Greenerwave, a deeptech startup specializing in the control of electromagnetic waves, unveiled the version 2.0 of its reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS). Based on a cheaper and far more energy-efficient new component, this version is set to revolutionize the 5G market by promising a ten-fold reduction in energy consumption and drastically lower costs compared with RIS 1.0. This new generation of RIS will soon give operators access to an agnostic, more cost-effective and energy-efficient solution allowing them to optimize their network quality without having to deploy multiple antennas. For users, it will guarantee a steady broadband connection even in the densest areas.

While 5G mainly functions today in the 3.5 GHz band, it is starting to rely on millimetric waves (28 GHz). As the frequency rises, however, range decreases and waves are less capable of crossing obstacles. This creates real connection problems for users located in internal and urban environments with limited coverage. Telecom operators therefore need to find economic and ecological solutions to meet growing demand from consumers.

Greenerwave’s RIS 2.0 is the green and affordable solution for mobile telecom operators

Greenerwave is continuing its mobile telecommunications revolution with version 2.0 of its RIS capable of controlling waves at will. The French deeptech has created passive and dynamic surfaces that can redirect millimetric waves to a specific device while adjusting their position in real time. Compatible with all 5G/5G+ networks, Greenerwave’s solution puts an end to exponential growth in transmitting antennas and amplifiers, a costly and energy-intensive solution for operators.

Greenerwave has managed to make its technology even more economically and energy-efficient by replacing one of its key components. In practical terms, this change results in a tenfold reduction in the costliest component, hugely reducing the BOM of RIS 2.0 compared with 1.0. Energy consumption is cut tenfold compared with the previous generation. These new RIS will make it possible to deploy millimetric networks at low deployment and operating costs!

Lastly, compared with traditional active repeaters, RIS 2.0 allow operators to harness significant financial gains while maintaining the same network performance.

According to Geoffroy Lerosey, co-founder and CEO of Greenerwave, “RIS technology is generating spectacular interest within the telecommunications scientific community, and an increasing number of operators and vendors are starting to take a close look at it, especially in Asia. What is still lacking is standardization of the technology by international bodies. Once this is done, Greenerwave will be ready with the most cost-effective and sustainable products on the market.”

How it works

Greenerwave designs metasurfaces comprising elements that “shape” electromagnetic, enabling directional beams to be generated and controlled. These metasurfaces consist of a group of elements of centimetric size called pixels that act as micromirrors. Each pixel can modify the sign of the reflected wave. The interactions between pixels and microwaves are managed by algorithms derived from the world of physics that direct waves after their reflection on the surface. Passive, low-cost and easy to manufacture, this technology aims to optimize the use of electromagnetic waves while drastically reducing the antenna energy consumption and production costs.

A technology validated by major partnerships and a €15M fundraising

After unveiling the pioneering concept a decade ago, the French deeptech’s technology was validated by the first 5G demonstration of RIS by NTT and AGC in Japan last year, and the first RIS network distributed at the 6G Summit in November 2022. It subsequently proved its worth at the MWC 2023 on the stand of its partner Anritsu, a Japanese instrumentation company, where its RIS capacities were presented live. Lastly, Greenerwave has just finalized in February 2024 a 15 m euro fundraising from the BPI Defense Innovation Fund, Safran Corporate Ventures, Intelsat, BNP and Plastic Omnium.