Abstract
A design for a highly reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) that can
provide three-dimensional passive reflective beamforming suitable for
sub-6 GHz frequency bands is proposed. The RIS is based on a novel
double-layer structure consisting of independently controllable and
highly reconfigurable elements on top of a ground plane. The novelty of
the structure is the use of reconfigurable RIS elements, whose size is
of the order of a wavelength, that are optimized to function over wide
incident and reflected angles. In addition, the individual elements each
have four RF switches, in a 5x5 sub-element structure, providing 16
different reflective phases, from 0 to 360 degrees relative to the
incident waves. To quantify the performance of the RIS, the performance
metric of phase entropy is defined and it is also utilized as an
objective function for optimizing the design. An efficient analytical
method for predicting the reflected waves from the RIS elements, as well
as phase entropy, is also provided. For verification, a prototype of a
4x4-element RIS, with a total size of 0.32x0.34 m2, is
fabricated and an experimental setup for measuring the scattered pattern
is described. It is shown that waves incident from various angles can be
passively beam steered to any angle within 0-360 degrees azimuth and 70
degrees elevation angles. The high reconfigurability to manipulate
incident waves makes the proposed RIS a promising surface for use in
future high-capacity communication systems.