Development of Reconfigurable Metasurfaces for enhanced signal coverage in the FR3 band for future 6G Communications

Apply and key information

This project is funded by:

Department for the Economy (DfE)

Summary

Wireless communications rely on the efficient transmission and reception of electromagnetic waves, which can be obstructed by several obstacles. Lower frequencies, such as those use in Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz), are still capable of reaching relatively long distances through walls, however, in applications where higher data transmission rates are required, the higher frequencies allocated to them will suffer with loss of line-of-sight (LoS).

The newly discussed Frequency Range 3 (FR3) for future 6G communications, ranging from 7.125 GHz to 24.25 GHz, may require a network architecture that maintains constant LoS between a base station (BS) and the user equipment (UE), illuminating shadow regions whilst being energy efficient [1].

Solutions such as cell-free massive MIMO [2] and Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS) [3-5] are being thoroughly investigated by academics and companies in the telecommunications space.

While these are promising technologies that will potentially work together towards the future of wireless communications, RIS in particular, require a complex architecture composed of active switching elements, such as a PIN or varactor diode, shift registers and an intricate control of the unit-cells, requiring an FPGA or microcontroller to provide the phase configuration required to steer the BS beam towards the UE [7].

This PhD proposal tackles the challenges of developing two different types of metasurfaces, passive and active, operating within the FR3 band, to work together with cell-free massive MIMO to provide a seamless experience for future users of 6G networks.

The project will use state-of-the art electromagnetic simulation software to investigate (i) the design of a passive reflective metasurface, known as Smart Electromagnetic Skin (SES) [6], to enhance signals that can be tailored for indoor or outdoor scenarios, and (ii) a RIS which can dynamically perform beam steering towards regions or users in high demanding scenarios.

In sequence, the fabrication and characterisation of the proposed devices will be carried out within our facilities.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

First Class Honours (1st) Degree
Masters at 65%
Work experience relevant to the proposed project
Publications - peer-reviewed

Equal Opportunities

The University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community, particularly from those with disabilities.

Appointment will be made on merit.

Funding and eligibility

This project is funded by:

Department for the Economy (DfE)

Our fully funded PhD scholarships will cover tuition fees and provide a maintenance allowance of £21,000 (approximately) per annum for three years* (subject to satisfactory academic performance). A Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) of £900 per annum is also available.

These scholarships, funded via the Department for the Economy (DfE), are open to applicants worldwide, regardless of residency or domicile.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

*Part time PhD scholarships may be available to home candidates, based on 0.5 of the full time rate, and will require a six year registration period.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies.

Recommended reading

[1] G. G. Machado, M. A. B. Abbasi, and V. Fusco, "6G radio hardware—contributing to the net-zero target," in The Role of 6G and Beyond on the Road to Net-Zero Carbon, M. A. Imran, A. Taha, S. Ansari, H. Usman, and Q. H. Abbasi, Eds. 1st ed., vol. 1. Hoboken, NJ, USA: Wiley, 2023, pp. 19–36.

[2] H. Q. Ngo, A. Ashikhmin, H. Yang, E. G. Larsson, and T. L. Marzetta, "Cell-free massive MIMO versus small cells," IEEE Trans. Wireless Commun., vol. 16, no. 3, pp. 1834–1850, Mar. 2017.

[3] C. Huang, A. Zappone, G. C. Alexandropoulos, M. Debbah, and C. Yuen, "Reconfigurable intelligent surfaces for energy efficiency in wireless communications," IEEE Trans. Wireless Commun., vol. 18, no. 8, pp. 4157–4170, Aug. 2019.

[4] G. G. Machado, M. A. B. Abbasi, A. McKernan, C. Gu, and D. Zelenchuk, "Wideband dual-polarized 1-bit unit-cell design for mmWave reconfigurable intelligent surface," in Proc. 18th Eur. Conf. Antennas Propag. (EuCAP), Glasgow, U.K.

[5] G. G. Machado, A. McKernan, C. Gu, D. Zelenchuk, M. Saikia, O. Yurduseven, S. Cotton, and M. A. B. Abbasi, "A modified 1-bit unit-cell for mmWave RIS optimized at extreme incident angle," in Proc. IEEE Int. Symp. Antennas Propag. (APS) and INC/USNC-URSI Radio Sci. Meeting, 2024, pp. 1177–1178.

[6] Á. F. Vaquero, E. Martinez-de-Rioja, M. Arrebola, J. A. Encinar, and M. Achour, "Smart electromagnetic skin to enhance near-field coverage in mm-wave 5G indoor scenarios," IEEE Trans. Antennas Propag., vol. 72, no. 5, pp. 4311–4326, May 2024.

[7] F. Kasem, G. G. Machado, S. Cotton, M. A. B. Abbasi, and D. Zelenchuk, "Experimental verification of broadband mmWave RIS-aided communications: codebook-based beam steering and indoor channel measurements," in Proc. 19th Eur. Conf. Antennas Propag. (EuCAP), 2025.

[8] S. L. Cotton, M. A. B. Abbasi, G. G. Machado, and O. Yurduseven, "Reconfigurable intelligent edges: Illuminating the shadow region in wireless networks," IEEE Access, vol. 10, pp. 101732–101748, 2022.