Conceptual visualization of PRISM's metamaterial reconfigurable surface
01Mission Statement
PRISM is JPL's most forward-looking project — a deep dive into programmable electromagnetic surfaces that can reshape how we communicate, sense, and image the world. Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS) are arrays of sub-wavelength elements, each individually tunable, that can collectively control the phase, amplitude, and polarization of reflected electromagnetic waves.
Think of it as a mirror that doesn't just reflect light — it decides where to send it. By electronically controlling thousands of metamaterial unit cells, PRISM creates surfaces that can steer beams, null interference, correct wavefronts, and even compute — all without any moving parts or active RF chains.
02Core Technology
Metamaterial Unit Cell Design
Each PRISM unit cell is a sub-wavelength resonator — typically a patch-varactor-patch structure on a PCB substrate. By varying the bias voltage on the varactor diode, the cell's resonant frequency shifts, changing the phase of the reflected wave. Simulated in COMSOL with full-wave electromagnetic analysis.
Beamforming Algorithm
Our custom beamforming software computes the optimal phase distribution across the surface for any desired beam pattern. Supports single-beam steering, multi-beam splitting, null placement, and Orbital Angular Momentum (OAM) mode generation. Runs in real-time on FPGA with <1ms reconfiguration latency.
mmWave Testbed
Operating at 28 GHz (5G mmWave band), our testbed includes a horn antenna transmitter, the PRISM surface (currently 16×16 elements), and a scanning receiver on a motorized positioner. Full radiation pattern measurement with 0.5° angular resolution in an anechoic chamber environment.
Optical Extension
While the current prototype operates at mmWave, the underlying physics scales to optical frequencies. We're investigating nano-fabricated metasurfaces for adaptive optics applications — potentially replacing bulky deformable mirrors with flat, lightweight, electronically-controlled surfaces for telescopes and laser systems.
03Specifications
04Applications
"A surface that thinks about light. That's not science fiction — that's a Tuesday in the PRISM lab."
PRISM's technology has transformative potential across multiple domains. In 5G/6G telecommunications, RIS panels can extend coverage into dead zones without additional base stations. In satellite communications, lightweight RIS can replace heavy phased arrays. In astronomy, optical metasurfaces could enable next-generation adaptive optics for ground-based telescopes. And in radar and sensing, programmable surfaces create new possibilities for passive, low-power surveillance systems.
05Prototype Validation
Unit Cell Sweep
Each cell geometry is characterized across bias voltage, frequency response, insertion loss, phase range, and thermal drift before it is promoted into a larger array design.
Array Calibration
The surface is calibrated as a system, not just as isolated cells. Phase errors, manufacturing tolerance, connector loss, and control-line coupling are measured and compensated in software.
Pattern Measurement
Beam steering and null placement are verified with scanned radiation patterns. The practical success metric is repeatable beam control, not only a good simulation plot.
Optical Scaling Study
The mmWave prototype provides a measurable stepping stone toward photonic metasurfaces, where fabrication tolerance and material selection become the dominant engineering constraints.
06Research Roadmap
PRISM's next phase is a calibrated 16 by 16 surface with repeatable phase-state control and measured far-field steering. After that, the roadmap expands toward larger arrays, multi-beam operation, and integration with NOVA-style optical sensing.
The long-term ambition is a family of programmable surfaces that can serve communication, sensing, and adaptive optics workloads from one shared research platform.
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Interested in PRISM?
We're looking for RF engineers, metamaterial researchers, and photonics specialists.