A Metasurface Glass for Energy Saving and 5G Mobile Communication Signal Enhancement

Small. 2024 Nov 26:e2408598. doi: 10.1002/smll.202408598. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Windows constitute a significant portion of the facade in buildings and modern ground transportation vehicles, such as commercial skyscrapers, high-speed trains, and subway systems. Traditional glass windows lack adequate thermal insulation and heat retention capabilities; Low-Emissivity (Low-E) glass can block external infrared radiation, it also impedes mobile communication signals, particularly those in the 5G Sub6G frequency band. This paper introduces an innovative metasurface glass designed to enhance 5G mobile communication signals within the interior of glass windows. Through simulation and experimental validation, this design has demonstrated a signal enhancement of over 10 dB within a 150 mm range before and after the focal point, and 100 mm in the vertical direction, compared to ordinary glass; at the focal point, the signal enhancement exceeds 15 dB. Furthermore, tests conducted across various real-world scenarios have confirmed that within areas covered by 5G signals, the RSRP of the signal at the focal point has increased by approximately 6-9 dB. In addition, the outer surface of this metasurface glass possesses low-emissivity characteristics, effectively blocking external infrared thermal radiation and reducing heat exchange with the interior of the glass window, thereby showing a significant advantage in maintaining a stable indoor temperature.

Keywords: 5G mobile communication; energy saving; metasurface glass; multi‐focus superposition focusing.