Multi-Functional Metasurfaces with M-Type Ferrites: Shaping the Future of mmWave Absorption and Beam Steering

Abstract: This paper presents a comprehensive review and tutorial on multi-functional metasurfaces integrated with M-type ferrite materials for millimeter-wave (mmWave) absorption and beam control. As wireless communication systems transition toward beyond-5G architectures, including non-terrestrial networks (NTNs), the demand for adaptive, low-profile electromagnetic surfaces that can manage interference while enabling beam reconfiguration becomes increasingly critical. Conventional metasurfaces often struggle to simultaneously achieve high absorption and beamforming over wide frequency ranges due to intrinsic material and structural limitations. This paper reviews the state-of-the-art in metasurface design for dual-functionality, particularly those combining frequency-selective magnetic materials with periodic surface lattices, to enable passive, compact, and reconfigurable reflectors and absorbers. Special emphasis is placed on the role of M-type ferrites in enhancing absorption via ferromagnetic resonance, and on the use of surface-wave trapping mechanisms to achieve narrowband and broadband functionality. A case study of a ferrite-based hybrid "reflectsorber" (reflectorarray + absorber) is presented to demonstrate key design concepts, analytical models, and application scenarios relevant to satellite, UAV, and NTN ground station deployments. Future directions for low-loss, tunable, and scalable metasurfaces in next-generation wireless infrastructures are also discussed.