of deploying IRSs with optimized phases for AirComp in C-RAN systems.