MIRAIT Corporation, a leading information & communication engineering solutions provider and Metawave Corporation, developer of data communication antenna and in-vehicle millimeter-wave radar, have conducted radio wave propagation experiments in the quasi-millimeter wave band (20 to 30 GHz) using metamaterial reflectors. They confirmed that the result reached the expected performance level.
MIRAIT is working to accelerate the technological development of the next-generation 5G mobile communication system, and emerging enterprise local 5G, which will start in earnest in the spring of 2020. Metawave has state-of-the-art technology in this field. Since last December, MIRAIT has been evaluating to confirm the practicality of Metawave’s metamaterial reflectors, which are attracting attention as an effective tool for building 5G areas. In this experiment, basic electromagnetic coupling and radiation characteristics such as the reflectance of the metamaterial reflector were confirmed. From here on, the two companies will confirm the effectiveness of metamaterial reflectors in 5G area construction based on a series of processes such as 3D data conversion of indoor space, radio wave propagation simulation, and reflector design.
MIRAIT has been engaged in the electrical equipment business, software business, and ICT business for many years, focusing on the construction of fixed communication equipment and mobile network equipment. MIRAIT strives to provide new solutions that meet the demands of society with the aim of realizing smart offices and smart towns by strengthening the business base with the engineering skills in each field. Metawave is a U.S. startup with state-of-the-art technology in the field of developing 5G radar platforms that enhance the performance of radars used in 5G area expansion and autonomous driving. Metawave ECHO passive reflectors enable faster, more efficient 5G and fixed wireless deployments to bring high-speed connectivity to billions of users as they connect indoors and outdoors around the world.
Metawave ECHO Passive Reflector Features and Characteristics:
Fully passive with no power supply required, can be installed anywhere, indoors and outdoors
- Beamforming technology using proprietary technology
- Extension of 5G NR
- Coverage for indoor dead zones and shadowed areas
- Supports high-density areas such as stadiums, shopping malls, office buildings, and airports
- Advertisement, messaging, or concealment film on cover is available as an option
Based on this experiment, MIRAIT and Metawave will continue to actively accumulate knowledge on the practical application of new technologies for building 5G areas. Both companies aim to create efficient and detailed areas using quasi-millimeter waves in 5G, which is expected to be widely used, for building private networks such as construction sites, logistics/warehouses, stadiums, hotels, office buildings, and the like as well as telecommunications carriers. Metamaterials are artificial materials that behave in response to electromagnetic waves including light, which are not found in natural materials. The purpose of applying the metamaterial reflectors for constructing 5G areas using millimeter waves and quasi-millimeter waves is to expand areas (outdoors / indoors), where otherwise impossible due to the effects of shielding.
The higher frequencies - 20 GHz to 30 GHz - are often called quasi-millimeter waves. Until now, it has not been used in the field of mobile communications, so there is room in the frequency bandwidth, and it is suitable for ultra-high-speed, large-capacity communications. On the other hand, there is a problem that the straightness is higher than the frequency band used conventionally and the amount of attenuation due to rainfall or shielding is large, but this has been solved by utilizing a reflector using metamaterial technology.
Click here to read more about METAWAVE ECHO Reflector.
