Welcome note

On behalf of the Organizing Committee, it is our great pleasure to welcome you to Barcelona for the 29th International Workshop on Smart Antennas (WSA 2026), to be held from 5 to 7 October 2026.

Since its inception in 1996, WSA has built a remarkable tradition, deeply rooted in the German-speaking research community while steadily developing into an internationally recognized forum. WSA 2026 marks the first edition of the workshop to be held in Spain and only the second time it has ventured beyond the German-speaking countries, following the edition hosted by EURECOM in France in 2021. Against this background, it is a particular honour for CTTC to host WSA 2026. We are sincerely grateful to the Honorary Chairs, Wolfgang Utschick and Josef A. Nossek, for the trust they placed in our institution by entrusting us with the organization of this edition, as well as for their advice and guidance throughout its preparation.

When the first WSA workshops were held three decades ago, few could have imagined that smart antennas would remain so central to successive generations of wireless communication systems. While technologies and research questions have evolved considerably, the ability to intelligently exploit the spatial dimension continues to play a fundamental role in the design of advanced communication systems.

In preparing this edition, we have therefore sought to preserve WSA's original spirit and distinctive character while embracing the evolution of the field. The programme remains firmly grounded in smart-antenna research, while examining its role in emerging systems and technologies. These include non-terrestrial networks, terahertz communications, integrated sensing and communications, and the application of artificial intelligence to the design, operation, and optimization of smart-antenna systems. Through selected research contributions and invited talks from leading representatives of academia and industry, we hope to encourage rigorous technical discussion while opening the workshop to the new questions that will shape the future of the field.

We have also sought to retain the close-knit and discussion-oriented atmosphere that has traditionally distinguished WSA. Alongside the technical programme, we have designed a social programme intended to create genuine opportunities for participants to spend meaningful time together. Our aim is to encourage real conversations, lasting professional relationships, and a stronger sense of community. We believe this is particularly valuable for early-career researchers whose first academic experiences coincided with the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic and who had fewer opportunities to establish the personal connections that have always been at the heart of scientific exchange.

Barcelona, with its distinctive combination of scientific and technological activity, history, culture, and Mediterranean character, offers an excellent setting for this edition. We hope that the workshop will allow you not only to discover new research and exchange ideas, but also to renew existing friendships, establish new collaborations, and feel part of the WSA community.

The organization of WSA 2026 would not have been possible without the commitment of many people and institutions. We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the members of the Technical Program Committee and to all reviewers for contributing their time and expertise to maintaining the scientific quality of the workshop. We are equally grateful to the members of the Organizing Committee for their dedication, and to our industry sponsors-Rohde & Schwarz, Keysight Technologies, and Indra-for their generous support and commitment to WSA 2026.

Finally, we extend our warmest thanks to all authors, invited speakers, exhibitors, and attendees. Your contributions and participation are what give meaning to this workshop. We hope you enjoy the technical programme, the social activities, and your time in Barcelona, and that WSA 2026 provides many opportunities for inspiring discussions and lasting connections.

Welcome to Barcelona, and welcome to WSA 2026.

Dr. Miguel Ángel Vázquez General Chair, WSA 2026 Barcelona, September 2026