Intercell Wireless Communication in Software-defined Metasurfaces

Abstract

Tunable metasurfaces are ultra-thin, artificial electromagnetic components that provide engineered and externally adjustable functionalities. The programmable metasurface, the HyperSurFace, concept consists in integrating controllers within the metasurface that interact locally and communicate globally to obtain a given electromagnetic behaviour. Here, we address the design constraints introduced by both functions accommodated by the programmable metasurface, i.e., the desired metasurface operation and the unit cells wireless communication enabling such programmable functionality. The design process for meeting both sets of specifications is thoroughly discussed. Two scenarios for wireless intercell communication are proposed. The first exploits the metasurface layer itself, while the second employs a dedicated communication layer beneath the metasurface backplane. Complexity and performance trade-offs are highlighted.

Error Analysis of Programmable Metasurfaces for Beam Steering

“…Beyond that, several authors have proposed to integrate a network of communicating chips within the metasurface containing actuators, control circuits, and even sensors [19], [21], [22], [62]. This concept, referred to as HyperSurface (HSF), opens new opportunities in the design of autonomous self-adaptive programmable metasurfaces but, at the same time, poses further challenges in the implementation, cointegration, and testing of the electronics within and around the metasurface.…”

Exploration of Intercell Wireless Millimeter-Wave Communication in the Landscape of Intelligent Metasurfaces

“…Allowing a small amount of perturbation to the metasurface parameters, e.g. the dielectric thickness or the patch width, and/or freely choosing the intercell communication frequency band as fits best, and/or invoking microwave circuits to match |S 11 | at will, can lead to improved designs [31]. The main drawback in these approaches is the custom/non-standard ASICs (chips) required to compensate and even-out performance perturbations.…”

“…In this paper, we undertake the thorough analysis of wireless mm-Wave intercell communication in the HSF environment, an important aspect of practical intelligent metasurfaces. In [31], we performed a preliminary assessment of the spectral characteristics of intercell communication in two specific channels and in the frequency domain. Here, we present a rigorous frequency and time domain study towards the exploration of the wireless communication channels within the landscape of a fully functional HSF, consisting of the components effectuating the EM manipulation of the wave, the MS layer and the controller chip.…”

“…In all channels, we evaluate the communication performance through frequencyand time-domain numerical calculations provid data for the channel transfer function, the mean delay and the delay spread. Technical considerations, detailed designs, analysis of obtained simulation results, and discussion are provided for each channel, separately, before drawing the overarching conclusions and outlook of the intercell communication exploration, compared to our preliminary study [31] in Section VI.…”

Data Conversion in Area-Constrained Applications: the Wireless Network-on-Chip Case

“…With this, we are able to assess whether data conversion will be a roadblock in the realization of the WNoC or not, and under which conditions. In a broader sense, the analysis would be applicable to other wireless applications with evident resource constraints such as Wireless Nanosensor Networks (WNSNs) [17] or Software-Defined Metamaterials (SDMs) [18]. In any case, and to the best of the author's knowledge, this is the first gap analysis relative to data conversion in emerging areaconstrained applications.…”