Publications

An up-to-date list of my publications can be found on my Google Scholar profile or my ResearchGate profile.

Preprints (In Submission)

[P5] R. Xu, Z. Yang, Y. Mao, C. Huang, Q. Yang, L., W. Xu, and Z. Zhang, "Green probabilistic semantic communication over wireless networks," 2408.11446 (2024). [arXiv]

[P4] J. Park, J. Seong, J. Ryu, Y. Mao, and W Shin, "A bistatic ISAC framework for LEO satellite systems: A rate-splitting approach," 2407.08923 (2024). [arXiv]

[P3] J. Xu, and Y. Mao, "Max-min fairness for uplink rate-splitting multiple access with finite blocklength," arXiv:2402.12066 (2024). [arXiv]

[P2] T. Fang, and Y. Mao, "Optimal beamforming structure and efficient optimization algorithms for generalized multi-group multicast beamforming optimization," arXiv:2312.16559 (2023). [arXiv]

[P1] X. Du, J. Wang, X. Zhou, and Y. Mao, "A bi-level globalization strategy for non-convex consensus ADMM and ALADIN," arXiv:2309.02660 (2023). [arXiv]

Book Chapter

[B3] K. Chen, Y. Mao, W. Shin, B. Clerckx, "Multiple Access for Integrated Sensing and Communications," in: A. Kaushik (eds) Integrated Sensing and Communications for Future Wireless Networks: Principles, Advances and Key Enabling Technologies, Elsevier, to be published, Jan. 2024.

[B2] Y. Wang, Y. Mao, Z. Yang, "Intelligent Transceiver Design for Semantic Communication," in: Y. Sun, L. Zhang, D. Niyato, M. A. Imran (eds) Wireless Semantic Communications: Concepts, Principles and Challenges, Wiley-IEEE.

[B1] Y. Mao, B. Clerckx, "Multiple Access Techniques," in: X. Lin, N. Lee (eds) 5G and Beyond , Springer, Cham.

Journal Papers

* Corresponding author.

2024

[J47] K. Zhao, Y. Mao*, and Y. Shi, "Simultaneously transmitting and reflecting reconfigurable intelligent surfaces empowered cooperative rate splitting with user relaying," accepted by Entropy, 2024. [arXiv]

[J46] S. Zhang, Y. Mao*, B. Clerckx, and T. Q.S. Quek*, "Interference management in space-air-ground integrated networks with fully distributed rate-splitting multiple access," in IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications (early access).

[J45] Y. Zhang, H. Zhao, Y. Mao, W. Xia, W. Lu and H. Zhu, "Rate-splitting multiple access in cell-free massive MIMO-URLLC systems: Achievable rate analysis and optimization," in IEEE Transactions on Communications (early access).

[J44] Y. Wang, Y. Mao*, and S. Ji, "RS-BNN: A deep learning framework for the optimal beamforming design of rate-splitting multiple access," accepted by IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, vol. 73, no. 11, pp. 17830-17835, Nov. 2024. [arXiv]

[J43] T. Fang and Y. Mao*, "Rate splitting multiple access: Optimal beamforming structure and efficient optimization algorithms," in IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications, vol. 23, no. 10, pp. 15642-15657, Oct. 2024. [arXiv]

[J42] Y. Xu, M. Wang, Y. Jia, Y. Jin, R. Ma, Y. Mao, and C. Yuen, "Robust beamforming and rate optimization for RIS-aided symbiotic radio systems with RSMA," in IEEE Communications Letters, vol. 28, no. 10, pp. 2328-2332, Oct. 2024.

[J41] H. Xia, Y. Mao, X. Zhou, B. Clerckx, S. Han and C. Li, "Weighted sum-rate maximization of rate-splitting multiple access with confidential messages," in IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications, vol. 23, no. 10, pp. 13738-13751, Oct. 2024.

[J40] S. Zhang, S. Zhang*, Y. Mao*, L. K. Yeung, B. Clerckx and T. Q. S. Quek, "Transformer-based channel prediction for rate-splitting multiple access-enabled vehicle-to-everything communication," in IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications, vol. 23, no. 10, pp. 12717-12730, Oct. 2024.

[J39] Y. Xu, L. Yin, Y. Mao, W. Shin, and B. Clerckx, "Distributed rate-splitting multiple access for multilayer satellite communications," in IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications, vol. 72, no. 10, pp. 6131-6144, Oct. 2024. [arXiv]

[J38] K. Chen, Y. Mao*, L. Yin, C. Xu, and Y. Huang, "Rate-splitting multiple access for simultaneous multi-user communication and multi-target sensing," in IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, vol. 73, no. 9, pp. 13909-13914, Sept. 2024. [arXiv]

[J37] Y. Huang, M. Dong, Y. Mao*, W. Liu, and Z. Gao, "Distributed multi-objective dynamic offloading scheduling for air-ground cooperative MEC," in IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, vol. 73, no. 8, pp. 12207-12212, Aug. 2024. [arXiv]

[J36] B. Clerckx, Y. Mao, Z. Yang, M. Chen, A. Alkhateeb, L. Liu, M. Qiu, J. Yuan, V. W.S. Wong, and J. Montojo, "Multiple access techniques for intelligent and multi-functional 6G: Tutorial, survey, and outlook," accepted by Proceedings of IEEE, vol. 112, no. 7, pp. 832-879, July 2024. [arXiv]

[J35] Y. Zhang, W. Ni, Y. Mao, B. Ning, S. Xiao, W. Tang, and D. Niyato, "Rate-splitting multiple access for covert communications," in IEEE Wireless Communications Letters, vol. 13, no. 6, pp. 1685-1689, June 2024.

[J34] J. Wang, Y. Mao*, T. Wang*, and Y. Shi, "Green federated learning over Cloud-RAN with limited fronthual capacity and quantized neural networks," in IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications, vol. 23, no. 5, pp. 4300-4314, May 2024. [arXiv]

[J33] J. Zhou*, W. Hou, Y. Mao, and C. Tellambura, "Securing medical sensor data: A novel uplink scheme with rate splitting and active intelligent reflecting surface," in IEEE Communications Letters, vol. 28, no. 3, pp. 493-497, March 2024.

[J32] Y. Shi, S. Xia, Y. Zhou*, Y. Mao, C. Jiang, and M. Tao, "Vertical federated learning over Cloud-RAN: Convergence analysis and system optimization," in IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications, vol. 23, no. 2, pp. 1327-1342, Feb. 2024. [arXiv]

[J31] A. Mishra, Y. Mao*, C. D'Andrea, S. Buzzi, and B. Clerckx "Transmitter side beyond-diagonal reconfigurable intelligent surface for massive MIMO networks," in IEEE Wireless Communications Letters, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 352-356, Feb. 2024. [arXiv]

[J30] T. Fang, and Y. Mao*, "A low-complexity beamforming design for beyond-diagonal RIS aided multi-user networks," in IEEE Communications Letters, vol. 28, no. 1, pp. 203-207, Jan. 2024. [arXiv] [code]

2023

[J29] F. Luo, and Y. Mao*, "A practical max-min fair resource allocation algorithm for rate-splitting multiple access," in IEEE Communications Letters, vol. 27, no. 12, pp. 3285-3289, Dec. 2023. [arXiv] [code]

[J28] J. Zhou*, W. Hou, Y. Mao, and C. Tellambura, "Artificial noise assisted secure transmission for uplink MIMO rate splitting healthcare systems," in IEEE Communications Letters, vol. 27, no. 12, pp. 3176-3180, Dec. 2023.

[J27] J. He, Y. Mao*, Y. Zhou, T. Wang, Y. Shi, "Reconfigurable intelligent surfaces empowered green wireless networks with user admission control," in IEEE Transactions on Communications, vol. 71, no. 7, pp. 4062-4078, July 2023. [arXiv]

[J26] Y. Xu, Y. Mao*, O. Dizdar, and B. Clerckx, "Max-min fairness of rate-splitting multiple access with finite blocklength communications," in IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, vol. 72, no. 5, pp. 6816-6821, May 2023. [arXiv]

[J25] A. Mishra, Y. Mao*, C. K. Thomas, L. Sanguinetti, and B. Clerckx, "Mitigating intra-cell pilot contamination in massive MIMO: A rate splitting approach," in IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications, vol. 22, no. 5, pp. 3472-3487, May 2023. [arXiv]

[J24] B. Clerckx, Y. Mao*, E. Jorswieck, J. Yuan, D. Love, E. Erkip, and D. Niyato, "A primer on rate-splitting multiple access: Tutorial, myths, and frequently asked questions," in IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications, vol. 41, no. 5, pp. 1265-1308, May 2023 (invited paper). [arXiv] (ESI Highly Cited Paper)

[J23] Y. Wang, D. Wen, Y. Mao, and Y. Shi, "RIS-assisted federated learning in multi-cell wireless networks," in ZTE Communications, vol. 21, no. 1, pp. 25–37, Mar. 2023. [pdf]

2022

[J22] B. Matthiesen, Y. Mao*, A. Dekorsy, P. Popovski, and B. Clerckx, "Globally optimal spectrum- and energy-efficient beamforming for rate splitting multiple access," in IEEE Transactions on Signal Processing, vol. 70, pp. 5025-5040, Oct. 2022. [arXiv]

[J21] Y. Mao, O. Dizdar, B. Clerckx*, R. Schober, P. Popovski, and H. V. Poor, "Rate-splitting multiple access: Fundamentals, survey, and future research trends," in IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials, vol. 24, no. 4, pp. 2073-2126, Fourthquarter 2022. [arXiv] (ESI Hot Paper and ESI Highly Cited Paper)

[J20] Y. Xu, Y. Mao*, O. Dizdar, and B. Clerckx, "Rate-splitting multiple access with finite blocklength for short-packet and low-latency downlink communications," in IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, vol. 71, no. 11, pp. 12333-12337, Nov. 2022. [arXiv]

[J19] A. Mishra, Y. Mao, O. Dizdar, and B. Clerckx*, "Rate-splitting multiple access for 6G -- Part I: principles, applications and future works," in IEEE Communication Letter, vol. 26, no. 10, pp. 2232-2236, Oct. 2022. [arXiv]

[J18] L. Yin, Y. Mao, O. Dizdar, and B. Clerckx*, "Rate-splitting multiple access for 6G -- Part II: interplay with integrated sensing and communications," in IEEE Communication Letter, vol. 26, no. 10, pp. 2237-2241, Oct. 2022. [arXiv]

[J17] H. Li, Y. Mao, O. Dizdar, and B. Clerckx*, "Rate-splitting multiple access for 6G -- Part III: interplay with reconfigurable intelligent surfaces," in IEEE Communication Letter, vol. 26, no. 10, pp. 2242-2246, Oct. 2022. [arXiv]

[J16] A. Mishra*, Y. Mao, Luca Sanguinetti, and B. Clerckx, "Rate-splitting assisted massive machine-type communications in cell-free massive MIMO," in IEEE Communication Letter, vol. 26, no. 6, pp. 1358-1362, June 2022. [arXiv]

[J15] G. Zhou, Y. Mao*, and B. Clerckx, "Rate-splitting multiple access for multi-antenna downlink communication systems: spectral and energy efficiency tradeoff," in IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications, vol. 21, no. 7, pp. 4816-4828, July 2022. [arXiv]

[J14] A. Mishra, Y. Mao*, O. Dizdar, and B. Clerckx, "Rate-splitting multiple access for downlink multiuser MIMO: Precoder optimization and PHY-layer design," in IEEE Transactions on Communications, vol. 70, no. 2, pp. 874-890, Feb. 2022. [arXiv]

2021

[J13] C. Xu*, B. Clerckx, S. Chen, Y. Mao, and J. Zhang, "Rate-splitting multiple access for multi-antenna joint radar and communications," in IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Signal Processing, vol. 15, no. 6, pp. 1332-1347, Nov. 2021. [arXiv]

[J12] O. Dizdar*, Y. Mao, and B. Clerckx, "Rate-splitting multiple access to mitigate the curse of mobility in (massive) MIMO networks," in IEEE Transactions on Communications, vol. 69, no. 10, pp. 6765-6780, Oct. 2021. [arXiv]

[J11] R. Reifert*, A. A. Ahmad*, Y. Mao*, A. Sezgin, and B. Clerckx, "Rate-splitting multiple access in cache-aided cloud-radio access networks," in Frontiers in Communications and Networks, vol. 2, p. 40, 2021. [arXiv]

[J10] A. A. Ahmad*, Y. Mao*, A. Sezgin, and B. Clerckx, "Rate splitting multiple access in C-RAN: A scalable and robust design," in IEEE Transactions on Communications, vol. 69, no. 9, pp. 5727-5743, Sept. 2021. [arXiv]

[J9] B. Clerckx*, Y. Mao, R. Schober, E. Jorswieck, D. J. Love, J. Yuan, L. Hanzo, G. Y. Li, E. G. Larsson, and G. Caire, "Is NOMA efficient in multi-antenna networks? A critical look at next generation multiple access techniques," in IEEE Open Journal of the Communications Society, vol. 2, pp. 1310-1343, 2021. [arXiv]

[J8] Y. Huang*, C. Hao, Y. Mao, and F. Zhou, "Dynamic resource configuration for low-power IoT networks: A multi-objective reinforcement learning method," in IEEE Communications Letters, vol. 25, no. 7, pp. 2285-2289, July 2021. [arXiv]

[J7] Y. Mao*, E. Piovano and B. Clerckx, "Rate-splitting multiple access for overloaded cellular Internet of Things," in IEEE Transactions on Communications, vol. 69, no. 7, pp. 4504-4519, July 2021. [arXiv]

2020 and Before

[J6] Y. Mao* and B. Clerckx, "Beyond dirty paper coding for multi-antenna broadcast channel with partial CSIT: A rate-splitting approach," in IEEE Transactions on Communications, vol. 68, no. 11, pp. 6775-6791, Nov. 2020. [arXiv]

[J5] Y. Mao*, B. Clerckx, J. Zhang, V. O. K. Li, and M. A. Arafah, "Max-min fairness of K-user cooperative rate-splitting in MISO broadcast channel with user relaying," in IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications, vol. 19, no. 10, pp. 6362-6376, Oct. 2020. [arXiv]

[J4] B. Clerckx*, Y. Mao, R. Schober, and H. V. Poor, "Rate-splitting unifying SDMA, OMA, NOMA, and multicasting in MISO broadcast channel: A simple two-user rate analysis," in IEEE Wireless Communications Letters, vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 349-353, March 2020. [arXiv]

[J3] Y. Mao*, B. Clerckx, and V. O. K. Li, "Rate-splitting for multi-antenna non-orthogonal unicast and multicast transmission: Spectral and energy efficiency analysis," in IEEE Transactions on Communications, vol. 67, no. 12, pp. 8754-8770, Dec. 2019. [arXiv]

[J2] J. Zhang*, B. Clerckx, J. Ge, and Y. Mao, "Cooperative rate splitting for MISO broadcast channel with user relaying, and performance benefits over cooperative NOMA," in IEEE Signal Processing Letters, vol. 26, no. 11, pp. 1678-1682, Nov. 2019. [arXiv]

[J1] Y. Mao*, B. Clerckx, and V.O.K. Li, "Rate-splitting multiple access for downlink communication systems: bridging, generalizing, and outperforming SDMA and NOMA," in EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking, vol. 2018, no. 1, p. 133, May 2018. [arXiv] [code] (received Best Paper Award of EURASIP JWCN 2022!) (ESI Highly Cited Paper)

Conference Papers

2024

[C30] K. Chen and Y. Mao, "Transmitter side beyond-diagonal RIS for mmWave integrated sensing and communications," IEEE 25th International Workshop on Signal Processing Advances in Wireless Communications (SPAWC), 2024. [arXiv]

[C29] J. Park, J. Seong, J. Ryu, Y. Mao, and W. Shin, "RSMA-based bistatic ISAC framework for LEO satellite systems," IEEE International Conference on Communications Workshops (ICC Workshops), 2024.

[C28] X. Feng, J. Zhang, J. Zheng, Y. Mao, and B. Ai, "Uplink performance of cell-free massive MIMO with rate-splitting," IEEE International Conference on Communications (ICC), 2024. [arXiv]

[C27] T. Fang and Y. Mao, "Optimal beamforming structure for rate splitting multiple access," IEEE International Conference on Acoustics, Speech and Signal Processing (ICASSP), 2024. [arXiv]

2023

[C26] Y. Wang, J. Zhu, Y. Mao, D. Wen, X. Tian and Y. Shi, "Hierarchical federated edge learning over space-air-ground integrated networks," IEEE Global Communications Conference (Globecom) Workshops, 2023. (received the Best Paper Award of IEEE Global Communications Conference (Globecom) in Edge Learning over 5G Mobile Networks and Beyond Workshop, 2023!)

[C25] K. Zhao, Y. Mao, and Y. Shi, "STAR-RIS assisted over-the-air vertical federated learning in multi-cell wireless networks," IEEE 98th Vehicular Technology Conference, VTC2023-Fall, 2023.

[C24] S. Wang, J. Wang, Y. Mao, and Z. Shao, "Online learning-based beamforming for rate-splitting multiple access: A constrained bandit approach," IEEE International Conference on Communications (ICC), 2023.

[C23] J. Wang, Y. Mao, T. Wang, and Y. Shi, "Green federated learning over Cloud-RAN with limited fronthaul and quantized neural networks," IEEE International Mediterranean Conference on Communications and Networking (MeditCom), 2023. (received the Best Paper Award of IEEE MeditCom 2023!)

[C22] J. Cao, L. Lian, Y. Mao, and B. Clerckx, "Adaptive CSI feedback with hidden semantic information transfer," IEEE International Conference on Acoustics, Speech and Signal Processing (ICASSP), 2023.

[C21] X. Zeng, Y. Mao, and Y. Shi, "STAR-RIS assisted over-the-air vertical federated learning in multi-cell wireless networks," IEEE International Conference on Communications (ICC), 2023. [arXiv]

[C20] X. Li, T. Wang, H. Tong, Z. Yang, Y. Mao, and C. Yin, "Sum-rate maximization for active RIS-aided downlink RSMA system," IEEE International Conference on Computer Communications (INFOCOM), 2023. [arXiv]

[C19] C. Tian, Y. Mao, K. Zhao, Y. Shi, and B. Clerckx, "Reconfigurable intelligent surface empowered rate-splitting multiple access for simultaneous wireless information and power transfer," IEEE Wireless Communications and Networking Conference (WCNC), 2023. [arXiv]

2022

[C18] K. Zhao, Y. Mao, Z. Yang, L. Lian, and B. Clerckx, "Reconfigurable intelligent surfaces empowered cooperative rate splitting with user relaying," 18th International Symposium on Wireless Communication Systems (ISWCS), 2022 (invited paper). [arXiv]

[C17] T. Fang, Y. Mao, S. Shen, Z. Zhu, and B. Clerckx, "Fully connected reconfigurable intelligent surface aided rate-splitting multiple access for multi-user multi-antenna transmission," IEEE International Conference on Communications (ICC), 2022. [arXiv]

[C16] S. Huang, P. Zhang, Y. Mao, L. Lian, and Y. Shi, "Wireless federated learning over MIMO networks: Joint device scheduling and beamforming design," IEEE International Conference on Communications (ICC), 2022. [arXiv]

[C15] H. Xia, Y. Mao, B. Clerckx, X. Zhou, S. Han, and C. Li, "Weighted sum-rate maximization for rate-splitting multiple access based secure communication," IEEE Wireless Communications and Networking Conference (WCNC), 2022. [arXiv]

2021

[C14] O. Dizdar, Y. Mao, Y. Xu, P. Zhu, and B. Clerckx, "Rate-splitting multiple access for enhanced URLLC and eMBB in 6G.," International Symposium on Wireless Communication Systems (ISWCS), 2021. [arXiv]

[C13] B. Matthiesen, Y. Mao, P. Popovski, and B. Clerckx, "Globally optimal beamforming for rate splitting multiple access," IEEE International Conference on Acoustics, Speech and Signal Processing (ICASSP), 2021, pp. 4775-4779. [arXiv]

[C12] L. Yin, B. Clerckx, and Y. Mao, "Rate-splitting multiple access for multi-antenna broadcast channels with statistical CSIT," IEEE Wireless Communications and Networking Conference (WCNC), 2021. [arXiv]

2020 and Before

[C11] Y. Mao and B. Clerckx, "Dirty paper coded rate-splitting for non-orthogonal unicast and multicast transmission with partial CSIT," 54th Asilomar Conference on Signals, Systems, and Computers, 2020 (invited paper). [arXiv]

[C10] O. Dizdar, Y. Mao, W. Han, and B. Clerckx, "Rate-splitting multiple access: A new frontier for the PHY Layer of 6G," IEEE 92nd Vehicular Technology Conference (VTC2020-Fall), 2020. [arXiv]

[C9] C. Xu, B. Clerckx, S. Chen, Y. Mao, and J. Zhang, "Rate-splitting multiple access for multi-antenna joint communication and radar transmissions," IEEE International Conference on Communications (ICC), 2020. [arXiv]

[C8] O. Dizdar, Y. Mao, W. Han, and B. Clerckx, "Rate-splitting multiple access for downlink multi-antenna communications: Physical layer design and link-level simulations," IEEE 31st Annual International Symposium on Personal, Indoor and Mobile Radio Communications (PIMRC), 2020. [arXiv]

[C7] A. A. Ahmad, Y. Mao, A. Sezgin, and B. Clerckx, "Rate splitting multiple access in C-RAN," IEEE 31st Annual International Symposium on Personal, Indoor and Mobile Radio Communications (PIMRC), 2020. [arXiv]

[C6] P. Li, M. Chen, Y. Mao, Z. Yang, B. Clerckx, and M. Shikh-Bahaei, "Cooperative rate-splitting for secrecy sum-rate enhancement in multi-antenna broadcast channels," IEEE 31st Annual International Symposium on Personal, Indoor and Mobile Radio Communications (PIMRC), 2020. [arXiv]

[C5] Y. Mao, B. Clerckx, and V. O. K. Li, "Rate-splitting for multi-user multi-antenna wireless information and power transfer," IEEE 20th International Workshop on Signal Processing Advances in Wireless Communications (SPAWC), 2019. [arXiv]

[C4] Y. Mao, B. Clerckx, and V. O. K. Li, "Rate-splitting multiple access for coordinated multi-point joint transmission," IEEE International Conference on Communications (ICC), 2019. [arXiv]

[C3] S. Zubair, S. Jangsher, Y. Mao, and V. O. K. Li, "Blockage-aware power allocation and relay selection in millimeter-wave small cell network," IEEE Annual Consumer Communications & Networking Conference (CCNC), 2019.

[C2] Y. Mao, B. Clerckx and V. O. K. Li, "Energy efficiency of rate-splitting multiple access, and performance benefits over SDMA and NOMA," 15th International Symposium on Wireless Communication Systems (ISWCS), 2018. [arXiv]

[C1] Y. Mao, B. Clerckx and V. O. K. Li, "Rate-splitting for multi-antenna non-orthogonal unicast and multicast transmission," IEEE 19th International Workshop on Signal Processing Advances in Wireless Communications (SPAWC), 2018. [arXiv]