In 2021, reconfigurable intelligent surface technology made a series of breakthroughs. As a possible emerging paradigm in future wireless network research, reconfigurable intelligent surface is expected to be a way to flexibly control electromagnetic waves through programming so as to build an intelligent wireless environment. In this paper, key hotspots of reconfigurable intelligent surface technology in 2021 are summarized. By reviewing the integration of intelligent reconfigurable surface and advanced communication technologies, including multiple input multiple output technology, non-orthogonal multiple access technology, mobile edge computing technology and UAV communication technology, the future development of reconfigurable intelligent surface technology is discusssed.

reconfigurable intelligent surface  /  multiple input multiple output  /  non-orthogonal multiple access  /  mobile edge computing  /  UAV communication