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A Scalable Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface with 3 Bit Phase Resolution and High Bandwidth for 3.6 GHz 5G/6G Applications

Markus Heinrichs, Aydin Sezgin, Rainer Kronberger

TL;DR

This work presents a scalable RIS design operating at 3.6 GHz with both 1 bit and 3 bit phase resolution, supporting wideband applications and provides a practical platform for experimental studies of smart radio environments, beam steering, and sensing applications in next-generation wireless networks.

Abstract

Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces enable active control of wireless propagation channels, which is crucial for future 5G and 6G networks. This work presents a scalable RIS design operating at 3.6 GHz with both 1 bit and 3 bit phase resolution, supporting wideband applications. The unit cells employ low-cost printed circuit board technology with an innovative spring-contact feeding structure, enabling efficient assembly and reduced manufacturing complexity for large-area arrays. The design achieves broadband phase control, low power consumption, and high scalability, with experimental results demonstrating phase tunability across the n78 frequency band and competitive reflection performance compared to existing solutions. This RIS architecture provides a practical platform for experimental studies of smart radio environments, beam steering, and sensing applications in next-generation wireless networks.

A Scalable Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface with 3 Bit Phase Resolution and High Bandwidth for 3.6 GHz 5G/6G Applications

TL;DR

This work presents a scalable RIS design operating at 3.6 GHz with both 1 bit and 3 bit phase resolution, supporting wideband applications and provides a practical platform for experimental studies of smart radio environments, beam steering, and sensing applications in next-generation wireless networks.

Abstract

Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces enable active control of wireless propagation channels, which is crucial for future 5G and 6G networks. This work presents a scalable RIS design operating at 3.6 GHz with both 1 bit and 3 bit phase resolution, supporting wideband applications. The unit cells employ low-cost printed circuit board technology with an innovative spring-contact feeding structure, enabling efficient assembly and reduced manufacturing complexity for large-area arrays. The design achieves broadband phase control, low power consumption, and high scalability, with experimental results demonstrating phase tunability across the n78 frequency band and competitive reflection performance compared to existing solutions. This RIS architecture provides a practical platform for experimental studies of smart radio environments, beam steering, and sensing applications in next-generation wireless networks.
Paper Structure (13 sections, 3 equations, 6 figures, 2 tables)

This paper contains 13 sections, 3 equations, 6 figures, 2 tables.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Unit Cell Design
  3. Antenna Element
  4. Phase Switching Circuits
  5. 1-Bit RF Switch
  6. 3-Bit RF Switch
  7. Realization
  8. Measurements
  9. Comparison with other RIS designs
  10. 1-bit Version
  11. 3-bit Version
  12. Section Summary
  13. Conclusion

Figures (6)

  • Figure 1: CST simulation model of the unit cell showing the feeding structure with an EMI spring contact. FR4 material is rendered in transparent blue.
  • Figure 2: Simplified schematic of the 3 unit cell.
  • Figure 3: RIS tile with 16 unit cells and 3 phase resolution.
  • Figure 4: RIS with 576 unit cells and 1 phase resolution, size 1.56m.
  • Figure 5: Horn antenna measurement setup.
  • ...and 1 more figures