Systems and methods using passive reflectors to enhance non-line-of-sight (nlos) signals
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorsIvan Lemesh, Michael S. Graff, Sergei A. Manuilov, John J. Sullivan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods using passive reflectors or reflectarrays are provided to enhance non-line-of-sight (NLOS) wireless signals. Multiple reflectarrays are combined and positioned to cover a wide range of user positions/beam angles. The passive reflectarrays include at least one of a first reflectarray configured to split an incident beam and a second reflectarray configured to steer the incident beam with an off-plane of incidence.
Claims10
A method of enhancing non-line-of-sight (NLOS) signal for wireless communications, the method comprising:
- providing a plurality of passive reflectarrays including a first reflectarray and a second reflectarray, at least one of the reflectarrays comprising a pattern of repeating unit cells of resonating elements configured to reflect an incident radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic wave at a wavelength λ in a range from about 1.0 mm to about 10.0 cm, the first reflectarray having a first phase gradient along a first longitudinal direction thereof, the second reflectarray having a second phase gradient along a second longitudinal direction thereof;
- and
- positioning at least one of the first and second passive reflectarrays to face to the incident RF electromagnetic wave such that the incident RF electromagnetic wave is reflected by the first and second passive reflectarrays with a signal improvement of at least 3 dB.
A system of enhancing non-line-of-sight (NLOS) signal for wireless communications, the system comprising:
- one or more passive reflectarrays, at least one of the reflectarrays comprising a pattern of repeating unit cells of resonating elements configured to reflect an incident radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic wave at a wavelength λ in a range from about 1.0 mm to about 10.0 cm,
- wherein the one or more passive reflectarrays comprise at least one of a first reflectarray configured to split an incident beam and a second reflectarray configured to steer the incident beam with an off-plane of incidence.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.