Metasurface Sensing Difference in Waveforms at the Same Frequency with Reduced Power Level

TL;DR

This paper introduces a waveform-selective metasurface capable of distinguishing waveforms at the same frequency with reduced power, using precise rectifier circuits and operational amplifiers, suitable for practical wireless communication applications.

Contribution

The study presents a novel metasurface design with rectifier circuits that operate at lower power levels and wider dynamic range than previous structures.

Findings

Effective waveform discrimination at low power levels

Wide dynamic range from -30 to 6 dBm

Potential for practical wireless communication applications

Abstract

We numerically demonstrate a new type of waveform-selective metasurface that senses the difference in incoming waveforms or pulse widths at the same frequency. Importantly, the proposed structure contains precise rectifier circuits that, compared to ordinary schottky diodes used within old types of structures, rectify induced electric charges at a markedly reduced input power level depending on several design parameters but mostly on the gain of operational amplifiers. As a result, a waveform-selective absorbing mechanism related to this turn-on voltage appears even with a limited signal strength that is comparable to realistic wireless signal levels. In addition, the proposed structure exhibits a noticeably wide dynamic range from -30 to 6 dBm, compared to a conventional structure that operated only around 0 dBm. Thus, our study opens up the door to apply the concept of waveform selectivity to a more practical field of wireless communications to control different small signals at the same frequency.