Abstract
Programmable metasurface holds big promise in wireless communications by virtue of its powerful capability in controlling electromagnetic waves. However, challenges exist for the programmable metasurface in achieving self-sufficient renewable energy supply and flexible and reliable multi-domain information transmissions. Here, we report a solar-powered light-modulated microwave programmable metasurface (SLMPM) by integrating a photovoltaic module to acquire information from modulated light and energy from sunlight simultaneously. Such an SLMPM enables direct, real-time, and reliable information transmissions from light to microwave domains under direct sunlight exposure, with the flexibility to implement various modulation schemes. Its low power consumption and on-board energy harvesting capability allows for 24 hours of light-to-microwave information transmission with 8 hours of sole sunlight energy input. A hybrid wireless communication system for real-time image transmission is demonstrated to show the outstanding features of SLMPM. We believe that SLMPM can contribute to the sustainable advancement of future wireless communications, rendering them more cost-effective, energy-efficient, environment-friendly, and ubiquitous.