Enhanced Antenna Performance at 3.5 GHz With a Compact and Intelligent Reflecting Surface

Firdaus Taqiyuddin Ahamad; Norun Farihah Abdul Malek; Farah Sakiinah Roslan; Norazlina Saidin; Md. Rafiqul Islam; Nidal El Qasem

doi:10.31436/iiumej.v25i2.2954

Authors

Firdaus Taqiyuddin Ahamad https://orcid.org/0009-0008-8920-2413
Norun Farihah Abdul Malek https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9234-4139
Farah Sakiinah Roslan International Islamic University Malaysia
Norazlina Saidin International Islamic University Malaysia
Md. Rafiqul Islam International Islamic University Malaysia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0808-2840
Nidal El Qasem Al-Ahliyya Amman University https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3450-9406

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31436/iiumej.v25i2.2954

Keywords:

metasurfaces, 6G, Circular patch, ring, unit cell, measurement, reconfigurable intelligent surface

Abstract

Intelligent Reflecting Surface (IRS) is an upbound 5G technology capable of intelligently controlling and altering an electromagnetic (EM) wave. IRS is a planar 2D metamaterial or metasurface made up of many passive element reflecting elements connected to a smart controller, which is capable of introducing an independent phase shift and/or amplitude attenuation (collectively termed as “reflection coefficient”) to the incident signal at each reflecting element. Hence, in this research, an IRS was designed to operate at 3.5 GHz structured by a compact unit cell size of 21.4 mm x 21.4 mm with Circular Patch and Ring. The metasurface consists of FR-4 substrate with a dielectric constant of 4.3 and copper backplane as the ground plane. Generally, the IRS uses a PIN diode or varactor to achieve the configurability by the ON and OFF state. However in this research, the concept is proven by connecting and disconnecting metal strips to indicate the ON and OFF state. The reflection magnitude and phase are the main parameters that were analyzed in this research. In OFF and ON states, the magnitude of the reflection coefficient is -0.32 dB and -0.38 dB respectively with dynamic reflection range of 325?. A prototype for the OFF state has been fabricated and demonstrated as a reflecting surface for a horn antenna. The measured outcome, employing the reflecting surface positioned approximately 10 cm away from the horn antenna, indicates a decrease in return loss of approximately 72.2%. The results show that the proposed reflecting surface can be used as a good reflector in IRS at 3.5 GHz.

ABSTRAK: Permukaan Pemantul Pintar (IRS) merupakan teknologi terbaru 5G yang mampu mengawal dan mengubah gelombang elektromagnetik (EM) secara pintar. IRS adalah ‘bahan meta’ 2D satah atau permukaan meta 2D satah yang terdiri daripada sejumlah besar elemen pemantau pasif yang bersambung dengan pengawal pintar. Ia mampu mengadakan pergeseran fasa bebas dan/atau penurunan amplitud (secara kolektif iaitu sebagai pekali refleksi) kepada isyarat insiden pada setiap unsur reflektif. Oleh itu, kajian ini adalah berkenaan IRS yang beroperasi pada 3.5 GHz dengan struktur sel kompak bersaiz 21.4 mm x 21.4 mm seunit dengan tampalan kuprum berbentuk cincin dan bulatan. Permukaan meta ini terdiri daripada substrat FR-4 dengan pemalar dielektrik 4.3 dan satah kuprum di bahagian belakang. Secara umum, IRS menggunakan diod PIN atau varaktor bagi mencapai keboleh konfigurasi mengikut keadaan BERSAMBUNG dan TIDAK. Walau bagaimanapun, konsep ini dibuktikan dengan menyambung dan memutuskan jalur logam bagi menunjukkan keadaan BERSAMBUNG dan TIDAK. Magnitud pantulan dan fasa pekali merupakan parameter utama yang dikaji dalam kajian ini. Dalam keadaan TIDAK dan BERSAMBUNG, magnitud pekali pantulan ialah -0.32 dB dan -0.38 dB masing-masing dengan julat pantulan dinamik 325?. Prototaip pada keadaan TIDAK telah dibentuk dan menunjukkan sebagai permukaan pantulan bagi antena jenis tanduk. Dapatan hasil menunjukkan permukaan reflektif yang diukur pada jarak 10 cm dari antena tanduk mengalami penurunan kehilangan refleksi sebanyak 72.2%. Ini menunjukkan permukaan reflektif yang dicadangkan dapat digunakan sebagai reflektor IRS yang baik pada frekuensi 3.5 GHz.

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