Remote RIS Configuration for Millimeter-Wave Path Loss

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless networks using millimeter wave frequencies face high path loss and require high cell site density, making deployment expensive and impractical due to power drop-offs over distance, and repeaters are suboptimal due to power and installation requirements.

Innovation Solution

Deploy reconfigurable intelligent surfaces components that reflect signals using passive or near-passive reflectors, controlled remotely by a controller with machine learning to optimize signal propagation, eliminating the need for sensing and transmitting components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If millimeter wave frequency bands are used for communication networks, then capacity and speed are improved, but path loss increases and range decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication capacity and speedVSAvoidpath loss and signal power drop-off

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces intelligent reflecting surfaces as intermediary elements between base stations and user equipment. These surfaces passively reflect millimeter wave signals, acting as mediators that extend signal reach without requiring active transmission, thereby reducing path loss while maintaining high communication capacity and speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The intelligent reflecting surfaces create virtual copies of base station signals by reflecting them toward user equipment. This copying approach allows the system to achieve extended coverage and reduced path loss by deploying low-cost reflective surfaces instead of additional high-power base stations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Length of stationary object

If repeaters are deployed to extend signal range, then communication distance is improved, but power consumption and installation complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal transmission distanceVSAvoidinstallation and power requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential function of signal reflection from traditional repeaters, eliminating the need for power-consuming transmission components. By taking out just the reflecting element and making it programmable, the system achieves extended signal range with minimal power consumption and simplified installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The intelligent reflecting surfaces are designed as low-cost, easily deployable elements that can be installed on existing structures. These surfaces provide extended coverage without the high installation and maintenance costs associated with traditional repeaters, making them economically viable for widespread deployment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Length of stationary object

If traditional active repeaters are used for signal propagation, then signal range is extended, but power consumption and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal propagation distanceVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The intelligent reflecting surfaces are remotely configured and controlled by a central controller that uses machine learning to optimize signal reflection. The surfaces themselves consume minimal power, relying on the central controller to perform the computationally intensive tasks of signal analysis and configuration optimization, thereby achieving extended range with low local power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Reduces power consumption and design complexity, enabling scalable and cost-effective signal enhancement with improved signal-to-noise ratio and reduced signal degradation.

Implementation Method 1

reconfigurable intelligent surfaces component that comprises a plurality of cells configured to operate based upon tuning parameter values... reflect signals using passive or near-passive reflectors

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS12563433B2Dynamic remote configuration of a reconfigurable intelligent surfaces component

Publication Date: 2026.02.24 VERIZON PATENT & LICENSING INC

AI summary

One or more computing devices, systems, and/or methods for dynamic remote configuration of a reconfigurable intelligent surfaces component are provided. A controller is hosted remote to a reconfigurable intelligent surfaces network, such as within a cloud computing environment. The controller receives characteristics (e.g., signal degradation information from a base station and/or user equipment) of signals transmitted through the reconfigurable intelligent surfaces network between devices. The controller evaluates the characteristics to generate tuning parameter values to apply to cells of the reconfigurable intelligent surfaces component of the reconfigurable intelligent surfaces network. The controller transmits a control signal over a communication channel to the reconfigurable intelligent surfaces component for modifying operation of the cells using the tuning parameter values.