A Convolution-Based Coding Metasurface for Wide-Angle Beam Steering for Enhanced 5G Wireless Communications

With the rapid development of 5G communication technology, there is an increasing demand for high-performance antennas and beam control technologies, making the development of novel metamaterial structures capable of precise electromagnetic wave manipulation a current research hotspot. This paper presents a coding metasurface specifically designed for 5G communication applications, operating at a frequency of 3.5 GHz. The design employs a unique annular metasurface unit structure capable of achieving both single-beam and dual-beam functionalities. Through convolution operations, precise control over the reflection angle is achieved, with an adjustable range from 51.5° to 17.5° and a resolution of 10°. This design overcomes the inherent limitations of traditional gradient coding methods, providing a comprehensive framework for wide-angle reflection control in metasurface design. The research results demonstrate that the coding metasurface can effectively control the reflection direction of electromagnetic waves at 3.5 GHz, exhibiting dual-polarization modulation capabilities and maintaining stable performance under oblique incidence conditions within 20°. Experimental validation confirms the beam control functionality of the design in real-world environments, highlighting its potential to enhance signal reception sensitivity and transmission efficiency in 5G wireless communications. This work opens new avenues for research in reconfigurable and intelligent metasurfaces, with potential applications extending beyond 5G to future 6G networks and Internet of Things (IoT) systems.