A wireless communication smart metasurface

Abstract

This utility model discloses a wireless communication smart metasurface, relating to the field of wireless technology. It includes an energy harvesting layer and a substrate support layer, with a signal modulation layer disposed between the energy harvesting layer and the substrate support layer. A transparent protective layer is disposed on the outer surface of the energy harvesting layer. A metal grounding layer and a heat dissipation structure are disposed between the signal modulation layer and the substrate support layer. The signal modulation layer includes a tunable metasurface, an active amplifier array, and an energy management circuit. The tunable metasurface is configured as multiple tunable metasurface units. A photovoltaic thin film layer is embedded into the gaps between the tunable metasurface units to effectively avoid electromagnetic wave obstruction and reduce electromagnetic coupling interference. An active-passive collaborative working mode is adopted to achieve dynamic switching and local signal amplification. A vertical stacking design is used to realize unit-level functions and improve integration. Simultaneously, thermal management is achieved through the grounding layer and heat dissipation structure, avoiding the impact of temperature rise on the liquid crystal response speed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of wireless technology, and in particular to a wireless communication smart metasurface. Background Technology

[0002] Smart metasurfaces are a breakthrough technology in wireless communication. With the rapid development of 5G communication, the Internet of Things and smart wireless environments, smart metasurfaces have become a research hotspot due to their low cost, low power consumption and high flexibility.

[0003] In existing technologies, smart metasurfaces mostly adopt a single passive or active design, relying on electromagnetic wave reflection from the environment. First, passive smart metasurfaces cannot actively enhance signal strength, resulting in severe signal attenuation during long-distance communication. Active smart metasurfaces, on the other hand, require external power supply, leading to poor deployment flexibility. Second, most smart metasurfaces only support single-dimensional control of phase or amplitude, making it difficult to meet the needs of complex scenarios, such as multi-user MIMO and polarization coding. Finally, the liquid crystals or microelectromechanical systems in traditional smart metasurfaces are easily affected by temperature and humidity changes, resulting in component performance drift and reduced stability.

[0004] Therefore, a wireless communication smart metasurface is provided to solve the above problems. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a smart metasurface for wireless communication that enables hybrid power supply, active-passive synergy, and three-dimensional integration, thereby solving the core bottlenecks of smart metasurfaces for wireless communication in terms of energy efficiency, regulation performance, and reliability, and providing a highly practical hardware solution for future wireless networks.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides a wireless communication smart metasurface, including an energy harvesting layer and a substrate support layer. A signal modulation layer is disposed between the energy harvesting layer and the substrate support layer. A transparent protective layer is disposed on the outer surface of the energy harvesting layer. A metal grounding layer and a heat dissipation structure are disposed between the signal modulation layer and the substrate support layer. The signal modulation layer includes a tunable metasurface, an active amplifier array, and an energy management circuit. The tunable metasurface is configured as multiple tunable metasurface units.

[0007] Preferably, the energy harvesting layer is configured as a photovoltaic-radio frequency energy harvesting module, which includes multiple photovoltaic thin film layers and multiple dual-band patch antennas. The number of photovoltaic thin film layers is the same as the number of dual-band patch antennas. The photovoltaic thin film layers are disposed in the gaps between adjacent tunable metasurface units, and the dual-band patch antennas are disposed at the bottom of the photovoltaic thin film layers.

[0008] Preferably, the active amplifier array includes a plurality of low-noise amplifiers, which are disposed between the tunable metasurface unit and the energy management circuit. The number of low-noise amplifiers is the same as the number of tunable metasurface units, and the low-noise amplifiers are correspondingly arranged with respect to the tunable metasurface units.

[0009] Preferably, the tunable metasurface unit includes a top ITO electrode, an intermediate cross resonator, and a bottom ground unit. A liquid crystal waveplate is disposed between the top ITO electrode and the intermediate cross resonator, and the delay characteristic of the liquid crystal waveplate is set to a quarter-wavelength phase delay. A liquid crystal tuning unit is disposed between the intermediate cross resonator and the bottom ground unit.

[0010] Preferably, the energy management circuit is configured as a multi-input DC-DC converter, the first input terminal of the multi-input DC-DC converter is connected to the top ITO electrode, the second input terminal of the multi-input DC-DC converter is connected to the dual-band patch antenna through a microstrip line, and the output terminal of the multi-input DC-DC converter is connected to the power supply pin of the low-noise amplifier through a copper pillar via.

[0011] Preferably, the transparent protective layer is a SiO2 protective layer or an Al2O3 protective layer.

[0012] Therefore, the wireless communication smart metasurface of this invention, employing the above-described structure, has the following characteristics:

[0013] Beneficial effects:

[0014] (1) This solution embeds the photovoltaic thin film layer into the gap of the tunable metasurface unit, which can effectively avoid electromagnetic wave blocking and reduce electromagnetic coupling interference.

[0015] (2) This scheme adopts an active-passive cooperative working mode. The tunable metasurface unit corresponds one-to-one with the low-noise amplifier. At the same time, the power management circuit is directly connected through the copper pillar through hole. When the energy is sufficient, the low-noise amplifier is activated. When the energy is insufficient, it switches to the passive reflection mode, which can realize dynamic switching and local signal amplification.

[0016] (3) This solution adopts a vertical stacking design to realize unit-level functions and improve integration. At the same time, it can effectively avoid the influence of temperature on the liquid crystal response speed through grounding layer and heat dissipation structure for thermal management.

[0017] The technical solution of this utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of a wireless communication smart metasurface according to the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a structural diagram of the signal modulation layer of this utility model;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a structural diagram of the tunable metasurface unit of this utility model.

[0021] The structure includes: 1. Energy harvesting layer; 2. Substrate support layer; 3. Signal modulation layer; 4. Transparent protective layer; 5. Metal grounding layer; 6. Heat dissipation structure; 7. Tunable metasurface; 8. Active amplifier array; 9. Energy management circuit; 10. Tunable metasurface unit; 11. Photovoltaic thin film layer; 12. Dual-band patch antenna; 13. Low-noise amplifier; 14. Top layer ITO electrode; 15. Middle layer cross resonator; 16. Bottom layer grounding unit; 17. Liquid crystal waveplate; 18. Liquid crystal tuning unit; 19. First input terminal of the multi-input DC-DC converter; 20. Second input terminal of the multi-input DC-DC converter; 21. Microstrip line; 22. Output terminal of the multi-input DC-DC converter; 23. Copper pillar via; 24. Power supply pin. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The technical solution of this utility model will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0023] Unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used in this utility model shall have the ordinary meaning understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this utility model pertains. The terms "first," "second," and similar terms used in this utility model do not indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but are merely used to distinguish different components. Terms such as "comprising" or "including" mean that the element or object preceding the word encompasses the elements or objects listed following the word and their equivalents, without excluding other elements or objects. Terms such as "connected" or "linked" are not limited to physical or mechanical connections, but can include electrical connections, whether direct or indirect. Terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," and "right" are used only to indicate relative positional relationships; when the absolute position of the described object changes, the relative positional relationship will also change accordingly.

[0024] Example

[0025] like Figures 1-3 As shown, this utility model provides a wireless communication smart metasurface, including an energy harvesting layer 1 and a substrate support layer 2. A signal modulation layer 3 is disposed between the energy harvesting layer 1 and the substrate support layer 2. A transparent protective layer 4 is disposed on the outer surface of the energy harvesting layer 1. The transparent protective layer 4 is configured as a SiO2 protective layer or an Al2O3 protective layer.

[0026] A metal ground layer 5 and a heat dissipation structure 6 are provided between the signal control layer 3 and the substrate support layer 2. The signal control layer 3 includes a tunable metasurface 7, an active amplifier array 8 and an energy management circuit 9. The tunable metasurface 7 is configured as multiple tunable metasurface units 10.

[0027] The tunable metasurface unit 10 includes a top ITO electrode 14, an intermediate cross resonator 15, and a bottom ground unit 16. A liquid crystal waveplate 17 is disposed between the top ITO electrode 14 and the intermediate cross resonator 15. The delay characteristic of the liquid crystal waveplate 17 is set to a quarter-wavelength phase delay. The liquid crystal waveplate 17 controls the fast axis direction by voltage to convert linear polarization into left-hand circular polarization or right-hand circular polarization.

[0028] A liquid crystal tuning unit 18 is provided between the intermediate layer cross resonator 15 and the bottom layer ground unit 16. The liquid crystal tuning unit 18 applies voltage to change the orientation of liquid crystal molecules, adjusts the equivalent dielectric constant, and realizes continuous control of phase and amplitude.

[0029] The energy harvesting layer 1 is configured as a photovoltaic-radio frequency energy harvesting module. The photovoltaic-radio frequency energy harvesting module includes multiple photovoltaic thin film layers 11 and multiple dual-band patch antennas 12. The number of photovoltaic thin film layers 11 is the same as the number of dual-band patch antennas 12. The photovoltaic thin film layers 11 are disposed in the gap between adjacent tunable metasurface units 10, converting ambient light into direct current and inputting it to the energy management circuit 9 through ITO electrodes 14. The dual-band patch antennas 12 are disposed at the bottom of the photovoltaic thin film layers 11, capturing radio frequency energy and transmitting it to the energy management circuit 9 through microstrip lines 21 after rectification.

[0030] The energy management circuit 9 is configured as a multi-input DC-DC converter. The multi-input DC-DC converter integrates photovoltaic and radio frequency energy and outputs a stable voltage. The first input terminal 19 of the multi-input DC-DC converter is connected to the top ITO electrode 14. The second input terminal 20 of the multi-input DC-DC converter is connected to the dual-band patch antenna 12 through the microstrip line 21. The output terminal 22 of the multi-input DC-DC converter is connected to the power supply pin 24 of the low-noise amplifier 13 through the copper pillar through-hole 23 to power the low-noise amplifier 13.

[0031] The active amplifier array 8 includes multiple low-noise amplifiers 13, which are disposed between the tunable metasurface unit 10 and the energy management circuit 9. The number of low-noise amplifiers 13 is the same as the number of tunable metasurface units 10. The low-noise amplifiers 13 are correspondingly arranged with the tunable metasurface units 10. They are activated when there is sufficient energy to compensate for signal attenuation. When there is insufficient energy, the system automatically switches to passive reflection mode.

[0032] Therefore, this utility model adopts a wireless communication smart metasurface with the above-mentioned structure, which solves the core bottlenecks of energy efficiency, regulation performance and reliability of wireless communication smart metasurfaces through hybrid power supply, active-passive synergy and three-dimensional integration, and provides a highly practical hardware solution for future wireless networks.

[0033] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solution of this utility model and not to limit it. Although the utility model has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can still be made to the technical solution of this utility model, and these modifications or equivalent substitutions cannot cause the modified technical solution to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solution of this utility model.

Claims

1. A wireless communication smart metasurface, characterized in that, It includes an energy harvesting layer and a substrate support layer. A signal modulation layer is disposed between the energy harvesting layer and the substrate support layer. A transparent protective layer is disposed on the outer surface of the energy harvesting layer. A metal ground layer and a heat dissipation structure are disposed between the signal modulation layer and the substrate support layer. The signal modulation layer includes a tunable metasurface, an active amplifier array and an energy management circuit. The tunable metasurface is configured as multiple tunable metasurface units.

2. The wireless communication smart metasurface according to claim 1, characterized in that, The energy harvesting layer is configured as a photovoltaic-radio frequency energy harvesting module, which includes multiple photovoltaic thin film layers and multiple dual-band patch antennas. The number of photovoltaic thin film layers is the same as the number of dual-band patch antennas. The photovoltaic thin film layers are disposed in the gaps between adjacent tunable metasurface units, and the dual-band patch antennas are disposed at the bottom of the photovoltaic thin film layers.

3. The wireless communication smart metasurface according to claim 2, characterized in that, The active amplifier array includes multiple low-noise amplifiers, which are disposed between the tunable metasurface unit and the energy management circuit. The number of low-noise amplifiers is the same as the number of tunable metasurface units, and the low-noise amplifiers are arranged correspondingly to the tunable metasurface units.

4. The wireless communication smart metasurface according to claim 3, characterized in that, The tunable metasurface unit includes a top ITO electrode, an intermediate cross resonator, and a bottom ground unit. A liquid crystal waveplate is disposed between the top ITO electrode and the intermediate cross resonator. The delay characteristic of the liquid crystal waveplate is set to a quarter-wavelength phase delay. A liquid crystal tuning unit is disposed between the intermediate cross resonator and the bottom ground unit.

5. The wireless communication smart metasurface according to claim 4, characterized in that, The energy management circuit is configured as a multi-input DC-DC converter. The first input terminal of the multi-input DC-DC converter is connected to the top ITO electrode, the second input terminal of the multi-input DC-DC converter is connected to the dual-band patch antenna through a microstrip line, and the output terminal of the multi-input DC-DC converter is connected to the power supply pin of the low-noise amplifier through a copper pillar via.

6. The wireless communication smart metasurface according to claim 1, characterized in that, The transparent protective layer is set as a SiO2 protective layer or an Al2O3 protective layer.

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