THz Science and Technology Seminar (TSTS) Series: Near-field Terahertz Networking

#analog #systems # #point-to-point #backhaul #operating #above #100 #GHz #blockage

 In collaboration with the Poly-Grames Research Center, IEEE Student Branch of Polytechnique and INRS, STARaCom, and Academy of Science of the Royal Society of Canada, the IEEE Montreal Section and MTT Montreal IEEE Chapter are organizing THz Science and Technology Seminar (TSTS) Series, which will be delivered exclusively online by distinguished THz researchers, engineers, and leaders in the world to present state-of-the-art THz R&D progress, education, and applications. This TSTS series is made possible thanks to the sponsorship and conclusion of the NSERC-Huawei Industrial Research Chair Program.

Near-field Terahertz Networking

Abstract: The recent dramatic growth in interest in the use of high-frequency (millimeter-wave and terahertz) carrier waves for wireless communications has spurred a great deal of research activity. In some cases, such as fixed point-to-point backhaul, systems operating above 100 GHz are already in or nearing commercial deployment. On the other hand, significant research challenges remain for the deployment of local area networks, which must manage factors such as user mobility and line-of-sight blockage of directional beams. Interestingly, such networks may often be able to operate in a regime in which most or all of the broadcast sector is located in the near field of the transmitter. This possibility opens up a host of new ideas for wave front engineering, in particular wave fronts that can only exist in the electromagnetic near field. Here, we discuss a few examples, focusing on the class of wave fronts that can be engineered to curve around an intervening obstacle, delivering data to a user located in the shadow of the obstacle. This near-field effect presents an intriguing alternative to the popular notion of intelligent reflecting surfaces for blockage mitigation.