Beam-steering 5G antenna
Efficient continuous beam-steering antenna of a simple and compact design

Background
Today there are 98 5G base stations in the UK. A very conservative estimate of what the UK will need for 5G infrastructure requires around 30,000 5G base stations to be set up within and around UK cities. There is a massive demand in efficient and low-cost technologies that allow such wide-spread of the 5G connectivity, especially in high efficiency/low loss base station antennas. The traditional dipole technologies have extremely high energy losses, low steering angles that requires large arrays of antennas, making the devices bulky and unsuitable for a whole range of applications.
Technology Overview
The researchers from Metamaterials Engineering Laboratory at the University of Birmingham have designed a new continuously beam-steering antenna of high efficiency and wide steering angle that allows strong uninterrupted signal within its whole range, while offering simple minimalistic design and a potential to increase the frequencies into 6G range.
Stage of Development
TRL level 3 = demonstrator antenna available
Benefits
- Desirable frequencies: 30 GHz – 300 GHz, (with optimisation ~25 GHz – 3 THz)
- Up to 94% efficiency (compared to conventional diode technology of 10%)
- Continuous wide angle beam steering: offers approximately 80 degrees beam steering, so can do a full 360 in 5 sectors, or 180 degrees in 2-3 sectors
- Reduced cost of elements
- Reduced cost of running
- High flexibility in design and application
- Compact electronics configuration: less space required, easier to deploy, cheaper to install, allows for deployment in traditionally impossible places such as in road furniture, public transport etc
- Wide range of applications
Applications
- Sat-com
- Internet of Things
- 5G base stations
- 6G various (VR, AR, telepresence)
- Vehicular radar
- Defence
- Sensors/scanners
Opportunity
- Partnership
- Co‑development
- Licensing
IP Status
- Provisional patent
- Patent application submitted
Seeking
- Development partner
- Commercial partner
- Licensing