Inkjet printed intelligent reflecting surface (IRS) for indoor applications

A passive, low-cost, paper-based intelligent reflecting surface (IRS) is designed to reflect a signal in a desired direction to overcome non-line-of-sight scenarios in indoor environments. The IRS is fabricated using conductive silver ink printed on a paper with a specific nanoparticle arrangement, yielding a cost effective paper-based IRS that can easily be mass-produced. Full-wave numerical simulation results were consistent with measurements results, demonstrating the IRS's ability to reflect incident wave into a desired nonspecular direction based on the inkjet-printed design and materials.