Modeling and design of RFID-controlled binary-reconfigurable frequency selective surfaces

Radiofrequency Identification (RFID) technology is entering its third generation, extending beyond identification and sensing toward the control of electromagnetic (EM) functions. Recent studies have demonstrated the feasibility of RFID-controlled antennas, metasurfaces, and intelligent surfaces, where standard RFID Integrated Circuits (ICs) act as wireless, battery-free controllers. Within this family, Frequency Selective Surfaces (FSSs) represent a particularly demanding case, since their narrowband resonant response must be precisely engineered under the discrete bias conditions imposed by RFID hardware. This paper presents a modeling and synthesis framework for binary-reconfigurable FSSs driven by RFID ICs. By exploiting the two programmable output voltages of commercial chips, the proposed FSS toggles between reflective and transparent states at a fixed frequency, enabling wirelessly programmable interfaces without any external supply. A semi-analytical Equivalent Circuit Model (ECM) links the target specifications—operating frequency and fractional bandwidth—to the lumped circuit parameters and, in turn, to the unit-cell geometry. The model provides a rapid and physically interpretable design tool, validated through full-wave simulations of multiple layouts showing agreement within 5% of numerical results.