In a development that could be extremely beneficial to the mobile communications sector, engineers and researchers from the University of Glasgow claim to have developed an ultrathin 2D surface which utilizes the unique properties of metamaterials to manipulate and convert radio waves across the frequencies most commonly used by satellites.
Metamaterials are specially engineered structures designed to exhibit properties not found in natural materials.
In a new paper published in the International Journal of Computer and Communication Engineering, the team reported that metamaterial could equip future generations of 6G satellites to carry more data, improve their remote sensing ability, and benefit from improved signal quality across the Ku-, K- and Ka-bands, which span 12 GHz to 40 Ghz, and are commonly used in satellite applications and remote sensing.
Current communication antennas are designed to transmit and receive electromagnetic waves oriented either vertically or horizontally—a phenomenon known as linear polarization.
Misalignment between transmitting and receiving antennas can lead to signal degradation, reducing their efficiency. The team’s breakthrough 2D metamaterial converts the linearly polarized electromagnetic waves into circular polarization, which could improve the quality of communication between satellites and ground stations.
