Chained Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces for Signal Reflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electronic devices with wireless circuitry face limitations in achieving high data rates due to over-the-air attenuation and line-of-sight requirements for high-frequency radio-frequency signals, which can be obstructed by external objects.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a communication system using reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS) arranged in a relay or chained pattern to reflect wireless data between a wireless access point and user equipment, with each RIS forming specific signal beams to optimize data transfer paths and adapt to the movement of devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high-frequency radio-frequency signals are used to achieve higher data rates, then data rate is improved, but signal attenuation increases and line-of-sight requirements become more stringent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS) as intermediary elements that reflect and redirect high-frequency signals between transmitter and receiver. These surfaces act as mediators that enable signal propagation without direct line-of-sight, thereby maintaining high data rates while overcoming the inherent attenuation and line-of-sight constraints of high-frequency signals
2Reliability
If reconfigurable intelligent surfaces are deployed to overcome line-of-sight limitations, then communication reliability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the communication system into multiple independent reconfigurable intelligent surface units that can be separately deployed and configured. Each RIS unit handles specific reflection tasks, allowing the system to achieve high reliability through distributed intelligence while managing complexity by breaking down the overall system into manageable, modular components
Solution Approach 2:
The reconfigurable intelligent surfaces are equipped with self-configuration capabilities that enable them to automatically adjust their reflection patterns and beamforming parameters based on environmental conditions and communication requirements. This self-service functionality reduces the need for complex external control systems while maintaining high communication reliability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enhances data transfer efficiency by mitigating attenuation and line-of-sight issues, allowing for reliable communication even in obstructed environments by using RIS to redirect wireless signals effectively.
Implementation Method 1
The UE device and the AP may convey wireless data via reflections off each of the RIS's in the communication path in series
Data Source
AI summary
A communication system may include an access point (AP), a user equipment (UE), and a communication path between the AP and the UE having a series of reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS's). Each RIS may have a first beam pointing to a previous node and a second beam pointing to a next node in the communication path. Beams of routing RIS's and a beam from an end user RIS towards a last routing RIS may be set during calibration. The UE may perform beam discovery with the end user RIS. The UE and the AP may convey wireless data via reflections off each of the RIS's in the communication path. The beam of the end user RIS may be updated to track the UE device while the other the beams remain fixed. The beams may be calibrated using retroreflection and beam variation for each pair of RIS's up the communication path.