Toward End-to-End, Full-Stack 6G Terahertz Networks

Recent evolutions in semiconductors have brought the terahertz band in the spotlight as an enabler for terabit-per-second communications in 6G networks. Most of the research so far, however, has focused on understanding the physics of terahertz devices, circuitry and propagation, and on studying physical layer solutions. However, integrating this technology in complex mobile networks requires a proper design of the full communication stack, to address link- and system-level challenges related to network setup, management, coordination, energy efficiency, and end-to-end connectivity. This paper provides an overview of the issues that need to be overcome to introduce the terahertz spectrum in mobile networks, from a MAC, network and transport layer perspective, with considerations on the performance of end-to-end data flows on terahertz connections.Comment: Published on IEEE Communications Magazine, THz Communications: A Catalyst for the Wireless Future, 7 pages, 6 figure

Multiple Antenna Techniques for Terahertz Nano-Bio Communication

Using higher frequency bands becomes an essential demand resulting from the explosive wireless traffic needs and the spectrum shortage of the currently used bands. This paper presents an overview on the terahertz technology and its application in the area of multi-input multi-output antenna system and in-vivo nano-communication. In addition, it presents a preliminary study on applying multiple input-single output (MISO) antenna technique to investigate the signal propagation and antenna diversity techniques inside the human skin tissues, which is represented by three layers: stratum corneum (SC), epidermis, and dermis layers, in the terahertz (THz) frequency range (0.8-1.2) THz. The spatial antenna diversity is investigated in this study to understand MISO system performance for two different in-vivo channels resulting from the signal propagation between two transmitting antennas, located at the dermis layer, and one receiving antenna, located at epidermis layer. Three techniques are investigated: selection combining (SC), equal-gain combing (EGC), and maximum-ratio combining (MRC). The initial study indicates that using multiple antenna technique with THz might be not useful for in-vivo nano-communication

Building an end user focused THz based ultra high bandwidth wireless access network: The TERAPOD approach

The TERAPOD project aims to investigate and demonstrate the feasibility of ultra high bandwidth wireless access networks operating in the Terahertz (THz) band. The proposed TERAPOD THz communication system will be developed, driven by end user usage scenario requirements and will be demonstrated within a first adopter operational setting of a Data Centre. In this article, we define the full communications stack approach that will be taken in TERAPOD, highlighting the specific challenges and aimed innovations that are targeted

Signal Path Loss Measurement for Future Terahertz Wireless Propagation Links

Terahertz Band (100GHz-10THz) offers larger bandwidth and ultra-higher data rates and is visualized as a key technology to alleviate the capacity limitation and spectrum scarcity of the currents wireless networks. There are some competent development and design challenges in the realization of wireless terahertz network. Signal high path loss is one of the major constraints for enabling wireless communication networks in the terahertz band. Thus for the consummation of wireless propagation links in the THz band an equivalent signal path loss model is designed incorporating the major peculiarities of the wireless channel that accounts for terahertz wave propagation in LoS propagation. The equivalent path loss model for terahertz LoS propagation is developed and simulated in matlabR. The simulation results are compared with the lognormal path loss model results