Reconfigurable metasurface with integrated signal readout mechanism

A system, comprising:

• a reconfigurable intelligent surface comprising a unit cell that redirects an incoming electromagnetic signal as a redirected electromagnetic signal, the unit cell comprising:
• a metallic element pattern that resonates at a frequency corresponding to the incoming electromagnetic signal;
• a variable tuning device, associated with the reflective metallic element pattern, that is controllable to alter a phase of the redirected electromagnetic signal;
• interconnects coupled to the variable tuning device;
• a substrate supporting the reflective metallic element pattern;
• a ground plane beneath the substrate;
• a substrate integrated waveguide beneath the ground plane, comprising side vias that enclose sides of the substrate integrated waveguide with respect to the frequency corresponding to the incoming electromagnetic signal, an upper metallic surface, and a lower metallic surface, wherein the interconnects pass through the substrate integrated waveguide;
• a sensor device, within the substrate integrated waveguide and proximate to the interconnects, that detects coupling strength data representative of information of the incoming electromagnetic signal;
• and
• an electrical sensing contact, electrically coupled to the sensor device, that provides a signal readout representative of the information of the incoming electromagnetic signal.