Japan Display Inc. announced the development of the first transparent liquid crystal meta-surface reflector that can change the direction of mmWave reflection to any direction. The transparent liquid crystal meta-surface reflectsor can be placed on window glass or on advertising media, and generally in any environment or location where transparency offers added benefits, which greatly increases installation flexibility. As a result, the radio communication environment of mmWave is greatly improved, contributing to greater convenience for consumers.

While the mmWave used in 5G can provide ultra-high-speed, high-capacity, and low-latency communication services, the strong directivity of the radio wave creates coverage holes in places such as the shadows of buildings and trees, where it is difficult for the mmWave to reach. Meta-surface reflectors that reflect radio waves from base stations in a specific direction, and deliver them to coverage holes, offer a great solution to this real-world problem. As announced in October 2021, JDI has been developing direction- variable liquid crystal meta-surface reflect or that can reflect mmWave in any direction.

The newly developed transparent mmWave liquid crystal meta-surface reflector has the characteristic of reflecting mmWave in any direction, while still passing through visible light. The company have confirmed that the visible light can actually be seen through a prototype in which this technology is applied. The prototype was also confirmed to be able to reflect mmWave in any set direction.

With this achievement, it is expected that transparent mmWave liquid crystal meta-surface reflector can be placed on window glass and advertising media, and that flexible measures for the coverage holes can be taken in various scenes, in accordance with changes in the position of the coverage holes due to changes in radio environment, and with changes in communication traffic at different times of the day. This technology can be applied not only to 5G but also to Beyond5G/6G. The transparent liquid crystal meta-surface reflector will be exhibited at COMNEXT - Next Generation Communication Technology & Solutions Exhibition - to be held at Tokyo Big Sight from June 28, 2023 to June 30, 2023.