KT Develops RIS Technology for Adjusting Radio Wave Direction... Improving 5G Quality

Researchers from KT Convergence Technology Institute and Seoul National University verifying the performance of RIS (Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface) technology. Photo by KT

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Su-yeon] KT announced on the 15th that it has succeeded in developing and verifying RIS (Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface), an ultra-small antenna technology, in collaboration with Professor Oh Jung-seok's research team at Seoul National University.

The RIS technology jointly developed by KT and Seoul National University is a technology that attaches ultra-small antennas in the form of transparent films or panels to building glass or walls to transmit signals. It is characterized by controlling the material properties of the antenna with ultra-low power to adjust the transmission and reflection direction of radio waves.

KT applied the newly developed RIS technology at the KT Research and Development Center in Seocho-gu, Seoul, successfully improving wireless communication quality in shadow areas with weak 5G signals within the office building.

Unlike existing technologies, KT's RIS technology can change the direction of radio waves according to changes in the deployment environment and user movement paths, making it easy to expand wireless network coverage in areas where it is difficult to install base stations or relay devices.

Additionally, there are fewer constraints to consider during deployment, such as location and optimization time, and since the direction of radio waves is adjusted via software, wireless quality can be effectively enhanced.

As the global mobile communication standardization organization (3GPP) is focusing on RIS technology as one of the next-generation wireless network technologies, KT plans to continuously discover 5G evolution technologies and 6G element technologies, including RIS technology, to lead wireless network evolution and secure leadership in 6G technology.

Professor Oh Jung-seok of the Department of Electrical and Information Engineering at Seoul National University stated, "This collaboration with KT signifies the successful development and verification of large-area RIS technology that can expand coverage even when installed arbitrarily aligned with wireless transceivers, reflecting actual usage environments."

Lee Jong-sik, Head of the Infrastructure DX Research Lab at KT Convergence Technology Institute (Senior Executive Director), said, "The RIS technology developed this time will be a new technology that effectively expands coverage in various wireless network environments. We will continue to lead the development of technologies that enhance wireless network quality to advance domestic 5G services and strengthen 6G competitiveness."