International Journal of Terahertz Science and Technology
  TST >> Vol.5, No.1, March 2012: PP. 11-17
 

(Invited Paper) Towards Future THz Communications Systems

Thomas Kürner *
Technische Universität Braunschweig, Institut für Nachrichtentechnik, Terahertz Communications Lab, Schleinitzstr. 22, D-38092 Braunschweig, Germany
* Email: t.kuerner@tu-bs.de

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Abstract: Carrier frequencies beyond 300 GHz, belonging to the so-called THz range, have received attention for considering this frequency band for future multi-gigabit short-range communication systems. This review paper gives an overview of current issues in the emerging field of THz communications targeting to deliver wireless 100 Gbps over short distances. The paper will start by introducing scenarios and applications requiring such high data rates followed by a discussion on the radio channel characteristics. In the 300 GHz frequency band, the path loss is even more significant than at 60 GHz and appropriate measures to mitigate effects in none-line-of-sight (NLOS) cases, caused e. g. by the influence of moving people, are required. Advanced antenna techniques like beam forming or beam switching are a pre-requisite to guarantee seamless service. In order to consider such techniques in the standards development, the propagation channel operating at these mm- and sub-mm wave bands in realistic environments must be well understood. Therefore, intensive channel measurement and modeling activities have been done at 300 GHz, which started a couple of years ago at Terahertz Communications Lab (TCL). Due to the short wave length, the influence of surface roughness of typical building materials plays an important role. Hence, the modeling of rough surface scattering has been one of the main areas in these investigations. In this contribution, the main results of the propagation research activities at TCL are summarized. In the last part of the paper, an overview of the state-of-the-art in technology development and successful demonstrations of data transmission will be given together with a report on the status quo of ongoing activities in standardization at IEEE 802.15 IG THz and the regulation of the spectrum beyond 300 GHz.

Keywords: THz Communications, Multi-gigabit wireless data rates, Channel characterization, Regulation and standardization.

Received: 2012-2-14

Published: 2012-3-31

Cite this article:
Thomas Kürner. (Invited Paper) Towards Future THz Communications Systems[J]. International Journal of Terahertz Science and Technology, 2012, Vol.5, No.1: 11-17.  DOI:10.11906/TST.011-017.2012.03.02

URL: http://www.tstnetwork.org/10.11906/TST.011-017.2012.03.02

 

 
 

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