A type of energy-information autonomously allocated energy-information simultaneous transmission metasurface

Abstract

This invention discloses a power-information co-transmission metasurface with autonomous power allocation, comprising a rectifier metasurface for energy harvesting and conversion, and a communication metasurface antenna. The rectifier metasurface includes a rectifier metasurface layer, a first dielectric substrate, and a rectifier metasurface metal ground plane. The communication metasurface antenna includes a communication metasurface antenna radiating layer, a second dielectric substrate, and a communication metasurface antenna feed layer. The first dielectric substrate is placed directly above the second dielectric substrate. The rectifier metasurface metal ground plane and the communication metasurface antenna radiating layer form the same layer and are located between the first and second dielectric substrates. All of the above components are fabricated using printed circuit technology on a double-sided copper-clad laminate dielectric substrate. The power-information co-transmission metasurface spatially separates energy and information, and achieves autonomous power allocation of energy and information by controlling the multiplexing structure dimensions. While ensuring signal transmission, it can transmit as much energy as possible, and has the advantages of low profile, compact structure, and easy processing, making it suitable for large-scale production.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of parallel transmission of microwave wireless energy and information, and particularly to a metasurface for simultaneous energy and information transmission with autonomous energy and information allocation. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of wireless communication and antenna and microwave technology, parallel transmission of energy and information has become possible. Wireless transceivers can perform reliable communication while completing energy transmission and collection. Energy and information transmission technology has broad application prospects in fields such as the Internet of Things, medical care and military detection.

[0003] The rectifier antenna is the receiving device in a WPT system. When the receiving antenna operates in dual polarization, it can distribute power for energy and communication through orthogonal polarization. However, the distribution ratio is fixed and cannot meet the practical requirement of "high energy, low communication". Although the power ratio of the input port can be adjusted by adjusting the feeder structure, the feeder structure is complex, has poor scalability, and has high losses. On the other hand, the size of the rectifier antenna element is usually larger than half a wavelength, which is too large for sensor devices operating in ISM, WLAN, and other frequency bands.

[0004] To meet the miniaturization demands of electronic devices, receiving and rectifying devices need to be small in size and lightweight, and their dimensions can be expanded to meet the power supply requirements of different devices. Electromagnetic metasurfaces, with their subwavelength dimensions and compact arrangement, offer a breakthrough for the miniaturization and compact array research of receiving devices. The radiating structure of communication metasurface antennas is similar to that of rectifying metasurfaces. Utilizing this characteristic, a compact rectifying metasurface and a communication metasurface antenna can be integrated into a single design, reusing some structural elements to achieve parallel transmission of energy and information, while autonomously controlling the power ratio of energy and information in the spatial domain. The overall structure is compact, with a low profile, and the array size can be expanded according to actual needs. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention relates to an energy-information co-transmission metasurface that autonomously allocates energy and information. While transmitting information, it simultaneously receives more microwave energy and converts it into direct current. Its unique structure spatially separates energy and information reception, and its power ratio can be autonomously controlled through structural dimension design. This allows sensor nodes, RFID devices, and other electronic equipment to be powered by receiving microwave energy while communicating, freeing them from battery limitations and enabling parallel energy and information transmission. The energy-information co-transmission metasurface not only controls the energy-information power ratio but also allows for array size design according to actual needs. It features a low profile, compact structure, and ease of fabrication, making it suitable for large-scale production.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the concept of this invention is as follows:

[0007] A novel rectifier metasurface is employed as both a microwave energy receiver and rectifier, while a communication metasurface antenna receives information. These two components are integrated into a single design, sharing a single metal layer. Utilizing the partial transmission characteristics of space, energy and information are simultaneously received. By controlling the dimensions of the multiplexed structure, autonomous allocation of energy and information power is achieved, ensuring information transmission while converting more received energy into DC power. The metasurface has variable dimensions, exhibiting compact structure, scalability, low profile, and ease of fabrication, making it readily conformable to electronic devices.

[0008] Based on the above concept, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0009] A power-independent and communication-independent metasurface includes a rectifier metasurface for microwave energy harvesting and conversion, and a communication metasurface antenna, arranged from top to bottom. The rectifier metasurface includes, from top to bottom, a rectifier metasurface layer, a first dielectric substrate, and a rectifier metasurface metal ground plane. The communication metasurface antenna includes a communication metasurface antenna radiating layer, a second dielectric substrate, and a communication metasurface antenna feed layer. The first dielectric substrate is placed directly above the second dielectric substrate. The rectifier metasurface metal ground plane is on the same layer as the communication metasurface antenna radiating layer and is located between the first and second dielectric substrates. All of the above components are printed circuits and are fabricated as a whole on a double-sided copper-clad laminate dielectric substrate.

[0010] The rectifier metasurface comprises a three-layer structure: a rectifier metasurface layer, a first dielectric substrate, and a rectifier metasurface metal ground plane. The rectifier metasurface layer is composed of periodically arranged and centrally symmetrical rectifier metasurface units. Each rectifier metasurface unit consists of a metasurface unit, a rectifier diode, and a filter inductor. Each metasurface unit is a square patch with diagonally etched slots, located above the first dielectric substrate. The rectifier metasurface unit can simultaneously receive horizontally polarized waves and vertically polarized waves, converting them into DC energy through the rectifier diodes, which then filter the energy and form a DC path. The rectifier metasurface metal ground plane is composed of periodically arranged square metal patches, each corresponding one-to-one with a rectifier metasurface unit.

[0011] The communication metasurface antenna comprises a three-layer structure: a communication metasurface antenna radiating layer, a second dielectric substrate, and a communication metasurface antenna feed layer. The radiating layer consists of periodically arranged square metal patches and is located above the second dielectric substrate. The feed layer consists of a coplanar waveguide slot-coupled feed structure and a signal output port, and is located below the second dielectric substrate. The signal output port is connected to the slot-coupled feed structure. The radiating layer receives electromagnetic signals and transmits them to the signal output port via the feed layer, where the received signal is output.

[0012] The rectifier metasurface unit, the communication metasurface antenna radiating layer, and the communication metasurface antenna feeding layer have effective dimensions; the characteristic impedance of the signal output port is 50 ohms.

[0013] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following obvious and prominent substantive features and significant advantages:

[0014] 1. This invention integrates the rectifier metasurface and the communication metasurface antenna into a single design, spatially separating the energy and information ports.

[0015] 2. The rectifier metasurface and the communication metasurface antenna share some structural components, making the array structure simpler and more compact.

[0016] 3. In the case of parallel transmission of energy and information, the ratio of energy to information power can be autonomously controlled by adjusting the size of the multiplexing structure to meet the needs of different applications.

[0017] 4. The rectifier metasurface unit is conjugate-matched with the rectifier diode, eliminating the need for a matching circuit and resulting in a compact structure. The rectification efficiency can reach 74.9% at a received power of 13dBm.

[0018] 5. Rectifying metasurfaces can receive electromagnetic waves of arbitrary polarization without the need for polarization alignment.

[0019] 6. The operating frequencies of rectifier metasurface and communication metasurface antennas can be selected and designed independently to meet the needs of different applications.

[0020] 7. A coplanar waveguide slot coupling feed structure is adopted, which shares the dielectric layer with the radiating patch, resulting in a lower array profile.

[0021] 8. The array has a flat panel structure with a low profile, allowing for expansion of the array size and easy integration with other electronic devices. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is an exploded view of the three-dimensional structure of the energy communication metasurface according to the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 The rectifying metasurface unit is the energy-information-co-transmission metasurface according to the present invention.

[0024] In the figure: 1. Rectifying metasurface; 2. Communication metasurface antenna; 3. Rectifying metasurface layer; 4. First dielectric substrate; 5. Rectifying metasurface metal ground plane; 6. Communication metasurface antenna radiating layer; 7. Second dielectric substrate; 8. Communication metasurface antenna feed layer; 9. Rectifying metasurface element; 10. Metasurface element; 11. Rectifying diode; 12. Filter inductor; 13. Square metal patch; 14. Slot-fed coupling structure; 15. Signal output port. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, based on the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0026] The above solution will be further described below with reference to specific embodiments. The preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below:

[0027] Example 1:

[0028] In this embodiment, to illustrate the structure and performance of this invention, an example of a 25-element metasurface is used, wherein both the rectifier metasurface and the communication metasurface antenna operate at 2.45 GHz. The array size, operating frequency band, and polarization of this embodiment do not limit the array size, operating frequency coverage, and polarization of the antenna claims of this invention. The rectifier metasurface element size is 0.13λ0, achieving a rectification efficiency of 74.9% when receiving 13 dBm of power. The communication metasurface antenna gain is 3.2 dBi. The overall profile is 0.06λ0.

[0029] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 2 A power-independent communication metasurface with autonomous power allocation includes a rectifier metasurface 1 for energy harvesting and conversion from top to bottom and a communication metasurface antenna 2. The rectifier metasurface 1 includes a rectifier metasurface layer 3, a first dielectric substrate 4, and a rectifier metasurface metal ground plane 5 from top to bottom. The communication metasurface antenna 2 includes a communication metasurface antenna radiating layer 6, a second dielectric substrate 7, and a communication metasurface antenna feed layer 8 from top to bottom. The first dielectric substrate 4 is placed directly above the second dielectric substrate 7. The rectifier metasurface metal ground plane 5 and the communication metasurface antenna radiating layer 6 form the same layer and are located between the first dielectric substrate 4 and the second dielectric substrate 7. All of the above parts are printed circuits and are fabricated as a whole on a double-sided copper-clad laminate dielectric substrate.

[0030] This embodiment integrates the rectifier metasurface and communication metasurface antenna into a single design, spatially separating the energy and information ports. The rectifier and communication metasurface antennas share some structural elements, making the array structure simpler and more compact. The energy-information co-transmission metasurface not only controls the energy-information power ratio but also allows for array size design according to actual needs. It boasts advantages such as low profile, compact structure, and ease of fabrication, making it suitable for large-scale production.

[0031] Example 2:

[0032] This embodiment is basically the same as Embodiment 1, except that:

[0033] In this embodiment, the rectifier metasurface 1 comprises a three-layer structure: a rectifier metasurface layer 3, a first dielectric substrate 4, and a rectifier metasurface metal ground plane 5. The rectifier metasurface layer 3 is composed of periodically arranged and centrally symmetrical 25-element rectifier metasurface units 9. Each rectifier metasurface unit 9 consists of a metasurface unit 10, a rectifier diode 11, and a filter inductor 12. The metasurface unit 10 is a square patch with diagonally etched slots, located above the first dielectric substrate. The rectifier metasurface unit 9 can simultaneously receive horizontally polarized waves and vertically polarized waves, which are converted into DC energy by the rectifier diode 11, filtered by the filter inductor 12, and form a DC path. The rectifier metasurface metal ground plane 5 is composed of periodically arranged 25-element square metal patches 13, each square metal patch 13 corresponding to one of the rectifier metasurface units 9.

[0034] The communication metasurface antenna 2 comprises a three-layer structure: a communication metasurface antenna radiating layer 6, a second dielectric substrate 7, and a communication metasurface antenna feed layer 8. The communication metasurface antenna radiating layer 6 is composed of periodically arranged 25-element square metal patches 13, located above the second dielectric substrate 7. The communication metasurface antenna feed layer 8 is composed of a coplanar waveguide slot-coupled feed structure 14 and a signal output port 15, located below the second dielectric substrate 7. The signal output port 15 is connected to the slot-coupled feed structure 14. The communication metasurface antenna radiating layer 6 receives electromagnetic signals and transmits these signals to the signal output port 15 via the communication metasurface antenna feed layer 8, where the received signal is output.

[0035] The rectifier metasurface unit 9, the communication metasurface antenna radiating layer 6, and the communication metasurface antenna feeding layer 8 have effective dimensions; the characteristic impedance of the signal output port 15 is 50 ohms.

[0036] The number of devices and processing scale described herein are for the purpose of simplifying the description of the invention, and applications, modifications and variations thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0037] This embodiment utilizes an energy-information co-transmission metasurface that autonomously allocates energy, simultaneously transmitting information and receiving more microwave energy, which is then converted into direct current. Its unique structure spatially separates energy and information reception, and its power ratio can be autonomously controlled through structural dimension design. This allows sensor nodes, RFID devices, and other electronic equipment to receive microwave energy for power while communicating, freeing them from battery limitations and enabling parallel energy and information transmission. The energy-information co-transmission metasurface not only controls the energy-information power ratio but also allows for array size design according to actual needs. It boasts advantages such as low profile, compact structure, and ease of fabrication, making it suitable for large-scale production.

[0038] In summary, the above embodiment describes an energy-information co-transmission metasurface with autonomous energy allocation. It includes a rectifier metasurface for energy harvesting and conversion, and a communication metasurface antenna. The rectifier metasurface comprises a rectifier metasurface layer, a first dielectric substrate, and a rectifier metasurface metal ground plane. The communication metasurface antenna comprises a communication metasurface antenna radiating layer, a second dielectric substrate, and a communication metasurface antenna feed layer. The first dielectric substrate is placed directly above the second dielectric substrate. The rectifier metasurface metal ground plane and the communication metasurface antenna radiating layer form the same layer and are located between the first and second dielectric substrates. All of the above components are fabricated using printed circuit technology on a double-sided copper-clad laminate substrate. This energy-information co-transmission metasurface spatially separates energy and information, achieving autonomous power allocation between energy and information by controlling the size of the multiplexing structure. While ensuring signal transmission, it can transmit as much energy as possible, and the array size can be designed according to actual energy and communication requirements. This energy-information co-transmission metasurface has the advantages of low profile, compact structure, and easy fabrication, and can be used for parallel energy-information transmission in IoT sensor nodes, medical and military detection applications, etc.

[0039] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Various changes can be made according to the purpose of the invention. Any changes, modifications, substitutions, combinations or simplifications made based on the spirit and principle of the technical solution of the present invention shall be equivalent substitutions. As long as they meet the purpose of the invention and do not deviate from the technical principle and inventive concept of the present invention, they shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A power-independent communication metasurface, comprising a top-to-bottom rectifier metasurface (1) for energy harvesting and conversion and a communication metasurface antenna (2); the rectifier metasurface (1) comprises, from top to bottom, a rectifier metasurface layer (3), a first dielectric substrate (4), and a rectifier metasurface metal ground plane (5); the communication metasurface antenna (2) comprises, from top to bottom, a communication metasurface antenna radiating layer (6), a second dielectric substrate (7), and a communication metasurface antenna feed layer (8); the first dielectric substrate (4) is placed above the second dielectric substrate (7); The rectifier metasurface metal ground plane (5) and the communication metasurface antenna radiating layer (6) are located on the same layer between the first dielectric substrate (4) and the second dielectric substrate (7). The communication metasurface antenna radiating layer (6) receives electromagnetic signals. The rectifier metasurface (1) and the communication metasurface antenna (2) reuse part of the structure and reuse a metal layer, so that the rectifier metasurface metal ground plane (5) and the communication metasurface antenna radiating layer (6) are located on the same layer. All of the above parts are printed circuits and are fabricated on a double-sided copper-clad substrate. The rectifier metasurface layer (3) is composed of periodically arranged and centrally symmetrical rectifier metasurface units (9); the rectifier metasurface unit (9) is composed of metasurface unit (10), rectifier diode (11) and filter inductor (12); the metasurface unit (10) is a square patch with diagonally etched slots, located above the first dielectric substrate (4); the rectifier metasurface unit (9) can simultaneously receive horizontally polarized waves and vertically polarized waves, which are converted into DC energy by the rectifier diode (11), filtered by the filter inductor (12) and form a DC path; the rectifier metasurface metal ground plate (5) is composed of periodically arranged square metal patches (13), which correspond one-to-one with the rectifier metasurface unit (9); The communication metasurface antenna radiating layer (6) is composed of periodically arranged square metal patches (13) and is located above the second dielectric substrate (7); the communication metasurface antenna feeding layer (8) is composed of a coplanar waveguide slot-coupled feeding structure (14) and a signal output port (15) and is located below the second dielectric substrate (7); the signal output port (15) is connected to the slot-coupled feeding structure (14); the communication metasurface antenna radiating layer (6) receives electromagnetic signals and transmits the signals to the signal output port (15) through the communication metasurface antenna feeding layer (8), and the received signals are output by the signal output port (15).

2. According to claim 1, the energy and communication metasurface with autonomous energy allocation has an effective size, wherein the rectifier metasurface unit (9), the communication metasurface antenna radiating layer (6), and the communication metasurface antenna feeding layer (8) have effective dimensions; and the characteristic impedance of the signal output port (15) is 50 ohms.

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