Two-dimensional foldable meta-lens array
A radio frequency (RF) beamformer includes a plurality of feed ports to receive input signals. The beamformer includes strips of unit cells having meta-lens material connected to the feed ports. Each feed port forms a signal within a group of unit cells of the strips. The beamformer includes a radiator array configured to transmit the signal within the respective group of unit cells. The beamformer includes at least one folding connection point located between a first strip of unit cells and a second strip of unit cells of the meta-lens material. The first strip of unit cells and the second strip of unit cells collapse on each other to stack the strips in the beamformer. The connection points move the signal between the strips of unit cells.
1 . A radio frequency (RF) beamformer comprising:
a plurality of feed ports;
a plurality of strips of unit cells comprising meta-lens material connected to the plurality of feed ports, wherein each feed port of the plurality of feed ports emits a signal within a group of unit cells within the plurality of strips;
a radiator array configured to transmit at least one signal formed in the respective group of unit cells; and
at least one folding connection point located between a first strip of unit cells and a second strip of unit cells of the plurality of strips of unit cells, wherein the first strip of unit cells and the second strip of unit cells collapse together at the at least one folding connection to form a stack of strips of unit cells,
wherein the first strip of unit cells and the second strip of unit cells are configured to propagate the at least one signal while in the stack.
2 . The RF beamformer of claim 1 , wherein the at least one folding connection point includes a slot to allow the signal to propagate between the first strip of unit cells and the second strip of unit cells.
3 . The RF beamformer of claim 1 , wherein the at least one folding connection point includes a via to allow the signal to propagate between the first strip of unit cells and the second strip of unit cells.
4 . The RF beamformer of claim 1 , wherein the at least one folding connection point includes a reflector to allow the signal to propagate between the first strip of unit cells and the second strip of unit cells.
5 . The RF beamformer of claim 1 , wherein at least one unit cell of the plurality of strips of unit cells includes a radiating element.
6 . The RF beamformer of claim 1 , wherein at least one unit cell of the plurality of strips of unit cells includes a metallic pin.
7 . The RF beamformer of claim 1 , wherein the radiator array includes a plurality of transmitting elements.
8 . The RF beamformer of claim 7 , wherein the at least one signal includes a plurality of signals transmitted by the plurality of transmitting elements.
9 . A two-dimensional radio frequency (RF) beamformer comprising:
a plurality of feed ports;
a group of horizontal strips of unit cells comprising meta-lens material connected to the plurality of feed ports, wherein each feed port of the plurality of feed ports inputs a signal within a first set of unit cells within one of the horizontal strips;
at least one horizontal folding connection point located between a first horizontal strip of unit cells and a second horizontal strip of unit cells of each of the group of horizontal strips of unit cells, wherein the first horizontal strip of unit cells and the second horizontal strip of unit cells collapse together using the at least one horizontal folding connection point to form a stack of unit cells along a horizontal axis;
a group of vertical strips of unit cells comprising the meta-lens material connected to the group of horizontal strips of unit cells, wherein the group of vertical strips further form the signal within a second set of unit cells within one of the vertical strips;
at least one vertical folding connection point located between a first vertical strip of unit cells and a second vertical strip of unit cells of each of the group of vertical strips of unit cells, wherein the first vertical strip of unit cells and the second vertical strip of unit cells collapse together using the at least one vertical folding connection point to form a stack of unit cells along a vertical axis; and
a radiator array configured to transmit the signal formed by the first set of unit cells in a horizontal direction and formed by the second set of unit cells in a vertical direction.
10 . The two-dimensional RF beamformer of claim 9 , wherein the at least one horizontal folding connection point includes a slot to allow the signal to propagate between the first horizontal strip of unit cells and the second horizontal strip of unit cells.
11 . The two-dimensional RF beamformer of claim 9 , wherein the at least one vertical folding connection point includes a slot to allow the signal to propagate between the first vertical strip of unit cells and the second vertical strip of unit cells.
12 . The two-dimensional RF beamformer of claim 9 , wherein the at least one horizontal folding connection point includes a via to allow the signal to propagate between the first horizontal strip of unit cells and the second horizontal strip of unit cells.
13 . The two-dimensional RF beamformer of claim 9 , wherein the at least one vertical folding connection point includes a via to allow the signal to propagate between the first vertical strip of unit cells and the second vertical strip of unit cells.
14 . The two-dimensional RF beamformer of claim 9 , wherein the at least one horizontal folding connection point includes a reflector to allow the signal to propagate between the first horizontal strip of unit cells and the second horizontal strip of unit cells.
15 . The two-dimensional RF beamformer of claim 9 , wherein the at least one vertical folding connection point includes a reflector to allow the signal to propagate between the first vertical strip of unit cells and the second vertical strip of unit cells.
16 . The two-dimensional RF beamformer of claim 9 , wherein at least one unit cell of the horizontal strips of unit cells includes a radiating element.
17 . The two-dimensional RF beamformer of claim 9 , wherein at least one unit cell of the horizontal strips of unit cells includes a metallic pin.
18 . The two-dimensional RF beamformer of claim 9 , wherein at least one unit cell of the vertical strips of unit cells includes a radiating element.
19 . The two-dimensional RF beamformer of claim 9 , wherein at least one unit cell of the vertical strips of unit cells includes a metallic pin.
20 . A method for propagating a signal through a radio frequency (RF) beamformer;
inputting the signal using a feed port of a plurality of feed ports connected to a meta-lens material array, wherein the meta-lens material array is stacked in a plurality of layers;
propagating the signal between the plurality of layers of the meta-lens material array using at least one folding connection point between connected layers of the plurality of layers;
applying a delay to the signal using at least one unit cell within each layer of the plurality of layers; and
transmitting the signal based on the delay from a radiator array connected to the meta-lens material array.