RIS Fixed-Beam Reflection for Obstacle-Blocked mmWave Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in maintaining effective signal transmission and reception due to obstacles, particularly in mmWave bands, where direct communication between devices is hindered by obstacles, leading to inefficiencies and increased complexity.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface (RIS) device that configures fixed beams, reflection patterns, and periods to reflect signals, simplifying the RIS structure by eliminating the need for signal processors and reducing costs through fixed configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a RIS device with signal processing capability is used to overcome obstacles in mmWave communication, then signal transmission reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the signal processing function from the RIS device, keeping only the passive signal reflection capability. This eliminates the need for complex circuitry, power supply, and control units in the RIS device, thereby reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining the ability to overcome obstacles through beamforming
Solution Approach 2:
The base station acts as an intermediary that performs signal processing instead of the RIS device. The base station's signal processor generates control signals that adjust the reflection coefficients of RIS elements, achieving the same obstacle-overcoming effect through a different system architecture
2Reliability
If a RIS device with full signal processing is implemented, then communication quality through obstacles is improved, but implementation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The signal processing functionality is extracted from the RIS device and relocated to the base station. This leaves the RIS device as a simple passive structure composed of reflector elements, dramatically reducing manufacturing costs while preserving communication quality through obstacle mitigation
Solution Approach 2:
The RIS device is designed as a low-cost, simple passive structure without expensive electronic components. By using basic reflective elements rather than active signal processing units, the implementation cost is reduced while the base station's processing capability compensates for the simplicity
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 signal transmission and reception by simplifying the RIS device structure, reducing implementation costs, and maintaining communication quality despite obstacles, thereby improving overall system efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
configuring a number of fixed beams for a beam, a fixed reflection pattern for the beam, and a fixed period for the beam; and reflecting a signal based on the number of fixed beams, the fixed reflection pattern, and the fixed period
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a method performed by a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) device, the method including configuring a number of fixed beams for a beam, a fixed reflection pattern for the beam, and a fixed period for the beam; and reflecting a signal based on the number of the fixed beams, the fixed reflection pattern, and the fixed period, with the fixed reflection pattern being related to an amplitude and a phase of the reflected signal.