Metasurface Coatings Enabling Antenna Reconfigurability for Next-generation Communications Smart Repeaters

In future smart electromagnetic environments, smart repeaters will be used to enhance the coverage capability of the network and introduce reconfigurable re-transmission capabilities, adaptability of the radiating elements, and maximizing data transmission performance. In this context, we show that conformal reconfigurable metasurfaces surrounding an antenna element enable full control over its electrical and radiating characteristics, allowing to set, and changing in real-time, operation frequency, radiation pattern, and polarization state.