mlsanityData to 7 Oct 2026

Learning to Reflect: Hierarchical Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning for CSI-Free mmWave Beam-Focusing

arXiv 2603.07370 ↗First posted 7 Mar 2026cs.LGcited by 0

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Abstract (arXiv)

Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces promise to transform wireless environments, yet practical deployment is hindered by the prohibitive overhead of Channel State Information (CSI) estimation and the dimensionality explosion inherent in centralized optimization. This paper proposes a Hierarchical Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning (HMARL) framework for the control of mechanically reconfigurable reflective surfaces in millimeter-wave (mmWave) systems. We introduce a "CSI-free" paradigm that substitutes pilot-based channel estimation with readily available user localization data. To manage the massive combinatorial action space, the proposed architecture utilizes Multi-Agent Proximal Policy Optimization (MAPPO) under a Centralized Training with Decentralized Execution (CTDE) paradigm. The proposed architecture decomposes the control problem into two abstraction levels: a high-level controller for user-to-reflector allocation and decentralized low-level controllers for low-level focal point optimization. Comprehensive ray-tracing evaluations demonstrate that the framework achieves 2.81-7.94 dB RSSI improvements over centralized baselines, with the performance advantage widening as system complexity increases. Scalability analysis reveals that the system maintains sustained efficiency, exhibiting minimal per-user performance degradation and stable total power utilization even when user density doubles. Furthermore, robustness validation confirms the framework's viability across varying reflector aperture sizes (45-99 tiles) and demonstrates graceful performance degradation under localization errors up to 0.5 m. By eliminating CSI overhead while maintaining high-fidelity beam-focusing, this work establishes HMARL as a practical solution for intelligent mmWave environments.

Key facts. No citing papers in the map yet (data through 7 Oct 2026). Builds on 26 of its 47 references that are in the map. First posted on arXiv 7 Mar 2026.

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26 of 47 references.

References · 26

  1. 2017Proximal Policy Optimization Algorithmscited by 14,441
  2. 2017Multi-Agent Actor-Critic for Mixed Cooperative-Competitive Environmentscited by 1,519
  3. 2021The Surprising Effectiveness of PPO in Cooperative, Multi-Agent Gamescited by 903
  4. 2018Fully Decentralized Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning with Networked Agentscited by 189
  5. 2022Sionna: An Open-Source Library for Next-Generation Physical Layer Researchcited by 143
  6. 2020Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface Assisted Multiuser MISO Systems Exploiting Deep Reinforcement Learningcited by 38
  7. 2019Enabling Large Intelligent Surfaces with Compressive Sensing and Deep Learningcited by 20
  8. 2021HAVEN: Hierarchical Cooperative Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning with Dual Coordination Mechanismcited by 19
  9. 2022ALMA: Hierarchical Learning for Composite Multi-Agent Taskscited by 17
  10. 2022Pervasive Machine Learning for Smart Radio Environments Enabled by Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfacescited by 12
  11. 2020Deep Reinforcement Learning for Intelligent Reflecting Surfaces: Towards Standalone Operationcited by 11
  12. 2019Two-Timescale Channel Estimation for Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface Aided Wireless Communicationscited by 8
14 more
  1. 2021Active RIS vs. Passive RIS: Which Will Prevail in 6G?cited by 8
  2. 2021An Overview of Signal Processing Techniques for RIS/IRS-aided Wireless Systemscited by 8
  3. 2023Multi-Player Zero-Sum Markov Games with Networked Separable Interactionscited by 8
  4. 2019Coverage Enhancement for NLOS mmWave Links Using Passive Reflectorscited by 4
  5. 2021Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces: A Signal Processing Perspective With Wireless Applicationscited by 4
  6. 2019Channel Estimation for Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface Aided Multi-User mmWave MIMO Systemscited by 3
  7. 2024A Deep Reinforcement Learning Approach for Autonomous Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfacescited by 3
  8. 2024Insight Gained from Migrating a Machine Learning Model to Intelligence Processing Unitscited by 3
  9. 2024Guiding Wireless Signals with Arrays of Metallic Linear Fresnel Reflectors: A Low-cost, Frequency-versatile, and Practical Approachcited by 3
  10. 2025Signal Whisperers: Enhancing Wireless Reception Using DRL-Guided Reflector Arrayscited by 3
  11. 2021Practical Channel Estimation and Phase Shift Design for Intelligent Reflecting Surface Empowered MIMO Systemscited by 2
  12. 2022Codebook-Based Solutions for Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces and Their Open Challengescited by 2
  13. 2022Wireless Communication Using Metal Reflectors: Reflection Modelling and Experimental Verificationcited by 1
  14. 2023Channel Training and Estimation for Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces: Exposition of Principles, Approaches, and Open Problemscited by 1

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