An easily scalable reconfigurable intelligent surface prototype

Abstract

The aim of this thesis is to design, manufacture, and characterize an improved and scalable reconfigurable intelligent surface module based on previous work. The borderless geometry of the RIS modules enables side-by-side installation to construct up-scaled reconfigurable intelligent surfaces. Two RIS modules were manufactured and tested, and shown to be fully operational by measurements. At operation frequency 5 GHz, the reflection phase is tunable over a range of 326° with bias voltages ranging from 0 V to 9.5 V. The results are consistent across both RIS modules. An up-scaled RIS consisting of two modules was also constructed and measured, showing the same characteristics as a single module but with a much larger magnitude of steerable reflection. The functional and easy-to-use RIS modules may prove useful in answering many major questions in the field of reconfigurable intelligent surface research.

The aim of this thesis is to design, manufacture, and characterize an improved and scalable reconfigurable intelligent surface module based on previous work. The borderless geometry of the RIS modules enables side-by-side installation to construct up-scaled reconfigurable intelligent surfaces. Two RIS modules were manufactured and tested, and shown to be fully operational by measurements. At operation frequency 5 GHz, the reflection phase is tunable over a range of 326° with bias voltages ranging from 0 V to 9.5 V. The results are consistent across both RIS modules. An up-scaled RIS consisting of two modules was also constructed and measured, showing the same characteristics as a single module but with a much larger magnitude of steerable reflection. The functional and easy-to-use RIS modules may prove useful in answering many major questions in the field of reconfigurable intelligent surface research.