The Smart Mirror: Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces for ISM Applications

This study focuses on the design and implementation of a Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface (RIS) for ISM band applications at 5.8 GHz to improve wireless communication in industrial settings. An RIS is a smart, passive surface that can control and reflect wireless signals in a desired direction by adjusting the phase of the reflected waves. The proposed system uses a 6×6 RIS patch array controlled by PIN diodes, which allows the signal to be dynamically steered toward the receiver. The research methodology was initiated with analytical modeling in MATLAB to establish the theoretical framework and perform initial phase calculations. Subsequently, the design was implemented in the CST Studio Suite for detailed electromagnetic simulations and verification. The primary focus of this investigation was the analysis of the reflection phase difference provided by the unit cells. Using this dual-platform approach, numerous simulation iterations were conducted to characterize the behavior of the array under various states. From the extensive data generated in both MATLAB and CST, specific outputs were selected based on their relevance to the desired beam steering characteristics. The analysis of these selected results demonstrates the practical feasibility of the RIS design for manipulating the signal reflection phases. The study confirms that the proposed configuration can effectively support signal enhancement objectives, making it a viable solution for improving reliability in Industrial IoT and smart manufacturing environments. The implementation demonstrated improved signal strength, enhanced coverage, reduced latency, and energy-efficient communication. The proposed RIS-assisted system provides a reliable and cost-effective solution for industrial IoT applications, making it suitable for smart manufacturing, machine-to-machine communication, and future industrial automation.