A Survey on Terahertz Communications

With the exponential growth of the data traffic in wireless communication systems, terahertz(THz) frequency band is envisioned as a promising candidate to support ultra-broadband for future beyond fifth generation(5G), bridging the gap between millimeter wave(mmWave) and optical frequency ranges. The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive literature review on the development towards THz communications and presents some key technologies faced in THz wireless communication systems. Firstly, despite the substantial hardware problems that have to be developed in terms of the THz solid state superheterodyne receiver, high speed THz modulators and THz antennas, the practical THz channel model and the efficient THz beamforming are also described to compensate for the severe path attenuation. Moreover, two different kinds of lab-level THz communication systems are introduced minutely, named a solid state THz communication system and a spatial direct modulation THz communication system, respectively. The solid state THz system converts intermediate frequency(IF) modulated signal to THz frequency while the direct modulation THz system allows the high power THz sources to input for approving the relatively long distance communications. Finally, we discuss several potential application scenarios as well as some vital technical challenges that will be encountered in the future THz communications.

Towards Intelligent Reflecting Surface Empowered 6G Terahertz Communications: A Survey

Terahertz(THz)communications have been widely envisioned as a promising enabler to provide adequate bandwidth and achieve ultra-high data rates for sixth generation(6G)wireless networks.In order to mitigate blockage vulnerability caused by serious propagation attenuation and poor diffraction of THz waves,an intelligent reflecting surface(IRS),which manipulates the propagation of incident electromagnetic waves in a programmable manner by adjusting the phase shifts of passive reflecting elements,is proposed to create smart radio environments,improve spectrum efficiency and enhance coverage capability.Firstly,some prospective application scenarios driven by the IRS empowered THz communications are introduced,including wireless mobile communications,secure communications,unmanned aerial vehicle(UAV)scenario,mobile edge computing(MEC)scenario and THz localization scenario.Then,we discuss the enabling technologies employed by the IRS empowered THz system,involving hardware design,channel estimation,capacity optimization,beam control,resource allocation and robustness design.Moreover,the arising challenges and open problems encountered in the future IRS empowered THz communications are also highlighted.Concretely,these emerging problems possibly originate from channel modeling,new material exploration,experimental IRS testbeds and intensive deployment.Ultimately,the combination of THz communications and IRS is capable of accelerating the development of 6G wireless networks.

A 3-D Hybrid Dynamic Channel Model for Indoor THz Communications

To meet the demands for the explosive growth of mobile data rates and scarcity of spectrum resources in the near future,the terahertz(THz)band has widely been regarded as a key enabler for the upcoming beyond fifth-generation(B5G)wireless communications.An accurate THz channel model is crucial for the design and deployment of the THz wireless communication systems.In this paper,a three-dimensional(3-D)dynamic indoor THz channel model is proposed by means of combining deterministic and stochastic modeling approaches.Clusters are randomly distributed in the indoor environment and each ray is characterized with consideration of molecular absorption and diffuse scattering.Moreover,we present the dynamic generation procedure of the channel impulse responses(CIRs).Statistical properties are investigated to indicate the non-stationarity and feasibility of the proposed model.Finally,by comparing with delay spread and K-factor results from the measurements,the utility of the proposed channel model is verified.

Terahertz Band: Lighting up Next-Generation Wireless Communications

With the explosion of wireless data rates,the terahertz(THz)band(0.1–10 THz)is envisioned as a promising candidate to break the existing bandwidth bottleneck and satisfy the ever-increasing capacity demand.The THz wireless communications feature a number of attractive properties,such as potential terabit-per-second capacity and high energy efficiency.In this paper,an overview on the state-of-the-art THz communications is studied,with a special focus on key technologies of THz transceivers and THz communication systems.The recent progress on both electronic and photonic THz transmitters are presented,and then the THz receivers operating in direct-and heterodyne reception modes are individually surveyed.Based on the THz transceiver schemes,three kinds of THz wireless communication systems are reviewed,including solid-state electronic systems,photonics-assisted systems and all-photonics systems.The prospective key enabling technologies,corresponding challenges and research directions for lighting up high-speed THz communication systems are discussed as well.

THz Channel Modeling: Consolidating the Road to THz Communications

For the sake of meeting the demand of data rates at terabit(Tbit)per second scale in future networks,the terahertz(THz)band is widely accepted as one of the potential key enabling technologies for next generation wireless communication systems.With the progressive development of THz devices,regrading THz communications at system level is increasing crucial and captured the interest of plenty of researchers.Within this scope,THz channel modeling serves as an indispensable and fundamental element.By surveying the latest literature findings,this paper reviews the problem of channel modeling in the THz band,with an emphasis on molecular absorption loss,misalignment fading and multipath fading,which are major influence factors in the THz channel modeling.Then,we focus on simulators and experiments in the THz band,after which we give a brief introduction on applications of THz channel models with respects to capacity,security,and sensing as examples.Finally,we discuss some key issues in the future THz channel modeling.

Hybrid Precoding for Cluster-Based Multi-Carrier Beam Division Multiple Access in Terahertz Wireless Communications

Terahertz(THz)wireless communication has the capability to connect massive devices using its ultra-large spectrum resource.We propose a hybrid precoding scheme for the cluster-based multi-carrier beam division multiple access(MC-BDMA)to enable THz massive connections.Both the inter-beam interference and inter-band power leakage in this system are considered.A mathematical model is established to analyze and reduce their effects on the THz signal transmission.By considering the peculiarities of THz channels and characteristics of THz hardware components,we further propose a three-step hybrid precoding algorithm with low complexity,where the received signal power enhancement,the inter-beam interference elimination,and the inter-band power leakage suppression are conducted in succession.Simulation results are presented to demonstrate the high spectrum efficiency and high energy efficiency of our proposed algorithm,especially in the massive-connection scenarios.

MIMO-Terahertz in 6G Nano-Communications:Channel Modeling and Analysis

With the development of wireless mobile communication technology,the demand for wireless communication rate and frequency increases year by year.Existing wireless mobile communication frequency tends to be saturated,which demands for new solutions.Terahertz(THz)communication has great potential for the future mobile communications(Beyond 5G),and is also an important technique for the high data rate transmission in spatial information network.THz communication has great application prospects in military-civilian integration and coordinated development.In China,important breakthroughs have been achieved for the key techniques of THz high data rate communications,which is practically keeping up with the most advanced technological level in the world.Therefore,further intensifying efforts on the development of THz communication have the strategic importance for China in leading the development of future wireless communication techniques and the standardization process of Beyond 5G.This paper analyzes the performance of the MIMO channel in the Terahertz(THz)band and a discrete mathematical method is used to propose a novel channel model.Then,a channel capacity model is proposed by the combination of path loss and molecular absorption in the THz band based on the CSI at the receiver.Simulation results show that the integration of MIMO in the THz band gives better data rate and channel capacity as compared with a single channel.

Autoencoder with Fitting Network for Terahertz Wireless Communications:A Deep Learning Approach

Terahertz wireless communication has been regarded as an emerging technology to satisfy the ever-increasing demand of ultra-high-speed wireless communications.However,affected by the imperfections of cheap and energy-efficient Terahertz devices,Terahertz signals suffer from serve hybrid distortions,including in-phase/quadrature imbalance,phase noise and nonlinearity,which degrade the demodulation performance significantly.To improve the robustness against these hybrid distortions,an improved autoencoder is proposed,which includes coding the transmitted symbols at the transmitter and decoding the corresponding signals at the receiver.Moreover,due to the lack of information of Terahertz channel during the training of the autoencoder,a fitting network is proposed to approximate the characteristics of Terahertz channel,which provides an approximation of the gradients of loss.Simulation results show that our proposed autoencoder with fitting network can recover the transmitted symbols under serious hybrid distortions,and improves the demodulation performance significantly.

High-Power and High-Efficiency Operation of Terahertz Quantum Cascade Lasers at 3.3 THz

A high-power and high-effciency GaAs/A1GaAs-based terahertz （THz） quantum cascade laser structure emitting at 3.3 THz is presented. The structure is based on a hybrid bound-to-continuum transition and resonant-phonon extraction active region combined with a semi-insulating surface-plasmon waveguide. By optimizing material structure and device processing, the peak optical output power of 758mW with a threshold current density of 120 A/cm2 and a wall-plug effciency of 0.92% at 10K and 404mW at 77K are obtained in pulsed operation. The maximum operating temperature is as high as llS K. In the cw mode, a record optical output power of 160roW with a threshold current density of 178A/cm2 and a wall-plug efficiency of 1.32% is achieved at 1OK.

Vegetation scattering attenuation characteristics of terahertz wave

A terahertz(THz)wave transmitted through vegetation experiences both absorption and scattering caused by the air molecules and leaves.This paper presents the scattering attenuation characteristics of vegetation in a THz range.The theoretical path loss model near the vegetation yields the average attenuation of THz waves in a mixed channel composed of air and vegetation leaves.Furthermore,a simplified model of the vegetation structure is obtained for generic vegetation types based on a variety of parameters,such as leaf size,distribution,and moisture content.Finally,based on specific vegetation species and different levels of air humidity,the attenuation characteristics under different conditions are calculated,and the influence of different model parameters on the attenuation characteristics is obtained.

0.2THz平衡式二倍频器两路功率合成技术

针对GaAs肖特基二极管基倍频器输出功率低的问题,采用Y型结结构的波导功分器/功合器在倍频器子模块外部进行信号的合成,实现了输出功率的提升。设计实现了插入损耗低、幅度/相位一致性良好的Y型结结构的波导功分器/功合器。基于GaAs肖特基二极管单片工艺,研制了二倍频器子模块,以提高子模块的一致性并降低芯片结温。对波导功分器/功合器及二倍频子模块进行了装配和测试,测试结果表明,该外合成式二倍频器的工作频率为209~216 GHz,当输入功率大于600 mW时,在214 GHz频率下,峰值输出功率可达117 mW,转换效率达到18.5%,合成效率达86.5%。

基于皮肤-脂肪模型的太赫兹体内多输入多输出信道特性分析与建模

为探究太赫兹(THz)频段体内多输入多输出(MIMO)通信系统的传输特性,该文在0.8~1.2 THz下构建了精确的皮肤-脂肪模型,对皮肤-脂肪模型中垂直方向和水平方向的链路进行全波电磁仿真,分析太赫兹体内信道特性,建立路径损耗模型。首先,结合太赫兹频段人体组织的介电特性和人体皮肤的解剖学结构构建皮肤-脂肪模型。其次,对比分析了3条链路的路径损耗和阴影衰落,提出带有等效吸收因子的太赫兹体内路径损耗模型。最后,对3条链路的莱斯K因子、均方根时延扩展、MIMO容量进行分析。仿真分析表明,带有等效吸收因子的太赫兹体内路径损耗模型可以更准确地描述加长距离垂直链路2的路径损耗,发射端在体表可以增强MIMO容量。该文的工作可以为太赫兹体内通信系统的设计和优化提供参考。

THz技术在农产品/食品品质检测中的应用

农产品/食品的质量和品质问题越来越受人们关注。探索实际可行的农产品/食品的无损检测与品质评估技术正在成为研究热点。太赫兹(THz)辐射是位于中红外和微波波段之间的一段电磁波,具有非常重要的科学研究和应用价值。长期以来由于缺乏可行的THz波产生方法与探测手段,该波段相关领域的研究滞缓。THz光谱传感和成像技术是THz波的两个主要应用技术。THz光谱检测技术作为一种新型检测技术能够获得传统检测无法获得的信息。近十几年来,THz波用于来研究固、液、气相等各种物质的光电特性、分子内部振动和组成信息,在生物分析、医疗诊断、安全检测、环境控制等领域,THz技术显示出广阔的应用前景。文章介绍了THz波的主要性质、THz波检测技术的特点,论述了THz技术在农产品、食品质量与品质检测中的最新进展及其应用的潜力。

基于模糊模式识别的爆炸物THz光谱识别

运用太赫兹(THz)光谱特性对爆炸物进行检测和识别,是现代检测技术研究的一个热点。在对多种单质炸药和混合炸药及几种可能与它们混淆的物质的太赫兹特征吸收光谱进行研究的基础上,提取它们在0.2～2.2THz频率范围内4个相对较强的特征吸收峰作为分类识别的特征参数,用模糊模式识别方法对它们的太赫兹特征吸收谱进行了分类和识别。首先,用基于模糊等价关系的模糊聚类分析方法对这几种物质的太赫兹特征吸收谱进行聚类训练,获得样品分类并形成标准太赫兹吸收光谱模型库;然后,选用与训练样本主体成分相同的2种物品作为待识别对象,采用基于择近原则的模糊模式识别方法进行了成功识别。研究结果表明,基于模糊聚类分析的模糊模式识别方法对太赫兹吸收谱具有较强的相似特征聚类功能和较高的识别率,为太赫兹光谱技术用于爆炸物的检测和识别提供了一种有效的方法。

THz信号处理与分析的研究现状和发展展望

本文对THz信号的特点、THz信号的产生技术、THz信号的探测技术、THz时域光谱(THz-TDS)技术、THz信号的处理技术,以及THz信号应用技术等当前的研究现状进行了综述,并对未来可能的发展做了展望.

基于超表面的宽带太赫兹热释电探测器设计

为了解决传统太赫兹(THz)探测器吸收效率低,频率范围小的问题,提出将双层超表面吸收阵列结构与钽酸锂热释电探测器相贴合,构成宽带太赫兹超表面热释电探测器。采用MATLAB和CST联合仿真的优化方法对超表面结构进行按需优化;使用ANSYS对热释电探测器进行仿真分析,得到敏感层、绝热层等特征参数对太赫兹热释电探测器的温度变化率以及响应电流的影响。结果表明,采用超表面阵列结构提高了全THz波段的探测性能,凳型热释电探测器在给定条件下的平均热释电电流输出为31.52 pA。使用超表面作为吸收结构可以使热释电探测器具有连续且高效的吸波特性,为宽带太赫兹探测器的设计提供参考。

周期极化铌酸锂THz波产生理论分析

首先采用光参量振荡的机理研究了THz波在准相位匹配媒质周期极化铌酸锂晶体中同向传播与反向传播情况下 ,以及THz波从晶体表面辐射产生的特性 ;其次研究了THz波的温度调谐特性、极化反转光栅周期调谐以及改变入射泵浦光与光栅波矢夹角的调谐特性 ;然后分析了THz波谱宽特性 ,给出解析表达式 ,并与实验结果进行了比较 ,证明理论分析结果与Y .S .Lee等人所给出的实验结果符合很好 ;最后分析了THz波的稳定性与温度、光栅周期。

MEMS THz滤波器的制作工艺

基于MEMS技术制作了太赫兹（THz）滤波器样品,研究了制作滤波器的工艺流程方案,其关键工艺技术包括硅深槽刻蚀技术、深槽结构的表面金属化技术、阳极键合和金-硅共晶键合技术。采用4μm的热氧化硅层作刻蚀掩膜,成功完成了800μm的深槽硅干法刻蚀;采用基片倾斜放置、多次离子束溅射和电镀加厚的方法完成了深槽结构的表面金属化,内部金属层厚度为3~5μm;用硅-玻璃阳极键合技术和金-硅共晶键合技术实现了三层结构、四面封闭的波导滤波器样品加工。测试结果表明,研制的滤波器样品中心频率138GHz,带宽15GHz,插损小于3dB。

THz固定无线链路在大气中的特性

基于宽带太赫兹（THz）波的短距离宽带高数据率无线通讯是可行的.利用THz波大气传输衰减模型和经验的水汽连续体吸收,结合HITRAN数据库,发展了在THz频段电磁通信的一个新的传输模型,形成了对宽频THz波在地表真实大气中水平传输衰减、路径损耗和信道容量的数值模拟能力;提出了100-900GHz频段的五个可行的通信信道.相比低于100GHz的无线通信频带,虽然这五个信道具有的更大的自由传输衰减损耗,以及大气分子和水滴吸收衰减降低了通信数据率,但通过增加发射和接收天线增益,仍然可以在短距离实现THz低频带尤其是100-500GHz的高数据率无线通讯.

0.14THz 10Gbps无线通信系统

太赫兹通信由于其固有的宽带特性,在Gbps以上的高速无线通信领域受到广泛关注。本文描述了一种工作在0.14 THz频段的无线通信系统,传输速率达10 Gbps。该系统基于超外差结构,中频采用数字信号处理技术进行16QAM高阶数字信号调制解调,依靠肖特基二极管次谐波混频技术实现从中频到太赫兹信号的频谱搬移。目前该系统已经通过了500 m 10 Gbps距离无线传输实验验证,通信频段为133.8 GHz～137.4 GHz,带宽3.6 GHz,发射功率0 dBm,传输误码率低于10-6。