Scientists at City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) have developed a revolutionary antenna technology that could transform wireless communication, especially for 6th generation (6G) networks.
Led by Professor Chan Chi-hou, the team introduced a groundbreaking metasurface antenna that can send and control multiple signals at the same time, significantly boosting efficiency and performance.
The research, published in Nature Communications under the title “A synthetic moving-envelope metasurface antenna for independent control of arbitrary harmonic orders,” describes how this innovation sets a new benchmark for antenna design.
Traditional antennas are limited in their abilities and usually fixed in function. To address this, the researchers created a concept called the “synthesis moving envelope.”
This allows the antenna to generate multiple frequency signals and control their properties, such as direction and wave behavior, all through software.
Unlike conventional designs, this new antenna can dynamically adapt to various needs, making it highly flexible and efficient.
The novel technology makes it possible for the antenna to transmit multiple signals to users in different directions at the same time, drastically improving channel capacity.
This is particularly important for future communication systems that demand faster speeds, higher capacity, and more secure data transfer.
Additionally, the innovation supports the integration of sensing and communication—key features of 6G networks—and opens doors to applications in real-time imaging, wireless power transfer, and high-security systems.
“This antenna takes metasurfaces’ ability to control frequencies to a whole new level,” said Professor Chan, who also directs the State Key Laboratory of Terahertz and Millimeter Waves (SKLTMW).
“Its straightforward coding design, ability to resist signal interference, and potential for integration into chips make it a game-changer for wireless communication and even fields like radar and quantum science.”
The research is a collaboration between CityUHK and Southeast University in China, with Professor Wu Gengbo and Dr. Dai Junyan as key contributors. This milestone in antenna technology could shape the future of communication, paving the way for 6G networks and beyond.
Source: City University of Hong Kong.
