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Nanosecond-level time-domain coding metasurface for radar signal generation.
Boyang Qian1, Hanjun Zhao1, Xiaohua Zhu1
1School of Electronic and Optical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, China.
Nature Communications
|November 27, 2025
Summary
This study introduces a novel time-domain coding metasurface (TDCM) with nanosecond phase-tuning speeds. This breakthrough enables faster electromagnetic wave manipulation for advanced applications like frequency-modulated continuous-wave radar.
Area of Science:
- Electromagnetic wave manipulation
- Metamaterials engineering
- Radar technology
Background:
- Time-domain coding metasurfaces (TDCMs) enable rapid manipulation of electromagnetic wave spectra.
- Current TDCMs face limitations in phase-tuning speed, restricting modulation bandwidth and applications.
- Existing varactor-based methods are constrained by frequency limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a TDCM with significantly enhanced phase-tuning speed.
- To overcome the frequency limitations of conventional varactor-based TDCMs.
- To demonstrate the practical application of the novel TDCM in radar systems.
Main Methods:
- Designed a TDCM utilizing a reconfigurable PIN-diode array for rapid state transitions.
- Achieved phase tuning within a 360° cycle in 20 nanoseconds.
- Extended the TDCM design for operation in Ku- and millimeter-wave bands.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated nanosecond-level phase tuning (20 ns) with a PIN-diode array TDCM.
- Successfully generated a 10-MHz bandwidth frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) signal.
- Validated the TDCM's performance in a C-band FMCW radar prototype for drone measurement.
Conclusions:
- The novel PIN-diode array TDCM achieves unprecedented phase-tuning speeds, overcoming varactor limitations.
- This advancement significantly enhances modulation bandwidth for electromagnetic wave manipulation.
- The TDCM shows great promise for high-performance radar systems and other advanced applications.
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