The future mobile communications standard 6G will enable many new applications and increasing networking of devices. The use of high frequency ranges increases the maximum achievable bandwidth for data transmission in 6G networks. Energy losses on the radio link and radio shadowing caused by buildings, for example, pose a challenge. This significantly reduces the possible network coverage compared with the use of lower frequencies. To compensate for these disadvantages, the number of active transmitting antennas in the coverage area can be increased. Another solution is to intelligently influence the propagation of radio waves. So-called reconfigurable surfaces, which are attached to a house wall, for example, are promising for this purpose. These can change their surface properties to specifically control the reflection of 6G radio waves. This process is also much more energy-efficient, as fewer active transmitters are needed.

Goals and Approach

The aim of the “Liquid Crystal Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces” (6G-LICRIS) project is to develop reconfigurable surfaces. New materials based on liquid crystals are being developed for this purpose. Compared to semiconductor materials, these are better suited for higher frequencies. The newly developed technology will be integrated into a test mobile radio network to investigate radio wave propagation using the reflective surfaces. Finally, the researchers plan to integrate the 6G-LICRIS technology into a real radio environment to demonstrate end-to-end data transmissions in the real mobile network.