Embedded circuit analysis and design method for reconfigurable metasurface element

Implementation of reconfigurable metasurfaces demands a complex structure. The design methodology for metasurface elements based on PIN diodes requires targeted optimisation tailored to the varying application environments and cannot be directly transplanted from one methodological approach to another. In addition, inclusion of varactors often imposes undesirable high-power consumption with complex analog drive circuitry. Furthermore, the design method for the reconfigurable metasurface element has not been simplified and unified, hindering the rapid deployment of metasurface applications. The authors propose a general design model based on low-power embedded circuitry for a multi-function metasurface element and give the corresponding numerical analysis. The authors present a reconfigurable method based on the general design model and prove that the method achieves independent regulation of amplitude and phase for the reflected electromagnetic wave. Through analysis of the sensitive area at the bottom of the embedded circuit, a gradient descent algorithm is proposed to find the optimised phase points according to device sensitivity of the application scenario and suitable strategy. Finally, the authors demonstrate that the designed metasurface element possesses phase control capability and decent phase consistency obtained via far-field scanning experiments. The proposed element design method will provide a theoretical reference for the integrated design of metasurface.