Intelligent reflecting surface (IRS) and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) have emerged as two promising technologies to boost the performance of wireless communication networks, by proactively altering the wireless communication channels via smart signal reflection and maneuver control, respectively. However, they face different limitations in practice, which restrain their future applications. In this article, we propose new methods to jointly apply IRS and UAV in integrated air-ground wireless networks by exploiting their complementary advantages. Specifically, terrestrial IRS is used to enhance the UAV-ground communication performance, while UAV-mounted IRS is employed to assist in the terrestrial communication. We present their promising application scenarios, new communication design issues as well as potential solutions. In particular, we show that it is practically beneficial to deploy both the terrestrial and aerial IRSs in future wireless networks to reap the benefits of smart reflections in three-dimensional (3D) space.

翻译：智能反射表面(IRS)和无人驾驶飞行器(UAV)已成为提高无线通信网络性能的两种大有希望的技术,通过智能信号反射和操纵控制,积极改变无线通信频道,但在实践中,它们面临不同的限制,限制其未来应用;在本条中,我们提出新方法,利用陆空综合无线网络的互补优势,在综合空地无线网络中共同应用IRS和UAV。具体地,地面IRS用于加强无人驾驶飞行器地面通信性能,而无人驾驶飞行器挂载的IRS被用于协助地面通信。我们介绍了这些无线通信频道有希望的应用情景、新的通信设计问题以及潜在的解决方案。我们特别表明,在未来无线网络中部署地面和空中IRS,从三维(3D)空间的智能反射中获益,实际上是有益的。