Polarization converter systems and methods

A wireless communication system, comprising:

• a first transceiver module configured to form one or more linearly polarized communication links with a second transceiver module;
• a host coupled to the first transceiver module and configured to control operation of a client device coupled to the second transceiver module over the one or more linearly polarized communication links;
• a polarization converter positioned between the first and second transceiver modules and configured to convert the one or more linearly polarized communication links to circularly polarized communication links;
• and
• a memory configured to store a plurality of computer readable instructions which when executed by the host and/or a client controller are adapted to cause the wireless communication system to perform a method comprising:
• initiating the client device coupled to the second transceiver module by communicating one or more control and/or data signals over the one or more circularly polarized communication links produced by the polarization converter;
• and
• receiving sensor data from the client device by communicating the sensor data over the one or more circularly polarized communication links produced by the polarization converter;
• wherein:
• the polarization converter comprises first and second frequency selective surfaces (FSSs) formed from respective first and second metalized layers of a printed circuit board (PCB), each FSS comprises an array of capacitive patches and inductive traces forming an array of unit cells, and each unit cell of the second FSS is aligned with each unit cell of the first FSS;
• the polarization converter comprises an array of parallel metal traces formed in the first FSS;
• and
• the first FSS of the polarization converter is coupled to the first transceiver module such that a long axis of the array of parallel metal traces is fixed relative to and offset approximately forty five degrees from a principal polarization direction associated with the first transceiver module.

A method for forming a polarization converter for a wireless communication system, the method comprising:

• patterning a first metalized layer of a printed circuit board (PCB) to form a first frequency selective surface (FSS) of the polarization converter;
• and
• patterning a second metalized layer of the PCB to form a second FSS of the polarization converter;
• wherein each FSS comprises an array of capacitive patches and inductive traces forming an array of unit cells, and each unit cell of the second FSS is aligned with each unit cell of the first FSS.