Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface Beam Steering With Phase Sensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in maintaining reliable and high-data-rate connections due to signal obstruction by obstacles, as they struggle to accurately recognize transmitter and receiver positions, leading to inefficient installation of additional base stations and repeaters.
Innovation Solution
A reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) with a mesh arrangement of unit cells, including beam steering and sensing modules, that receives and processes phase information to estimate transmitter and receiver positions, adaptively steering beams and applying bias voltages to improve signal propagation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional base stations and repeaters are installed to improve signal coverage, then wireless communication reliability is improved, but installation costs and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) as an intermediary device that reflects and redirects radio waves between transmitters and receivers. This RIS surface acts as a mediator to improve signal coverage in obstructed areas without requiring additional base stations or repeaters, thereby maintaining communication reliability while reducing installation complexity and costs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs phase shifters and bias voltage control to dynamically adjust the phase and direction of reflected radio waves from the RIS surface. By changing these parameters in real-time, the system adapts to varying communication conditions and maintains reliable connectivity without physical infrastructure expansion
2Ease of manufacture
If reconfigurable intelligent surface is used to reflect signals, then installation costs are reduced, but the ability to recognize transmitter and receiver positions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the RIS surface receives information about transmitter and receiver positions and adjusts its phase configuration accordingly. This feedback loop enables the RIS to accurately track and respond to moving devices, maintaining position recognition capability while keeping installation costs low compared to traditional infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The RIS surface performs multiple functions: it reflects signals to improve coverage, tracks transmitter and receiver positions through phase analysis, and dynamically reconfigures beam directions. This multi-functionality allows a single low-cost device to replace multiple specialized components that would otherwise be needed for position recognition
3Device complexity
If fixed wireless communication channel is formed without position recognition, then system complexity is reduced, but adaptability to surrounding environment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a fixed wireless communication channel to a dynamic reconfigurable channel. The RIS surface continuously adjusts its phase and beam direction based on real-time position information of transmitters and receivers, enabling the system to adapt to moving devices and changing environmental conditions while maintaining manageable complexity through automated control algorithms
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
Enhances wireless communication performance by accurately reflecting signals to moving receivers, improving channel quality and reducing installation costs through adaptive beam steering and phase information processing.
Implementation Method 1
a reconfigurable intelligent surface may adjust the phase of a reflected radio wave and may form a desired form of beam by controlling the phase of a reflected wave
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of reflection unit cells configured to reflect at least one signal incident thereon in a direction set by the beam steering module
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of sensing unit cells configured to obtain phase information of the at least one signal and transmit the phase information to the at least one sensing module
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a reconfigurable intelligent surface, a communication method using the reconfigurable intelligent surface, and a transceiver device including the reconfigurable intelligent surface. The reconfigurable intelligent surface may include a plurality of unit cells arranged in a mesh form, a beam steering module electrically connected to the plurality of unit cells, and at least one sensing module electrically connected to the plurality of unit cells, wherein the plurality of unit cells may include a plurality of reflection unit cells configured to reflect at least one signal incident thereon in a direction set by the beam steering module, and a plurality of sensing unit cells configured to obtain phase information of the at least one signal and transmit the phase information to the at least one sensing module.