Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface Y.RIS Combined with AI to Forge Smart, Energy-Efficient, and Low-Cost B5G/6G Solution
YTTEK collaborates with DIREK, a UK-based smart building management solutions provider, and the University of Surrey to integrate Y.RIS with AI-assisted tracking technology. This integration automates Y.RIS beam direction settings to track moving individuals, accelerates the adoption and promotion of 5G mmWave (millimeter-wave) and future 6G THz (terahertz) wide-band applications.
Demonstration of Y.RIS integrated with AI-assisted tracking technology.
Considering the signal-blocking challenges encountered in high-frequency wireless transmission for 5G mmWave and future B5G/6G networks, RIS (reconfigurable intelligent surface) is considered an energy-efficient and cost-effective solution to eliminate signal dead zones. YTTEK’s Y.RIS utilizes advanced liquid crystal techniques to design metasurface antenna subunits (Unit Cells) on glass surfaces. Through precise phase control achieved by applying voltage to the electrodes at both ends of the liquid crystal, the electric field and polarization direction are altered, subsequently adjusting its effective dielectric constant (permittivity) and modifying the signal phase accordingly. The flexibility of the liquid crystal panel allows signals to be reflected in various directions, making it an advanced solution in RIS.
YTTEK’s key technology for liquid crystal RIS, combined with DIREK and the University of Surrey’s AI-assisted tracking technology, provides Y.RIS with optimal beamwidth and reflection angle settings, enabling network-intelligent automatic configuration. This allows Y.RIS to accurately reflect signals to the location of individuals through AI-assisted tracking, automatically adjust settings based on different locations or indoor layouts, and enhance Y.RIS’s energy efficiency.
This collaboration further advances the application of B5G/6G and 5G mmWave private networks. For example, in the context of Industry 4.0 smart factories, where large equipment often causes signal dead zones, and numerous AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles) move around. By strategically deploying 5G mmWave base stations in conjunction with Y.RIS in corners or areas obstructed by mechanical equipment and leveraging AI tracking technology to dynamically reflect signals to moving AGVs, we can achieve a holistic solution for 5G-enabled smart factories.
This deployment method also potentially creates a more cost-effective and energy-efficient communication system. For example, to set up a smart factory, 5 small cells are required, with 2 of them dedicated to reinforcing dead zones. This setup costs approximately $5,000 and consumes around 750 watts of energy. However, if the small cells initially used to cover dead zones are replaced with 2 RIS units, the cost is reduced to approximately $3,400, and power consumption is lowered to 604 watts.
The collaboration between YTTEK, DIREK, and the University of Surrey integrates cross-disciplinary technologies. It combines Y.RIS with AI-assisted tracking technology, sparking the most intelligent and energy-efficient 5G mmWave, B5G/6G solutions.
