Composite Intelligent Surface Beam Steering With Phase-Controlled Unit Cells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) systems for real-time beam steering are bulky and space-consuming, limiting their efficiency in non-line of sight (LoS) communication systems, especially in IoT environments.
Innovation Solution
A composite reconfigurable intelligent surface (CRIS) system comprising a set of constituent reflecting surfaces arranged in symmetric or anti-symmetric configurations, connected to voltage control units for phase shifting RF signals, and controlled by a processor unit to achieve real-time beam steering, multi-beam reflection, polarization sensitivity, and two-dimensional beam steering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional RIS systems use metasurface design with active antenna elements and amplifiers to shape and control beams, then beam steering capability is achieved, but the system becomes bulky and space-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The RIS surface is divided into multiple independently controllable meta-atom units, each capable of individual phase adjustment. This segmentation allows the system to achieve beam steering functionality through coordinated control of discrete elements rather than requiring a bulky continuous metasurface structure with amplifiers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical amplifier-based beam control systems with a voltage-controlled phase modulation approach. By using varactor diodes or similar voltage-controlled components integrated into meta-atoms, the system achieves beam steering through electrical phase control rather than mechanical signal amplification, significantly reducing system size.
2Productivity
If RIS structures are deployed for real-time beamforming in IoT environments, then communication efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The RIS system is designed to perform multiple functions including beam steering, beamforming, signal reflection control, and interference management through a single integrated structure. The same voltage control mechanism handles various communication tasks, eliminating the need for separate dedicated devices for each function and thereby reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic voltage control of meta-atom phases to adapt real-time beam patterns according to communication requirements. This dynamic reconfigurability allows the same hardware structure to optimize performance for different scenarios without requiring multiple fixed-configuration devices, simplifying the system while improving communication efficiency.
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
The CRIS system enables efficient real-time beam steering and multi-beam reflection, enhancing communication capabilities in IoT environments while reducing bulkiness and improving spectral efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a set of voltage control units connected to the CRIS and configured for phase shifting the one or more RF signals
Implementation Method 2
controlling one or more radio frequency (RF) signals propagated from an external source of radiation to facilitate transmission or reception of a desired RF signal
Implementation Method 3
Each constituent reflecting surface is generated from an N * M array of a set of unit cells for reflecting the one or more RF signals in a desired direction
Data Source
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AI summary
This disclosure relates generally to a composite reconfigurable intelligent surface system for real time beam steering and method thereof. Conventional method for real time beam steering includes bulky systems with several antenna elements and amplifiers to shape and control the beam. The present disclosure provides a composite reconfigurable intelligent surface (CRIS) for real time beam steering. The CRIS is formed from a set of constituent reflecting surfaces which in turn are generated from unit cells. These unit cells are responsible for providing individual phase reflection performance utilizing the installed varactor diode in each unit cell. The CRIS can provide a) multi-beam reflection performance, b) polarization sensitive operation, c) 2D beam steering abilities, d) real-time beam control, e) null point reduction for beam shaping requirements and f) dependable pattern stability over a suitable range of frequencies.