What question did this study set out to answer?

The aim is to develop transparent surfaces that enhance transmission for 5G mmWave communications while maintaining multispectral compatibility.

April 24, 2026Open Access

Smart transparent surfaces for energy-efficient buildings: enabling 5G mmWave connectivity with multispectral compatibility

TNTien Dat NguyenSeoul National University of Science and Technology JSJi Hun ShinSeoul National University of Science and Technology HKHyeon-June KimSeoul National University of Science and Technology

Key Points

The aim is to develop transparent surfaces that enhance transmission for 5G mmWave communications while maintaining multispectral compatibility.
Investigated various frequency-selective surface designs incorporating metallic and transparent coatings.
Tested two types of coatings: transparent electrode and low-E coating for performance comparison.
Measured transmission loss and spectral transmittance at different frequencies.
Both coatings achieved a transmission loss below 4.7 dB at 28 GHz.
GPTS-TE exhibited 66% VIS transmittance with balanced UV and IR transmittances of 40% and 44%, respectively.
GPTS-LE showed stronger IR/UV blocking with transmittances of 19% for IR and 29.5% for UV.

Abstract

This paper presents a glass-penetrating transparent surface (GPTS) that provides multispectral compatibility across visible light (VIS), infrared (IR), and ultraviolet (UV) bands, while improving transmission in the 5G millimeter-wave (mmWave) band. For building applications, these techniques are critical to efficiently deploy on-premises mmWave fixed wireless access (FWA) as well as wireless communications with outdoor-to-indoor and indoor-to-outdoor connectivity. To optimize transmission and angular stability, various frequency-selective surface (FSS) designs based on a metallic layer (ML) on glass (GPTS-ML) are first investigated. The ML was then replaced with two types of advanced transparent coatings PEI/Ag/PEDOT: PSS: a transparent electrode (TE) and a low-E (LE) coating with sheet resistances of 9. 2 Ω/sq and 5 Ω/sq, respectively. Both structures achieve a transmission loss below 4. 7 dB at 28 GHz, while maintaining high VIS transmittance (\: Tₕ₈ₒ) and simultaneously reducing IR transmittance (\: T₈ₑ) and UV transmittance (\: Tₔₕ). GPTS-TE provides \: Tₕ₈ₒ of approximately 66% with balanced \: Tₔₕ of 40% and \: T₈ₑ of 44%, whereas GPTS-LE exhibits stronger IR/UV blocking, with \: T₈ₑ of 19% and \: Tₔₕ of 29. 5%, while sustaining low-loss mm-wave transmission. These results illustrate a path towards multi-spectral surface applications that simultaneously support energy efficiency, user comfort, and next generation 5G mmWave FWA services. Our work highlights the potential of transparent metasurfaces as a foundational element in smart buildings and urban communications infrastructure, thereby enabling sustainable and connected living environments.

Demander à l'IA

Bookmark

View Full Paper