Pinching Antennas: Principles, Applications and Challenges

TL;DR

The paper addresses the challenge of achieving robust LoS links and scalable antenna configurations in 6G, proposing pinching antennas as a flexible, low-cost solution realized by placing dielectric pins along a dielectric waveguide to create controllable radiating sites. It develops single- and multi-waveguide architectures (SWMAP/MWMAP) and demonstrates how reconfigurable channels enable novel MIMO designs and NOMA, yielding substantial performance gains over fixed-antenna baselines. The work further maps promising 6G applications such as ISAC, NGMA, SAGIN, and vehicular AI-enabled networks, and outlines key research directions in propagation modeling, topology optimization, channel estimation, uplink design, and ML-driven control. Overall, pinching antennas offer a versatile platform for adaptive, LoS-enhanced communication with potential for integration into diverse 6G scenarios and dynamic network architectures.

Abstract

Flexible-antenna systems, such as fluid antennas and movable antennas, have been recognized as key enabling technologies for sixth-generation (6G) wireless networks, as they can intelligently reconfigure the effective channel gains of the users and hence significantly improve their data transmission capabilities. However, existing flexible-antenna systems have been designed to combat small-scale fading in non-line-of-sight (NLoS) conditions. As a result, they lack the ability to establish line-of-sight links, which are typically 100 times stronger than NLoS links. In addition, existing flexible-antenna systems have limited flexibility, where adding/removing an antenna is not straightforward. This article introduces an innovative flexible-antenna system called pinching antennas, which are realized by applying small dielectric particles to waveguides. We first describe the basics of pinching-antenna systems and their ability to provide strong LoS links by deploying pinching antennas close to the users as well as their capability to scale up/down the antenna system. We then focus on communication scenarios with different numbers of waveguides and pinching antennas, where innovative approaches to implement multiple-input multiple-output and non-orthogonal multiple access are discussed. In addition, promising 6G-related applications of pinching antennas, including integrated sensing and communication and next-generation multiple access, are presented. Finally, important directions for future research, such as waveguide deployment and channel estimation, are highlighted.

Figures (5)

• Figure 1: (a) Pinching antennas on a dielectric waveguide, where the location of the pinching antennas can be adjusted to create communication zones in the surrounding area; (b) and (c) show the difference between conventional-antenna systems and pinching-antenna systems.
• Figure 2: Communication scenarios with a single waveguide. The waveguide of the pinching-antenna systems is deployed along the $y$ axis at a height of $3$ m, whereas the conventional-antenna system is placed at $(0,0,3)$. The indoor-mixed office (InMO) model 7434656 is used to determine the LoS probability.
• Figure 3: (a) Illustration of the MWSAP scenario, and (b) data rates achieved by multiple pinching-antenna systems and conventional-antenna systems.
• Figure 4: Promising applications of pinching-antenna systems.
• Figure 5: Illustration of future directions for research.