46 research outputs found
Terahertz Wireless Channels: A Holistic Survey on Measurement, Modeling, and Analysis
Terahertz (0.1-10 THz) communications are envisioned as a key technology for
sixth generation (6G) wireless systems. The study of underlying THz wireless
propagation channels provides the foundations for the development of reliable
THz communication systems and their applications. This article provides a
comprehensive overview of the study of THz wireless channels. First, the three
most popular THz channel measurement methodologies, namely, frequency-domain
channel measurement based on a vector network analyzer (VNA), time-domain
channel measurement based on sliding correlation, and time-domain channel
measurement based on THz pulses from time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS), are
introduced and compared. Current channel measurement systems and measurement
campaigns are reviewed. Then, existing channel modeling methodologies are
categorized into deterministic, stochastic, and hybrid approaches.
State-of-the-art THz channel models are analyzed, and the channel simulators
that are based on them are introduced. Next, an in-depth review of channel
characteristics in the THz band is presented. Finally, open problems and future
research directions for research studies on THz wireless channels for 6G are
elaborated.Comment: to appear in IEEE Communications Surveys and Tutorial
6G Wireless Systems: Vision, Requirements, Challenges, Insights, and Opportunities
Mobile communications have been undergoing a generational change every ten
years or so. However, the time difference between the so-called "G's" is also
decreasing. While fifth-generation (5G) systems are becoming a commercial
reality, there is already significant interest in systems beyond 5G, which we
refer to as the sixth-generation (6G) of wireless systems. In contrast to the
already published papers on the topic, we take a top-down approach to 6G. We
present a holistic discussion of 6G systems beginning with lifestyle and
societal changes driving the need for next generation networks. This is
followed by a discussion into the technical requirements needed to enable 6G
applications, based on which we dissect key challenges, as well as
possibilities for practically realizable system solutions across all layers of
the Open Systems Interconnection stack. Since many of the 6G applications will
need access to an order-of-magnitude more spectrum, utilization of frequencies
between 100 GHz and 1 THz becomes of paramount importance. As such, the 6G
eco-system will feature a diverse range of frequency bands, ranging from below
6 GHz up to 1 THz. We comprehensively characterize the limitations that must be
overcome to realize working systems in these bands; and provide a unique
perspective on the physical, as well as higher layer challenges relating to the
design of next generation core networks, new modulation and coding methods,
novel multiple access techniques, antenna arrays, wave propagation,
radio-frequency transceiver design, as well as real-time signal processing. We
rigorously discuss the fundamental changes required in the core networks of the
future that serves as a major source of latency for time-sensitive
applications. While evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of key 6G
technologies, we differentiate what may be achievable over the next decade,
relative to what is possible.Comment: Accepted for Publication into the Proceedings of the IEEE; 32 pages,
10 figures, 5 table
1-D broadside-radiating leaky-wave antenna based on a numerically synthesized impedance surface
A newly-developed deterministic numerical technique for the automated design of metasurface antennas is applied here for the first time to the design of a 1-D printed Leaky-Wave Antenna (LWA) for broadside radiation. The surface impedance synthesis process does not require any a priori knowledge on the impedance pattern, and starts from a mask constraint on the desired far-field and practical bounds on the unit cell impedance values. The designed reactance surface for broadside radiation exhibits a non conventional patterning; this highlights the merit of using an automated design process for a design well known to be challenging for analytical methods. The antenna is physically implemented with an array of metal strips with varying gap widths and simulation results show very good agreement with the predicted performance
Beam scanning by liquid-crystal biasing in a modified SIW structure
A fixed-frequency beam-scanning 1D antenna based on Liquid Crystals (LCs) is designed for application in 2D scanning with lateral alignment. The 2D array environment imposes full decoupling of adjacent 1D antennas, which often conflicts with the LC requirement of DC biasing: the proposed design accommodates both. The LC medium is placed inside a Substrate Integrated Waveguide (SIW) modified to work as a Groove Gap Waveguide, with radiating slots etched on the upper broad wall, that radiates as a Leaky-Wave Antenna (LWA). This allows effective application of the DC bias voltage needed for tuning the LCs. At the same time, the RF field remains laterally confined, enabling the possibility to lay several antennas in parallel and achieve 2D beam scanning. The design is validated by simulation employing the actual properties of a commercial LC medium
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Millimeter wave wearable communication networks : analytic modeling and MIMO support
Future high-end wearable electronic devices including virtual reality goggles and augmented reality glasses require rates of the order of gigabits-per-second and potentially very low latency. Supporting high data rate wireless connectivity for applications such as uncompressed video streaming among wearable devices in a densely crowded environment is challenging. This is primarily due to bandwidth scarcity when many users operate multiple devices simultaneously. The millimeter wave (mmWave) band has the potential to address this bottleneck, thanks to more spectrum and less interference because of signal blockage at these frequencies. This dissertation addresses key questions that need to be answered before realizing mmWave-based wearables in practice: (i) what are the expected achievable rates in a crowded user environment, with mmWave devices using a given hardware configuration? (ii) how is the wireless connectivity affected in an indoor operation, which is prone to surface reflections? (iii) can multi-stream data transmission, involving large bandwidth communication under hardware constraints be realized? To answer these, tools from stochastic geometry and compressive sensing, and architectures involving hybrid analog/digital multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) are leveraged. The main contributions of this dissertation are 1) analytical modeling to compute average achievable rates in mmWave wearable networks consisting of finite number of user devices and human blockages, 2) characterizing the impact of reflections and non-isotropic performance of mmWave wearable networks in crowded indoor environments, 3) channel estimation to support MIMO for wideband mmWave wearable devices using hybrid architecture, and 4) designing optimal, but easy-to-implement, precoding/combining strategies in frequency-selective mmWave systems. Both analysis and numerical simulations show how the proposed evaluation methodology and solutions serve to enable mmWave based communication among next generation wearable electronic devices.Electrical and Computer Engineerin