Novel microwave transparent low emissivity coating for energy-efficient glazing: towards 5G frequencies

Jeremy Fleury,Matteo Lanini,Luc Burnier,Andrea Salvadé,Mauro Di Domenico,Carine Genoud,Andreas Schueler,Erich Zimmermann

doi:10.1088/1742-6596/1343/1/012199

Abstract

Novel mobile communication technology such as 5G will provide a more efficient and reliable platform for the development of the Internet of Things. However, microwaves in the range of 5G frequencies are strongly attenuated by modern energy-efficient glazing found in most recent buildings. This paper presents major steps towards microwave transparent glazing which allows a flawless transmission of 5G frequencies while maintaining the thermal energy efficiency of the window. Several double glazing windows with different properties were fabricated with a laser treatment and their effect on the signal attenuation in the frequency range between 0.7 and 3.5 GHz was measured. The results showed that the laser treated windows produced a transmission of the microwave as good as a non-coated window. In comparison, an energy-efficient window without laser treatment reduces the signal strength up to 300 times.

Highlights

The demand for mobile communication between persons and between objects or IoT (Internet of Things) is continuously and rapidly increasing
As recently decided by the Commission fédérale de la communication (ComCom), the frequencies allocated for the fth generation of mobile radio (5G) in Switzerland will be 0.7 GHz, 3.5 GHz and 3.8 GHz [1]. 5G mobile technology oers lower cost, lower energy consumption, better transmission time and support for a very large number of devices which would provide a more ecient and reliable platform for the development of IoT. [2]. 5G frequencies, whose wavelengths range from one hundred to approx. one centimetre, are strongly attenuated by the modern energy-ecient glazing found in most recent buildings and trains [37]
To the best of our knowledge, this is the rst time laser scribed low-e coatings for energyecient windows are produced with line-to-line distance down to 0.5 mm and measured in the frequency range from 700 MHz to 3.5 GHz

Summary

Introduction

The demand for mobile communication between persons and between objects or IoT (Internet of Things) is continuously and rapidly increasing. As recently decided by the Commission fédérale de la communication (ComCom), the frequencies allocated for the fth generation of mobile radio (5G) in Switzerland will be 0.7 GHz, 3.5 GHz and 3.8 GHz [1]. 5G mobile technology oers lower cost, lower energy consumption, better transmission time (latency) and support for a very large number of devices which would provide a more ecient and reliable platform for the development of IoT. It is meaningful to further investigate and improve the transmittance of current ecient windows within this frequency range.

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion