Impact of the Antenna on the Sub-Terahertz Indoor Channel Characteristics: An Experimental Approach

Terahertz-band (100 GHz-10 THz) communication is a promising radio technology envisioned to enable ultra-high data rate, reliable and low-latency wireless connectivity in next-generation wireless systems. However, the low transmission power of THz transmitters, the need for high gain directional antennas, and the complex interaction of THz radiation with common objects along the propagation path make crucial the understanding of the THz channel. In this paper, we conduct an extensive channel measurement campaign in an indoor setting (i.e., a conference room) through a channel sounder with 0.1 ns time resolution and 20 GHz bandwidth at 140 GHz. Particularly, the impact of different antenna directivities (and, thus, beam widths) on the channel characteristics is extensively studied. The experimentally obtained dataset is processed to develop the path loss model and, subsequently, derive key channel metrics such as the path loss exponent, delay spread, and K-factor. The results highlight the multi-faceted impact of the antenna gain on the channel and, by extension, the wireless system and, thus, show that an antenna-agnostic channel model cannot capture the propagation characteristics of the THz channel.

Modeling Interference for the Coexistence of 6G Networks and Passive Sensing Systems

Future wireless networks and sensing systems will benefit from access to large chunks of spectrum above 100 GHz, to achieve terabit-per-second data rates in 6th Generation (6G) cellular systems and improve accuracy and reach of Earth exploration and sensing and radio astronomy applications. These are extremely sensitive to interference from artificial signals, thus the spectrum above 100 GHz features several bands which are protected from active transmissions under current spectrum regulations. To provide more agile access to the spectrum for both services, active and passive users will have to coexist without harming passive sensing operations. In this paper, we provide the first, fundamental analysis of Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) that large-scale terrestrial deployments introduce in different satellite sensing systems now orbiting the Earth. We develop a geometry-based analysis and extend it into a data-driven model which accounts for realistic propagation, building obstruction, ground reflection, for network topology with up to $10^5$ nodes in more than $85$ km$^2$. We show that the presence of harmful RFI depends on several factors, including network load, density and topology, satellite orientation, and building density. The results and methodology provide the foundation for the development of coexistence solutions and spectrum policy towards 6G.

Terahertz Communications Can Work in Rain and Snow: Impact of Adverse Weather Conditions on Channels at 140 GHz

Next-generation wireless networks will leverage the spectrum above 100 GHz to enable ultra-high data rate communications over multi-GHz-wide bandwidths. The propagation environment at such high frequencies, however, introduces challenges throughout the whole protocol stack design, from physical layer signal processing to application design. Therefore, it is fundamental to develop a holistic understanding of the channel propagation and fading characteristics over realistic deployment scenarios and ultra-wide bands. In this paper, we conduct an extensive measurement campaign to evaluate the impact of weather conditions on a wireless link in the 130-150 GHz band through a channel sounding campaign with clear weather, rain, and snow in a typical urban backhaul scenario. We present a novel channel sounder design that captures signals with -82 dBm sensitivity and 20 GHz of bandwidth. We analyze link budget, capacity, as well as channel parameters such as the delay spread and the K-factor. Our experimental results indicate that in the considered context the adverse weather does not interrupt the link, but introduces some additional constraints (e.g., high delay spread and increase in path loss in snow conditions) that need to be accounted for in the design of reliable Sixth Generation (6G) communication links above 100 GHz.

Novel Spectrum Allocation Among Multiple Transmission Windows for Terahertz Communication Systems

This paper presents a novel spectrum allocation strategy for multiuser terahertz (THz) band communication systems when the to-be-allocated spectrum is composed of multiple transmission windows (TWs). This strategy explores the benefits of (i) allowing users to occupy sub-bands with unequal bandwidths and (ii) optimally avoiding using some spectra that exist at the edges of TWs where molecular absorption loss is high. To maximize the aggregated multiuser data rate, we formulate an optimization problem, with the primary focus on spectrum allocation. We then apply transformations and modifications to make the problem computationally tractable, and develop an iterative algorithm based on successive convex approximation to determine the optimal sub-band bandwidth and the unused spectra at the edges of TWs. Using numerical results, we show that a significantly higher data rate can be achieved by changing the sub-band bandwidth, as compared to equal sub-band bandwidth. We also show that a further data rate gain can be obtained by optimally determining the unused spectra at the edges of TWs, as compared to avoiding using pre-defined spectra at the edges of TWs.

Molecular Absorption Effect: A Double-edged Sword of Terahertz Communications

Communications in the terahertz band (THz) (0.1--10~THz) have been regarded as a promising technology for future 6G and beyond wireless systems, to overcome the challenges of evergrowing wireless data traffic and crowded spectrum. As the frequency increases from the microwave band to the THz band, new spectrum features pose unprecedented challenges to wireless communication system design. The molecular absorption effect is one of the new THz spectrum properties, which enlarges the path loss and noise at specific frequencies. This brings in a double-edged sword for THz wireless communication systems. On one hand, from the data rate viewpoint, molecular absorption is detrimental, since it mitigates the received signal power and degrades the channel capacity. On the other hand, it is worth noticing that for wireless security and covertness, the molecular absorption effect can be utilized to safeguard THz communications among users. In this paper, the features of the molecular absorption effect and their impact on the THz system design are analyzed under various scenarios, with the ultimate goal of providing guidelines to how better exploit this unique THz phenomenon. Specifically, since the molecular absorption greatly depends on the propagation medium, different communication scenarios consisting of various media are discussed, including terrestrial, air and space, sea surface and nano-scale communications. Furthermore, two novel molecular absorption enlightened secure and covert communication schemes are presented, where the molecular absorption effect is utilized as the key and unique feature to boost security and covertness.

TeraHertz Band Communication: An Old Problem Revisited and Research Directions for the Next Decade

TeraHertz (THz) band communications are envisioned as a key technology for 6G and Beyond. As a fundamental wireless infrastructure, THz communication can boost abundant promising applications. In 2014, our team published two comprehensive roadmaps for the development and progress of THz communication networks [1], [2], which helped the research community to start research on this subject afterwards. In particular, this topic became very important and appealing to the research community due to 6G wireless systems design and development in recent years. Many papers are getting published covering different aspects of wireless systems using the THz band. With this paper, our aim is looking back to the last decade and revisiting the old problems and pointing out what has been achieved in the research community so far. Furthermore, in this paper still to be investigated new research challenges for the THz band communication systems are presented by covering diverse subtopics such as from perspectives of devices, channel behavior, communication and networking problems, physical testbeds and demonstration systems. The key aspects presented in this paper will enable THz communications as a pillar of 6G and Beyond wireless systems in the next decade.

Spectrum Allocation with Adaptive Sub-band Bandwidth for Terahertz Communication Systems

We study spectrum allocation for terahertz (THz) band communication (THzCom) systems, while considering the frequency and distance-dependent nature of THz channels. Different from existing studies, we explore multi-band-based spectrum allocation with adaptive sub-band bandwidth (ASB) by allowing the spectrum of interest to be divided into sub-bands with unequal bandwidths. Also, we investigate the impact of sub-band assignment on multi-connectivity (MC) enabled THzCom systems, where users associate and communicate with multiple access points simultaneously. We formulate resource allocation problems, with the primary focus on spectrum allocation, to determine sub-band assignment, sub-band bandwidth, and optimal transmit power. Thereafter, we propose reasonable approximations and transformations, and develop iterative algorithms based on the successive convex approximation technique to analytically solve the formulated problems. Aided by numerical results, we show that by enabling and optimizing ASB, significantly higher throughput can be achieved as compared to adopting equal sub-band bandwidth, and this throughput gain is most profound when the power budget constraint is more stringent. We also show that our sub-band assignment strategy in MC-enabled THzCom systems outperforms the state-of-the-art sub-band assignment strategies and the performance gain is most profound when the spectrum with the lowest average molecular absorption coefficient is selected during spectrum allocation.

Coexistence and Spectrum Sharing Above 100 GHz

[...] This paper explores how spectrum policy and spectrum technologies can evolve to enable sharing among different stakeholders in the above 100 GHz spectrum, without introducing harmful interference or disrupting either security applications or fundamental science exploration. This portion of the spectrum presents new opportunities to design spectrum sharing schemes, based on novel antenna designs, directional ultra-high-rate communications, and active/passive user coordination. The paper provides a tutorial on current regulations above 100 GHz, and highlights how sharing is central to allowing each stakeholder to make the most out of this spectrum. It then defines - through detailed simulations based on standard International Telecommunications Union (ITU) channel and antenna models - scenarios in which active users may introduce harmful interference to passive sensing. Based on this evaluation, it reviews a number of promising techniques that can enable active/passive sharing above 100 GHz. The critical review and tutorial on policy and technologies of this paper have the potential to kickstart future research and regulations that promote safe coexistence between active and passive users above 100 GHz, further benefiting the development of digital technologies and scientific exploration.

Climate Change Sensing through Terahertz Communications: A Disruptive Application of 6G Networks

Climate change resulting from the misuse and over-exploitation of natural resources has affected and continues to impact the planet's ecosystem. This pressing issue is leading to the development of novel technologies to sense and measure damaging gas emissions. In parallel, the accelerating evolution of wireless communication networks is resulting in wider deployment of mobile telecommunication infrastructure. With 5G technologies already being commercially deployed, the research community is starting research into new technologies for 6G. One of the visions for 6G is the use of the terahertz (THz) spectrum. In this paper, we propose and explore the use of THz spectrum simultaneously for ultrabroadband communication and atmospheric sensing by leveraging the absorption of THz signals. Through the use of machine learning, we present preliminary results on how we can analyze signal path loss and power spectral density to infer the concentration of different climate-impacting gases. Our vision is to demonstrate how 6G infrastructure can provide sensor data for climate change sensing, in addition to its primary purpose of wireless communication.