Researchers from Birmingham have developed a beam-steering antenna to increase data transmission efficiency beyond 5G. It also opens up new frequencies for mobile communications that are not available with current technologies.
The device’s ability to provide continuous ‘wide-angle beam steering allows it to track a mobile phone user moving in the same manner as a satellite dish tracking a moving object. However, the results were presented for the first time today at the 3rd International Union of Radio Science Atlantic / Asia-Pacific Radio Science Meeting.
Researchers from the University of Birmingham’s School of Engineering developed the technology. It has significantly improved data transmission efficiency at frequencies across the millimetre-wave spectrum, particularly for 5G (mmWave) and 6G. High efficiency can only be achieved using slow, mechanically-steered antenna solutions.
The beam-steering antenna technology has been developed to increase the fixed base station antenna efficiency at 5G (mmWave) and 6G. It can also be adapted for vehicle-to-vehicle, vehicle-to-infrastructure, vehicular radar, and satellite communications. Credit: University of Birmingham
The device can be used with all existing 5G specifications currently being used by mobile communication networks. The new technology doesn’t require complex, inefficient feeder networks for antenna systems. Instead, it uses a simple, low-complexity system that improves performance while being easy to construct.
Dr James Churm and Dr Muhammad Rabbani developed the beam-steering antenna as a fixed base station antenna solution. Current technology has lower efficiency at higher frequencies. This limits the use of these frequencies in long-distance transmission.
The technology is approximately the same size as an iPhone. It uses a metamaterial* made of a thin metal sheet with micrometre-sized holes. An actuator controls the cavity’s height and delivers micrometre movements. The antenna then controls the deflection of radio waves. This effectively concentrates the beam into a highly directive signal and redirects it as needed – increasing transmission efficiency.
The team is now developing and testing prototypes for higher frequencies and applications beyond 5G mobile communications.
Dr Churm stated that although we designed the technology to be used in 5G, current models indicate that our beam steering technology can achieve 94% efficiency at 300GHz. The technology can also be adapted for vehicle-to-vehicle, vehicle-to-infrastructure, vehicular radar, and satellite communications, making it good for next-generation use in automotive, radar, space, and defence applications.”
The University of Birmingham Enterprise filed a patent for the next-generation beam-steering technology. They are looking for industry partners to collaborate on product development and licensing.
Dr Churm said that a new body of work is being assembled for publication and presentation. It will show a level of efficiency that has yet to be reported for radio waves transmitted at these difficult frequencies. The elements’ simplicity and low cost are attractive for industry adoption. Additionally, the small electronics configuration makes it easy to place where space is limited. The beam-steering antenna can be used for many 5G and/6G applications, satellite communications, and the Internet of Things.
*Metamaterials refer to materials with special properties that can’t be found in natural materials. These properties include manipulating electromagnetic waves by blocking, abusing, enhancing, and bending them.
