Synergizing airborne non-terrestrial networks and reconfigurable intelligent surfaces-aided 6G IoT

On the one hand, Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RISs) emerge as a promising solution to meet the demand for higher data rates, improved coverage, and efficient spectrum utilization. On the other hand, Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs) offer unprecedented possibilities for global connectivity. Moreover, the NTN can also support the upsurge in the number of Internet of Things (IoT) devices by providing reliable and ubiquitous connectivity. Although NTNs have shown promising results, there are several challenges associated with their usage, such as signal propagation delays, interference, security, etc. In this article, we have discussed the possibilities of integrating RIS with an NTN platform to overcome the issues associated with NTN. Furthermore, through experimental validation, we have demonstrated that the RIS-assisted NTN can play a pivotal role in improving the performance of the entire communication system.