Chinese 6G smart surface and stealth jets

Stealth jets to turn radar into a power source​ with 6G smart surface introduced by China

Chinese scientists have developed a smart surface which could transform electromagnetic waves into usable electricity. The innovation, born from the fusion of communications technology and advanced electromagnetic engineering, could be used to develop intelligent stealth systems and next-generation 6G wireless communication, according to the team from Xidian University. The development could given China an edge in the development of 6G technology. This included investigating “electromagnetic cooperative stealth”, where multiple entities work together to reduce their visibility to radar and electromagnetic sensors. The surface eliminates the need for traditional batteries by harvesting power directly from radar or environmental signals. The technology makes 'electromagnetic cooperative stealth' possible. Basically, It's a smart electromagnetic surface capable of converting ambient electromagnetic waves into electrical power. This development represents an integration of electromagnetic engineering and communication principles.

“In the case studies, by jointly optimizing parameters such as transceiver beamforming, robot trajectories, and RIS coefficients, solutions based on multi-agent deep reinforcement learning and multi-objective optimization are proposed to solve problems such as beamforming design, path planning, target sensing and data aggregation,” said the researchers. The self-sustaining electronic system integrates wireless information transfer and energy harvesting and has the potential to upend the dynamics of electronic warfare. Instead of evading enemy surveillance, future stealth aircraft could instead use radar beams as a source of power and communication. The technology may also give China an advantage in the development of next-generation 6G technology, including communication satellites. The innovation focuses on a self-sustaining electronic system which combines wireless information transfer with energy harvesting, potentially altering the current methods used in electronic warfare and wireless networking. “Ultimately, it is expected to have a broad impact on 6G communications, the Internet of Things, intelligent stealth and other related fields,” added the researchers.

For 6G, however, the researchers say RIS need to do more than just reflect signals. They must also support sensing and radar functions on the same platform to cut costs and make better use of limited resources. Their proposed solution is an “all-in-one” radiation and scattering surface which can control both emitted and reflected electromagnetic waves. “This achieves significant savings in physical space and cost while ensuring multi-functionality across diverse application scenarios,” the team said. The system can also operate in a receiver mode, harvesting wireless energy to power itself or charge other devices. The technology utilizes a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS), which is a two-dimensional reflecting material designed to manipulate electromagnetic waves in real-time. By drawing power from radar or other environmental signals, the surface operates without the need for traditional batteries. “A reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS)-aided IoRT (Internet of Robotic Things) network is proposed to enhance the overall performance of robotic communication, sensing, computation and energy harvesting,” as the research paper says. In practical applications involving stealth aircraft, this allows for the harvesting of enemy radar beams to power onboard propulsion or communication systems, reported SCMP. This capability supports a concept known as electromagnetic cooperative stealth, where multiple networked platforms work in coordination to reduce their overall radar cross-section and visibility to sensors. Beyond military use, the surface is designed to support 6G telecommunications through integrated sensing and powering for satellites or base stations.

The technology could help power future communications systems and shift the dynamics of electronic warfare. In theory, stealth aircraft could absorb radar energy, use it to operate onboard systems and even communicate, rather than merely trying to evade detection. It's a technology that could change how stealth aircraft and wireless networks interact with radar. By turning electromagnetic signals into a source of power and communication, the system points to a future where radar is used rather than avoided, with potential implications for both military stealth and next-generation 6G connectivity. The research, led by a team at Xidian University, combines advances in communications technology with electromagnetic engineering. Instead of focusing only on hiding from enemy sensors, the team is exploring what it calls “electromagnetic cooperative stealth”, where platforms work together to manage how they interact with radar and other detection systems. The hardware platform integrates data transmission and radar-like functionality to optimize the use of spectrum and hardware resources. Current prototypes demonstrate the ability to perform beam steering up to ±45° with low side lobes, which improves signal coverage in scenarios where a direct line-of-sight is obstructed by physical barriers.

At the heart of the work is a self-sustaining electronic system which brings communication, sensing and energy harvesting together in a single hardware platform. This means electromagnetic waves used for detection or communication could also serve as a source of power. In theory, stealth aircraft could absorb radar energy, use it to operate onboard systems and even communicate, rather than merely trying to evade detection. This integrated approach could reduce the risk of eavesdropping and interference while expanding what advanced military and civilian systems can do. “Ultimately, it is expected to have a broad impact on 6G communications, the Internet of Things, intelligent stealth and other related fields,” the team said. The researchers describe this RIS architecture as a low-cost and highly programmable solution for future wireless networks. By jointly manipulating scattered electromagnetic waves and actively radiated signals, the system reduces the physical space and hardware costs typically required for such multi-functionality. The surface can be configured to create intentional radio dead zones, a feature which helps mitigate signal interference and reduces the risk of electronic eavesdropping. The team suggests that this architecture will eventually enable environment-adaptive integrated sensing systems, micro base stations and self-powered relay systems. 

Many scientists believe the biggest leap in next-generation wireless communication will come not just from faster chips or antennas, but from rethinking how signals travel through the environment. A major focus of 6G research is reconfigurable intelligent surfaces, or RIS. These are flat surfaces made up of many small, controllable elements which can reflect and shape wireless signals to improve coverage, security and signal quality. According to the report, supporters of the technology say 6G could blur the line between the physical and digital worlds, enabling applications such as holograms, digital twins and large-scale Internet of Things networks. The US and China are also racing to build space-based data centres which could support AI and future wireless connectivity, including 6G systems. As next-generation wireless communications increasingly focus on the transmission channel, the ability to include sensing, communication and power harvesting into a single hardware platform is expected to impact fields ranging from the Internet of Things to intelligent stealth. Previous research has suggested RIS could be used for anti-jamming systems, drone communication and radio surveillance, areas where older tools struggle. Other studies have pointed to their role in improving air-to-ground security for connected devices, creating deliberate dead zones to prevent eavesdropping, and even helping satellite-to-ground communication by redirecting signals around obstacles. The Xidian University team reportedly argues that RIS are attractive because they are relatively low-cost, programmable and easy to deploy.

“As the technology continues to mature, it is envisioned that RISs may play a pivotal role in enabling more sophisticated, efficient, and reliable robotic operations, opening a new era of advancements in intelligent and connected systems,” concluded the paper. According to the researchers, the design could work in both direct line-of-sight communication and in environments where buildings or other obstacles block signals. Looking ahead, they say the architecture could support adaptive communication systems, compact base stations, relay networks and self-powered sensing platforms. If successful, the technology could strengthen China’s position in the global race for 6G, while also reshaping how future stealth and communication systems interact with the electromagnetic world for everyone.