Intelligent reflecting surface assisted MIMO communication system: A review

This paper presents a comprehensive literature review on the intelligent reflecting surface (IRS) assisted multiple input multiple output(MIMO) system. IRS is a new and key enabling technology that significantly improves the system performance and in combination with MIMO, it is considered to be the front runner for realizing the 6G networks. In this survey, we first discussed the basic concepts of the IRS and the following which we have discussed its advantages and possible applications. We have also provided an overview of the different applications of IRS assisted wireless networks and related issues in a very comprehensive way. The channel estimation protocols and the deployment strategies are reviewed and discussed thoroughly. It also highlights different applications, developed algorithms, and design considerations related to IRS assisted MIMO (IRS–MIMO) systems. And in the final section, we have discussed the research challenges and future research direction related to the IRS-MIMO system for realizing beyond 5G/6G networks. [Display omitted] •A comprehensive review of the IRS assisted wireless networks.•An extensive review of the IRS assisted MIMO communication (IRS–MIMO) systems.•Highlights the design aspect of IRS–MIMO and related applications.•A constructive analysis of channel estimation and IRS deployment strategies.•Summarized the developed/proposed algorithms.•Comparison between the IRS–MIMO with the existing communication technologies.•Highlights research direction/challenges in the field of the IRS–MIMO system.