Research gaps of metasurface absorber in THz range

Some research needs in metasurface absorbers for lowering radar cross section (RCS) in the terahertz (THz) frequency range are as follows:

  • Efficient broadband absorption: Most metasurface absorbers currently have restricted bandwidth and efficiency reduces dramatically beyond their specified frequency. Metasurface absorbers with broad bandwidth and good absorption efficiency require more research.
  • Metasurface absorbers with many functions: There is a demand for metasurface absorbers with several functions such as sensing, imaging, and energy harvesting.
  • New material solutions are required to provide substantial absorption in the THz frequency band with minimal loss and great stability.
  • Integration with other components: There is room for development in the integration of metasurface absorbers with other components such as antennas to produce integrated systems.
  • Design for individual applications: Most metasurface absorber designs are currently based on broad concepts and are not optimised for specific uses. More study is required to create metasurface absorbers optimised for certain applications, like as stealth aircraft or spacecraft.
  • Large-scale integration: At the moment, it can be challenging to produce metasurface absorbers on a big scale, and more study is needed to address this issue.

Ten private universities in India with anechoic chamber facility:

  1. Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) Vellore (Frequency: 700 MHz to 18 GHz)
  2. Christ (Deemed to be University), Kengeri Campus, Bangalore (Frequency: 800 MHz to 40 GHz)
  3. Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology (TIET) Punjab (Frequency: 700 MHz to 18 GHz)
  4. RV College of Engineering, Bangalore (Frequency: 700 MHz to 40 GHz)
  5. Cochin University of Science and Technology (Frequency: 700 MHz to 20 GHz)
  6. PSG Institute of Technology and Applied Research Coimbatore
  7. SRM Institute of Science and Technology Chennai
  8. KJ Somaiya College of Engineering Mumbai
  9. Jadavpur University Kolkata
  10. Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences Coimbatore

Metasurfaces to revolutionize the way we communicate in the 6G and THz frequency bands

A metasurface is a two-dimensional array of subwavelength-sized resonant elements that can manipulate the phase, amplitude, and polarization of electromagnetic waves. The properties of these elements can be engineered to create a wide range of desired wavefronts, including beams, vortexes, and even cloaks. This ability to control the wavefront of a signal allows for the design of highly directive antennas, beamforming networks, and other advanced communication systems.

One of the key advantages of metasurface technology is its ability to operate in the THz frequency band. This band, which spans from 100 GHz to 10 THz, is a promising candidate for future wireless communications thanks to its large bandwidth and potential for high data rates. However, traditional antenna technologies struggle to operate in this frequency band due to the small size of the wavelengths and the difficulty in creating highly directive beams. Metasurface technology, on the other hand, offers a way to overcome these challenges and make THz communications a reality.

Another potential application of metasurface technology in 6G and THz communications is in the design of beamforming networks. Beamforming is a technique used to focus the energy of a signal in a specific direction, allowing for more efficient communications and improved signal-to-noise ratios. Metasurface-based beamforming networks can offer improved performance over traditional beamforming methods by providing more precise control over the phase and amplitude of the signal. This can result in a significant improvement in the overall system performance.

In addition to the above, metasurface technology can also be used to enhance the security of wireless communications. The ability to control the phase, amplitude and polarization of the signal can be used to create complex encryption schemes that are difficult to break. This can help to ensure the security of sensitive data and protect against eavesdropping and other forms of interference.

Overall, metasurface technology has the potential to play a major role in the development of 6G and THz communications. Its ability to control the phase, amplitude, and polarization of electromagnetic waves makes it an ideal technology for a wide range of advanced communication systems. It could help to pave the way for a new era of high-speed, secure, and efficient wireless communications.

Antenna Research Labs around the World

The United States of America (USA) and Canada

Director: Prof. Yahya Rahmat-Samii, University of California, Los Angeles, USA

Faculty: Dr. Douglas Werner, The Pennsylvania State University, USA

Faculty: Prof. Satish Kumar Sharma, San Diego State University, USA

Europe, United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland

Faculty: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dirk Heberling, RWTH Aachen University, Germany

Faculty: Prof. Andrzej A. Kucharski, Wroclaw University of Technology, Wroclaw, Poland

Faculty: Prof. Agostino Monorchio; Prof. Simone Genovesi, University of Pisa, Italy

Faculty: Prof. Anja Skrivervik, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne ‐ EPFL, Switzerland

Faculty: Dr. Max Munoz Torrico, Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), United Kingdom

Director: Prof Max Ammann, Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin), Ireland

Faculty: Chalmers University, Sweden

Faculty: Prof. Stefano Maci, University of Siena, Italy

Faculty: Institut d’Électronique et des Technologies du numéRique (IETR), France

Director:  Prof. George Goussetis, Heriot-Watt University, Scotland, United Kingdom

Asia, New Zealand, and Australia

Faculty: Prof. Lei ZHU, University of Macau, China

Faculty: Dr. Girish Kumar, Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, India

Faculty: Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, India

Faculty: Dr. K. V. Srivastava, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, India

Faculty: Dr. Rajesh Khanna, ECED, Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Punjab, India

Faculty: Dr. Naveen Kumar, ECED, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

When will 5G Mobile Communication be launched in India?

In the last quarter of 2018 and first 2 quarters of 2019, the standards and protocols for 5G communication will be finalized. Then manufacturers and OEMs will start producing devices and components by the mid of 2019 till mid of 2020. Then commercially it is expected to be launched world wide by 2nd or 3rd quarter of 2020.

Knowing the adoption pattern of mobile technologies in the past by India, probably in 2022 we’ll be able to have 5G experience in major cities of India.

Rest who knows, it can be earlier than that by proactive decisions of current and next elected government.

Calculate Envelope Correlation Coefficient (ECC) in HFSS

Following are the steps to plot ECC vs Freq plot in HFSS calculated from S parameters:
  • In project manager window right click on results and then select ‘Output Variables’.
  • Provide Name to the parameter and then insert the expression: (mag(conjg(S(1,1))*S(1,2)+conjg(S(2,1))*S(2,2)))^2/((1-mag(S(1,1))^2-mag(S(2,1))^2)*(1-mag(S(2,2))^2-mag(S(1,2))^2))
  • Click on Add and then click on Done.
  • Then again right click on results –> Create Modal Solution Data Report –> Rectangular Plot –> Under Category option select ‘Output Variables’ –> Select Name of parameter that you have given in 2nd step.
  • Click on New Report

MIMO Antenna Design

For designing a MIMO antenna following steps can be followed:
1. Design a single element antenna resonating at desired frequency and optimize the geometry to get desired antenna parameters such as gain, bandwidth, radiation pattern etc.
2. Extend the design to 2 elements by copying the previously designed geometry and placing it adjacently keeping the distance at least lambda/2. Though there are several configurations and techniques to place the antenna elements in a MIMO system.
3. Excite both the antenna elements with separate ports.
4. Plot the S parameters (S11, S22, S21 or S12) to observed if both the elements are resonating at same frequency and have high isolation (>15dB).
5. Plot Envelope Correlation Coefficient (ECC) and Diversity Gain Plots to observe MIMO performance of the proposed geometry.
Above steps can be repeated for designing MIMO system with more number of elements

Calculate Radar Cross Section (RCS) in HFSS

The steps to plot RCS vs Frequency:
  • Set Up Radiation: Insert Far Field Setup –> Phi from 0 to 180 and Set “Step Size” to 10 degree. Also Set Theta from 0 to 360 and step size 1 degree.
  • Results->Create Far Fields Report->Rectangular Plot –> Select “Monostatic RCS” and then “NormMonostaticRCSTotal”. In the Primary sweep Select Freq.
  • Under Families tab select the values of Theta and Phi you want the calculation for.