Optically Tuned Metasurface Reflector for Dynamic MMW Beam Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems struggle to consistently direct narrow microwave and millimeter wave beams towards a moving destination, especially when both the source and destination are in motion, requiring complex and costly control circuits.
Innovation Solution
A tunable microwave/MMW reflector using an electromagnetic metasurface with light-sensitive components, where the reflectivity is controlled by illuminating these components with light to adjust the phase-shift, allowing for quick and accurate beam direction adjustment without complex electrical circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional electrical control circuits are used to adjust beam direction, then beam direction control is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical control circuits with an optical control system. Light-sensitive components (photodetectors) convert optical signals into electrical signals that control the phase shifters, thereby adjusting the beam direction. This substitution of electrical control with optical control simplifies the overall device architecture and reduces complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light as an intermediary medium between the control system and the phase shifters. Instead of direct electrical control, optical signals serve as the intermediary that triggers the phase change in light-sensitive components, which in turn control the microwave beam direction. This intermediary approach decouples the control system from the RF system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex electrical control circuits are used for real-time tuning, then dynamic tuning capability is achieved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electrical control circuits with a simpler optical control system. Light-sensitive components provide the necessary tuning capability through optical excitation, eliminating the need for complex electrical switching networks and control logic, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from electrical voltage to optical intensity. By varying the intensity of incident light on the light-sensitive components, the phase shift and consequently the beam direction can be dynamically tuned. This parameter change simplifies the control mechanism while maintaining adaptability.
3Device complexity
If light-sensitive components are used to control reflectivity, then hardware complexity is reduced, but control precision may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the reflector surface into multiple independently controllable unit cells, each containing light-sensitive components. This segmentation allows precise local control of the phase profile across the aperture, maintaining high beam direction precision while using simple optical control at each element level.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different regions of the reflector to have different phase shifts controlled by local light illumination patterns. This enables precise beam steering and shaping by independently controlling the optical input to each region, maintaining high precision despite simplified hardware.
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 reflector efficiently directs beams to a moving destination with minimal hardware complexity, compensating for manufacturing imperfections and enabling multiplexing or beam forming capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
each conductive patch in wired electrical connection with at least one light-sensitive electronic component having an electrical property that is dependent on a property (preferably the intensity) of light illuminating the light-sensitive component
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a method of reflecting a microwave/MMW beam in a desired direction with a reflector that comprises an electromagnetic metasurface and also to a microwave/MMW reflector. In some embodiments, the reflector is tunable by projecting light (in some embodiments, the projected light constituting an image) on a portion of a reflector that includes light-sensitive components. The projecting of the light controllably sets a value of an electrical property of at least one of the light-sensitive components, where the values of the electrical property of the light-sensitive components collectively determine the phase-shift that the metasurface induces in an incident microwave/MMW beam which induced phase-shift determines the direction in which the beam is reflected.