1-Bit Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface Unit Cell Based on Non-Volatile Technology at D-Band

Research on Programmable Electromagnetic Surfaces has gained considerable attention as an enabling technology for 6G communications, particularly at millimeter-wave and sub-THz bands. However, RISs face challenges related to the need for high-performance reconfigurable techniques that offer compact size and reduced power consumption at high frequencies. Moreover, the experimental characterization of unit cell performance using a waveguide remains a challenging issue. This paper discusses the design and performance analysis of a 1-bit reconfigurable unit cell at the D-band using non-volatile reconfigurable technology. The efficiency analysis of the unit cell was performed using periodic boundary conditions and waveguide configurations to mitigate simulation risks and validate the proposed design at the unit cell level. All simulation configurations confirmed an operational bandwidth of 25.65 GHz across the 147.8-173.45 GHz range, with a reflection loss of less than 1 dB and a phase difference within 180° ± 20°.