LiBERATE Liquid based Reconfigurable Reflector and Antenna Technology for 6G Communications
Abstract
This project aims to design and demonstrate sub-Terahertz (sub-THz) reconfigurable antennas and reflectors (RARs) using liquid-based, reconfiguration techniques. Despite promising extremely high-speed communication and vast bandwidth, sub-THz operation is expected,to be challenged by severe path-loss and limited beam coverage. RARs are expected to cooperatively solve these issues by: (i) dynami,cally reconfiguring narrow beams towards the intended direction using reconfigurable antennas, (ii) extending signal coverage while,significantly reducing cost and energy in place of base stations via reconfigurable reflectors. In both components, liquid-based rec,onfiguration is envisioned to significantly extend their tuning capabilities due to its extensive structural reshaping capability, a, property not found in any other current feasible solutions in the sub-THz band. Fluidic channels and encapsulations containing huma,n friendly liquid gallium alloys and slip layers will be integrated into unit cells in antennas and reflectors to reconfigure them i,n a most efficient way. The actuation then modifies the electrical sizes of sections of the antennas and reflectors based on fluidic, flows. Despite its existence in the microwave bands, its potential in the sub-THz band is renewed as the shorter electrical lengths, translates to significantly faster switching speeds due to the much smaller liquid volume and flow area required for reconfiguratio,n. Besides that, foreseen lower actuation voltages required for reconfiguration in such solution potentially enables this technology,?s implementation in compact mobile devices. Most importantly, conventional electronic components such as PIN diodes do not work wel,l in sub-THz due to the cutoff frequency limitation and higher loss. This arguably is the first effort towards realizing RARs using,liquid-based mechanism in the sub-THz bands, to our best of knowledge. Set to be jointly investigated with ONRG PO 600, such technol,ogy is relevant to US NRE as a new solution for high-speed wireless communications which can be quickly deployed in dense urban area,s to create a smart electromagnetic sensing and communication environment. At the same time, such technology potentially provides an, additional (physical) layer wireless security in the spectrum of interest. It is expected that the outcomes of this research will p,rovide in-depth understanding of trade-offs between the performance improvements and additional complexities. These results, in the,form of models, simulations, and measurement results will be disseminated via conference and journal publications. Ultimately, optim,al strategies to implement wave control via structural reconfiguration in RARs and actuation mechanisms for best sub-THz communicati,on performance will be proposed to pave the way for future research towards a full system practical implementation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Oct 07, 2022
- Source ID
- N629092212057
Entities
People
- Jay Marble
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Oulu