Electromagnetic Information Theory: Fundamentals, Modeling, Applications, and Open Problems

Traditional single-input single-output and multiple-input multiple-output information theory adopt spatially discrete modeling, which does not fully capture the continuous nature of the underlying electromagnetic (EM) fields supporting the physical layer of wireless communication systems. Thus, it is of interest to examine the information-carrying capability of continuous EM fields, which motivates research on EM information theory (EIT). In this article, we systematically investigate the basic ideas and main results of EIT. First, we review the fundamental analytical tools of classical information theory and EM theory. Then, we introduce the modeling and analysis methodologies of EIT, including continuous field modeling, degree of freedom, mutual information, and capacity analyses. After that, several EIT-inspired applications are discussed to illustrate how EIT guides the design of practical wireless systems. Finally, we point out several open problems of EIT, where further research efforts are required for EIT to construct a unified interdisciplinary theory.