Optimal morphing metasurface lens for next generation RF sensing and communications

This paper introduces a new intelligent 3D metasurface with mechanical morphing abilities to act as an RF beam-steering lens and manipulate electromagnetic (EM) waves for applications in RF sensing and communications. The mechanical metasurface can be controlled using low-power actuators on the sides to deform the surface and mechanically move the lens structure. The metasurface is fed with a horn antenna and the mechanical movement of the lens with respect to the horn feed provides a beam-steering function. In this paper, a beam-steering of ± 30° is achieved within simulations with a mechanical movement of ± 40 mm. Furthermore, the 1D lens created using the shape morphing metasurface offers a gain enhancement of approximately 8 dBi throughout the frequency band.