Tunable cell for high-speed surface modulation

A device, comprising:

• a radio frequency (RF) distributor configured to guide an RF carrier signal to obtain a guided RF carrier signal;
• a plurality of controllable surface cells of an intelligent controllable surface comprising a plurality of input surfaces in communication with the RF distributor and exposed to the guided RF carrier signal and a plurality of output surfaces;
• a plurality of tunable devices associated with the plurality of controllable surface cells, wherein the plurality of tunable devices is adapted to vary properties of the plurality of controllable surface cells;
• a modulation controller in communication with the plurality of tunable devices, wherein the modulation controller is configured to modulate the guided RF carrier according to variation of the properties of the plurality of controllable surface cells to obtain a modulated RF carrier signal;
• and
• a plurality of emitters in communication with the plurality of output surfaces, wherein the plurality of emitters is configured to radiate the modulated RF carrier signal.

An intelligent controllable surface, comprising:

• a plurality of controllable surface cells of an intelligent controllable surface comprising a plurality of input surfaces in communication with a waveguide, the input surfaces configured to receive an RF carrier signal via the waveguide, and a plurality of output surfaces;
• a plurality of control terminals in communication with the plurality of controllable surface cells, wherein the plurality of control terminals is configured to receive an information signal;
• and
• a plurality of controllable devices in communication with the plurality of control terminals, wherein the plurality of controllable devices is configured to control scattering parameters of the plurality of controllable surface cells responsive to the information signal, wherein the scattering parameters impress a direct modulation upon the RF carrier signal to obtain a first modulated RF carrier signal.