Gradient Phase Profiled Reflecting Surface Design for Sectoral Sensing Application

Abstract

With the advent of next generation communication technologies catering to high frequency systems for 5G and beyond applications, efficient non-LoS connectivity requirements have become the focal point of research nowadays. In this paper, Metasurface-based gradient phase reflecting structures are shown to act in coordination with the primary source Access Points (APs) like Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface (RIS) ‘Wings’ (in folded/unfolded combinations) to ensure effective distribution/redirection of radiated power for sectoral sensing applications. Using the concept of phase gradient metasurface design with Minkowski unit cells, two novel phase-profiled configurations of reflecting surfaces are presented, namely the Concentric and Symmetric configurations operating at 26.5 GHz. These designs offer distinctly different reflection performances, with anomalous and sectoral reflection properties. Here the incoming conical beam from a primary source radiator is converted to a fan-beam pattern for specific sectoral use, suitable for precision sensing applications. Detailed simulation-based results are reported to highlight the potential of such phase profiled structures as suitable reflecting surfaces with sectoral, directive, and 360-degree manoeuvrable RIS Wing like operations.