Dynamic Metasurface Antennas For Smart Sensing. Duke University.pdf · ‣Can be integrated into smart appliances (sensing through walls, gesture recognition, etc.) The smart thermostat

Dynamic Metasurface Antennas For Smart Sensing

Team: David R. SmithMohammadreza ImaniJonah GollubOren MizrahiParker TrofatterAlexander Oesterling

Duke University, Durham, NC

‣ An active microwave sensor made with inexpensive components that does not rely on wireless communication or radar hardware

‣ Alternatively, the technology can be integrated into smart appliances

Smart TV that can detect user location or gesture

RF sensors (WiFi based)Pros: Simple implementation.Cons: Requires Pre-existing WiFi

Privacy and security issues, Complicated processing

RF Sensors (Radar Based)Pros: no pre-existing wireless network, Secure and privateCons: FMCW - Requires large bandwidth, expensive hardware

CW – inexpensive but requires LOS or array of antennas

IR sensors (pyroelectric)Pros: Low cost, Secure, Private.Cons: High false negatives, only LOS

Human Presence Sensing

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Motivation‣ A 20-30% reduction in HVAC energy would translate into $15 per month saving per household in the U.S. ‣ At the national scale, it would save 100 billion kWh or approximately $15 billion annually, and would

eliminate 1.12 billion tons of pollutants annually.Current technologyProposed solution

Our Technology

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Product Vision‣ Key Hardware: a dynamic metasurface antenna (DMA) that

replaces a large antenna array with a single-port device‣ A inexpensive PCB based device that can be retrofitted to all

buildings (requires a power plug, but is location agnostic)‣ Single frequency operation, Low RF power (no FCC issues),

no interference issues‣ Low power consumption‣ Secure (no privacy issues)Commercial Perspective‣ targets fragmented market‣ Uniquely capable hardware (non LOS, large monitoring

area)‣ Targets market with high growth potential in the U.S. (But

must be a extremely reliable solution)‣ Can be integrated into smart appliances (sensing through

walls, gesture recognition, etc.)

The smart thermostat market was valued at USD 689.8 million, in 2018, and is expected to reach a value of $2322.2 million by 2024, at a CAGR of 23.1% during the forecast period (2019 - 2024).

From 2011 to 2015, the global household smart appliance market is projected to grow from $3.06 billion to $15.12 billion.

Smart TV that can detect user location or gesture

Applying DMA to Human Presence Detection

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Innovative Hardware and Software Co-design‣ The dynamic metasurface antennas (DMA) generates a

multitude of distinct radiation patterns, which scatter/reflect throughout the building, interrogating its topology and occupants, simultaneously.

‣ The received field exhibits fluctuations as a function of the DMA tuning state and the dynamic scatterers (e.g. a person)

‣ Statistics of these fluctuations are analyzed to reveal motion‣ The temporal signature of the fluctuation distinguishes the

source of the motion‣ The DMA achieves spatial diversity of a massive antenna

array from a single port device at a single frequencyCustomer perspective‣ Aesthetics: a planar thin device connected to a plug‣ No need for pre-existing wireless infrastructure‣ Simple installation and calibration‣ No security/privacy/interference concerns‣ Can operate around corners and through walls (extended

coverage)‣ Add-on capabilities: fall detection, gesture recognition

Tuning mask

Radiation pattern

Prototype Status

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‣ Basic operation verified– A DMA outperforms fixed-pattern

antenna‣ Custom radio hardware is being

engineered‣ Currently developing coverage maps

and software processing‣ Potential alternative applications (hand

gesture recognition) have been demonstrated

‣ Next year end-goal– Stand-alone sensor (integrated with

RF transceiver)– Optimized DMA design– Optimized processing

Experimental Demonstration of Enhanced SensitivityUsing DMA

DMA detects breathing in nLOS areas of a room.

Noise floor

Using fixed-pattern antenna Using DMA

Noise floor

Detecting 10 fixed hand gestures at a single frequency.

Future Outlook

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‣ We have extensive experience with cultivating disruptive technology from proof-of-concept to commercialization. We will target:

– Human presence detection– Gesture recognition– Sensing through walls and barriers

‣ We will pursue focused product development and prototyping, addressing price, packaging, supply chain and related issues as appropriate.

Kymeta MSAT/mTennasatellite antenna

Echodyne Metasurfaceantennas for radar applications

Startups from IV-Duke efforts on metamaterials:

…also, Evolv Technology, Pivotal Commware, Holosense, CarillonWe are looking for partners for either spinoff or licensing possibilities, or

project collaboration, or new project funding.