Multi-channel OOK Communication by Using Frequency-multiplexed Switchable Metasurface

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel reprogrammable metasurface that uses frequency-multiplexed OOK modulation with graphene layers, enabling secure, multi-channel terahertz communication and data encryption.

Contribution

It presents the first combined design and theoretical analysis of an amplitude-coding metasurface using OOK and frequency modulation with all relevant parameters considered.

Findings

Successful simulation of secure multi-channel THz communication

Demonstration of amplitude modulation at two distinct THz frequencies

Effective information encryption using substitution cipher method

Abstract

Programmable metasurfaces have recently attracted considerable interest for their versatile applications in areas such as beam steering, holography, and wireless communications, utilizing either phase or amplitude modulation. Despite this, programmable amplitude coding modulation has seen limited exploration, primarily due to the difficulties involved in achieving real-time dynamic amplitude control. Here, we propose a reprogrammable amplitude-coding metasurface utilizing the on-off Keying (OOK) method combined with frequency modulation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time we will address both the design of the metasurface and the theoretical investigation of OOK simultaneously, considering all parameters present in the design, channel, and on-off ratio. The proposed metasurface comprises two layers of graphene with separate biasing voltages. By controlling the chemical potential of each layer, we can modulate the amplitude in two states at two frequencies through a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). In addition, we employ an information encryption method using the substitution cipher method and transmit it at two amplitude levels at distinct frequencies of f1 = 0.98 THz and f2 = 1.46 THz to safeguard transmission information against eavesdropping. Simulation and numerical results convincingly demonstrate that the proposed reprogrammable metasurface facilitates secure communication in multi-channel data encryption, terahertz (THz) data storage, information processing, and THz communication.