Intelligent reflecting surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radio-wave reflecting surfaces struggle with diffused reflections and interference between adjacent elements, leading to inefficient and unpredictable wave directionality.
Innovation Solution
An intelligent reflecting surface comprising radio-wave reflecting devices with an anti-reflective film that absorbs unwanted reflections and a mechanism to control the orientation of liquid crystal molecules for selective wave reflection, allowing precise directionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If radio-wave reflecting surfaces use adjacent reflecting elements, then the coverage area is increased, but diffused reflections and interference occur between elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful diffused reflections from the system by introducing an anti-reflective film that selectively absorbs radio waves. The film is positioned between adjacent reflecting elements to capture and eliminate the interfering reflected waves, allowing the reflecting elements to be placed closer together without causing interference, thus increasing coverage area while maintaining signal quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The anti-reflective film acts as an intermediary element between adjacent radio-wave reflecting elements. It mediates the interaction between reflected radio waves by absorbing the harmful diffused reflections while allowing the intended reflected waves to pass through, enabling dense packing of reflecting elements without interference.
2Measurement precision
If liquid crystal molecules are used to control wave reflection, then directional control is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in the dielectric constant of liquid crystal molecules to achieve precise control of radio wave reflection direction. By applying different voltages to the liquid crystal layer, the dielectric constant changes, which in turn changes the orientation of liquid crystal molecules and the phase of reflected radio waves, enabling dynamic directional control without complex mechanical structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms with an electric field-based control system using liquid crystal molecules. Instead of physically moving reflecting elements to change direction, the system uses voltage-controlled changes in liquid crystal orientation to achieve the same effect, significantly reducing device complexity while maintaining precise directional control.
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 solution enables efficient and controlled reflection of radio waves in desired directions, reducing interference and enhancing the functionality of large-scale reflecting surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
Since liquid crystal molecules have an anisotropic dielectric constant, the dielectric constant of a liquid crystal layer can be controlled by adjusting an electric field applied to the liquid crystal layer containing liquid crystal molecules
Implementation Method 2
the dielectric constant of a liquid crystal layer can be controlled by adjusting an electric field applied to the liquid crystal layer
Implementation Method 3
an anti-reflective film located over the adjusting substrate and configured to absorb radio waves
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an intelligent reflecting surface including a plurality of radio-wave reflecting devices, an adjusting substrate over the plurality of radio-wave reflecting devices, and an anti-reflective film located over the adjusting substrate and configured to absorb radio waves. Each of the plurality of radio-wave reflecting devices includes a pair of substrates and a plurality of radio-wave reflecting elements between the pair of substrates. The anti-reflective film has a lattice shape as a whole. An edge is covered by the anti-reflective film and a portion surrounded by the edge is exposed from the anti-reflective film in each of the plurality of radio-wave reflecting devices. A frequency of the radio waves is equal to or greater than 400 MHz and equal to or less than 50 GHz, for example.