Weighted Sum Rate Maximization in IRS-BackCom Enabled Downlink Multi-Cell MISO Network

This letter investigates intelligent reflecting surface backscatter communication (IRS-BackCom) assisted downlink multi-cell multiple-input single-output network for the first time. In such multi-cell network, each IRS instead of active transmit antennas serves as a cell base station (BS) to communicate with its single-antenna users through modulation and backscatter of ambient wireless signal from a power beacon (PB). To maximize weighted sum rate (WSR) of network subject to total power budget, coordinated multipoint transmission (CoMP) is implemented at the IRSs. By alternately optimizing the beamforming vectors at the PB and all the IRSs, the sub-optimal WSR is obtained. Simulations show the achievable WSR and verify the feasibility of the proposed IRS-BackCom enabled CoMP scheme.