Intelligence Enabled by 2D Metastructures in Antennas and Wireless Propagation Systems

Abstract

The development of the next generation of wireless systems is bringing renewed attention to the physical layer of the communication link. Indeed, the new low-latency requirements cannot be satisfied relying only upon the extreme virtualization of the hardware functions. Moreover, conventional wireless systems with fixed characteristics and functionalities are not appropriate to modern electromagnetic environments, which undergo continuous and fast variations. Embedded smartness is a required feature for widening the range of the possible electromagnetic responses to support advanced and novel functionalities. In this paper, we show how the combination of 2D metastructures with conventional antennas and reflectors enables an unprecedented electromagnetic behaviour, which is at the basis of new properties, capabilities, and applications. In particular, we propose an emerging design approach based on the shifting of the reconfigurability, adaptivity, sensing, and power management of a wireless system at the physical level, thanks to the use of properly designed 2D metastructures to be coupled with standard antennas and reflectors.

Multibeam Scanning Antenna System Based on Beamforming Metasurface for Fast 5G NR Initial Access

“…MTS technology has rapidly captured the interest of scientists and engineers due its unprecedented ability to manipulate the electromagnetic field in a straightforward manner and with a low-cost implementation at microwaves and mm-Waves [16]. In recent years, both antenna technology and propagation environment have benefitted from the MTS technology, allowing the design of novel antenna systems for satellite and mobile scenarios [17]- [22], and defining the so-called smart electromagnetic environment based on intelligent MTSs [23]- [26].…”

Guest Editorial Special Cluster on Functionalized Metasurface-Based Covers and Unconventional Domes for Dynamic Antenna Systems

“…In this scenario, metasurfaces have demonstrated to exhibit the capability to mold the phase-front, amplitude profile, and frequency of the interacting field, thanks to their engineerable surface properties in space and time domains [3], [4], [5], [6]. Such artificial surfaces can be used to build antenna domes with prescribed electromagnetic behaviors and even with new features such as the property of being tunable or switchable, thus resulting in a new class of devices: metasurface-enhanced domes or "metadomes."…”

Design of a compact magneto‐electric dipole antenna with bandwidth and gain enhancement

“…The proposed antenna-operating spectrum can be highly usable for most wireless communication systems like Wi-Fi/WLAN/Sub-6 GHz/Wi-Max/LTE and can be utilized for BTS, small satellite applications. 14,[26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36]…”

“…Unlike other ME dipole structures, the proposed geometry leverages in design simplicity without ground plane shorting and also offers wide impedance bandwidth of 82.35%. The proposed antenna‐operating spectrum can be highly usable for most wireless communication systems like Wi‐Fi/WLAN/Sub‐6 GHz/Wi‐Max/LTE and can be utilized for BTS, small satellite applications 14,26–36 …”