Flexible frequency controls are essential in numerous photonic and electronic applications, which include communications systems, spectroscopy, metrology, and quantum information processing. Unfortunately, current solutions utilizing nonlinear bulk media, the electro-optic effect, and nonlinear metasurfaces offer limited spectral controllability, allowing only a few harmonic orders to be adjusted independently.
In an exciting development, a research team led by Professor Chan Chi-hou, the Chair Professor of the Department of Electrical Engineering at City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK), has announced a groundbreaking innovation in antenna technology. This new technology could revolutionize the future of wireless communication, especially for the upcoming 6th generation (6G) networks.
The team has created an innovative metasurface antenna capable of generating and controlling multiple frequency components simultaneously via software. This substantial progress is expected to improve the efficiency and capabilities of wireless communication systems.
Traditional antennas usually have fixed capabilities. To improve antenna versatility and control, researchers have introduced and tested a unique antenna concept known as a “synthesis moving envelope.” This innovative technology allows antennas to simultaneously generate arbitrary harmonic frequencies and their wave properties to be controlled through software manipulation.
This marks a historic first in antenna design, setting a new standard in the field. The technology has potential applications in next-generation large-capacity and high-security information systems, real-time imaging, and wireless power transfer.
The antenna can simultaneously transmit multiple signals to users in different directions, substantially increasing channel capacity. Moreover, the integration of sensing and communications, crucial for 6G wireless networks, is significantly advanced by this innovation, which has far-reaching implications for future communication systems.
“The proposed synthesis approach promotes the metasurfaces’ spectral controllability to a new level,” explained Professor Chan, who is also Director of the State Key Laboratory of Terahertz and Millimeter Waves (SKLTMW). “The unparalleled frequency controllability, together with its highly straightforward coding strategy (1-bit), sideband-proof, and potential for on-chip integration, provides a proposed metasurface antenna that goes beyond existing technologies, offering promising potential in wireless communications, cognitive radar, integrated photonics, and quantum science,” echoed Professor Wu Gengbo from the Department of Electrical Engineering and a member of the SKLTMW.
Journal reference:
- Geng-Bo Wu, Jun Yan Dai, Kam Man Shum, Ka Fai Chan, Qiang Cheng, Tie Jun Cui & Chi Hou Chan. A synthetic moving-envelope metasurface antenna for independent control of arbitrary harmonic orders. Nature Communications, 2024; DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51587-0