Francisco Manuel Ribeiro

Abstract
Human Activity Recognition (HAR) is the identification and classification of static and dynamic human activities, which find applicability in domains like healthcare, entertainment, security, and cyber-physical systems. Traditional HAR approaches rely on wearable sensors, vision-based systems, or ambient sensing, each with inherent limitations such as privacy concerns or restricted sensing conditions. Instead, Radio Frequency (RF)-based HAR relies on the interaction of RF signals with people to infer activities. Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RISs) are significant for this use-case by allowing dynamic control over the wireless environment, enhancing the information extracted from RF signals. We present an Hand Gesture Recognition (HGR) approach using our own 6.5 GHz RIS design, which we use to gather a dataset for HGR classification for three different hand gestures. By employing two Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) models trained on data gathered under random and optimized RIS configuration sequences, we achieved classification accuracies exceeding 90%. © 2025 IEEE.

Abstract
Wi-Fi 6E will enable dense communications with low latency and high throughput, meeting the demands of ever growing network traffic and supporting emergent services such as ultra HD or multi-video streaming, and augmented or virtual reality. However, the 6 GHz band suffers from higher path loss and signal attenuation, and poor performance in NLoS conditions. Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RISs) can address these challenges by providing low-cost directional communications with increased spectral and energy efficiency. However, RIS designs for the WiFi-6E range are under-explored in literature. We present the implementation of an 8x8 RIS tuned for 6.5 GHz designed for scalability. We characterize the response of the unit cell, and evaluate the RIS in an anechoic chamber, measuring the far field radiation patterns for several digital beamsteering configurations in a horizontal plane, demonstrating effective signal steering. © 2025 European Association on Antennas and Propagation.

Abstract
This paper presents SpecRF-Posture, a novel low-cost approach for accurate Human Posture Recognition (HPR) using Radio Frequency (RF) signals. SpecRF-Posture leverages S21 parameters within the WiFi-6E frequency range for classification. We obtain a dataset of S21 parameters for different postures by performing beamscanning through mechanical rotation of a horn transmitter aimed at a reflective surface that illuminates the space of interest. We determine the S21 parameters of the signals that are then reflected back from the space onto an omni-directional receiver. Thus for each posture we attain the S21 parameters of each possible illumination direction of the space. Experimental results demonstrate that SpecRF-Posture achieves an accuracy of 99.17% in posture classification, highlighting its effectiveness. Additionally, an RF dataset was acquired using a software package for automatic data acquisition within the WiFi-6E frequency range, and both the dataset and the software package have been made publicly available.

Abstract
The notable expansion of technologies related to automated processes has been observed in recent years, largely driven by the significant advantages they provide across diverse industries. Concurrently, there has been a rise in simulation technologies aimed at replicating these complex systems. Nevertheless, in order to fully leverage the potential of these technologies, it is crucial to ensure the highest possible resemblance of simulations to real-world scenarios. In brief, this work consists of the development of a data acquisition and processing pipeline allowing a posterior search for the optimal physical parameters in MuJoCo simulator to obtain a more accurate simulation of a dexterous robotic hand. In the end, a Random Search optimization algorithm was used to validate this same pipeline.

Abstract
The robot presented in this paper was developed with the main focus on participating in robotic competitions. Therefore, the subsystems here presented were developed taking into account performance criteria instead of simplicity. Nonetheless, this paper also presents background knowledge in some basic concepts regarding robot localization, navigation, color identification and control, all of which are key for a more competitive robot.