Smart Electromagnetic Surfaces to Improve V2X Communications in Millimeter-Wave 5G

Abstract

This contribution proposes the design of smart electromagnetic surfaces to improve vehicular communications (V2X) in millimeter-wave 5G. First, a dual-band passive electromagnetic skin (EMS) providing two different reflected beams is presented. The EMS can be used to improve coverage of blind zones in urban scenarios at 28 GHz, while enabling vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communications at 60 GHz. The concept has been validated by the fabrication and test of a dual-band EMS prototype, with satisfactory results. The second design consists of a multifaceted electromagnetic skin (MEMS) which can be attached to tunnel vaults or to the road safety barriers, enabling signal redirection to improve vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications at 60 GHz.