Metasurface Modeling for Next Generation Wireless Communications

Metasurface reflectors are considered promising candidates for improvement of indoor coverage in 5G and forthcoming 6G communications systems. While electromagnetic properties of such reflectors are extensively studied, their effect on the wireless channel and system throughput are much less understood. We review design considerations for metasurface reflectors for 5G mm-wave communications links and share some system-level modeling results. Special emphasis is given to the study of indoor propagation and the combined effect of scattering from the walls, ceiling, floor or other obstacles along the propagation paths together with signal reflection from metasurfaces.