Project Title
Smart Microwave Metasurface Reflectors for RF Environment Engineering and Wireless Streaming Enhancement
Tentative titles of Sub-projects
This project explores the use of programmable microwave metasurface reflectors to dynamically engineer the radio frequency (RF) environment for improved wireless communication. The goal is to demonstrate how intelligently controlled metasurfaces can overcome challenges such as signal blockage, multipath fading, and interference in complex, obstacle-rich environments. The core application involves using off-the-shelf Wi-Fi transceivers to wirelessly stream high-definition video (e.g., a movie) in a controlled indoor environment with significant RF obstructions and interference. In the baseline scenario, streaming performance is degraded due to obstacles such as walls, furniture, and intentional RF noise sources. To address this, the environment is modified by strategically placing and dynamically configuring smart metasurface reflectors. These metasurfaces are capable of manipulating incident electromagnetic waves through programmable reflection, phase shifting, or beam steering. By adaptively redirecting RF signals around obstacles or away from sources of interference, the metasurfaces help maintain robust, high-throughput wireless links.
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The project involves:
- Designing and deploying a set of reconfigurable microwave metasurface panels with PCB printed structures and backend FPGA control.
- Integrating a basic control algorithm or external feedback loop (based on sensory input) to dynamically adjust metasurface parameters in response to changing channel conditions.
- Quantitatively comparing wireless performance (e.g., throughput, packet loss, signal-to-noise ratio) between the obstructed baseline case and the metasurface-enhanced scenario.
- Demonstrating real-time HD movie streaming as a practical, visual validation of improved link reliability and quality, in a controlled RF environment.
Expected Outcomes:
- A validated proof-of-concept showing that metasurface-assisted RF environment control significantly enhances wireless streaming in complex, noisy settings.
- Insights into metasurface configuration strategies for real-time RF adaptation.
- Foundational groundwork for future smart environments and 6G wireless systems where RF control surfaces play a central role.
Desired Skillset
- PCB circuit and layout design.
- FPGA, microcontroller and sensor network design
- Python programming.
- Hands-on lab work experience in operating common RF and microwave equipments.