Ms. Hanshita Prabhakar

The explosive growth of data-intensive applications such as extended reality (XR), holographic communications, and ultra-reliable low-latency services has highlighted the limitations of existing 5G networks, particularly regarding spectrum availability and data rate capacity. To meet the unprecedented performance demands of 6G and beyond, Terahertz (THz) communication, operating in the 0.1–10 THz frequency range, is emerging as a key enabling technology. Offering ultra-wide bandwidths and high directional transmission, THz links can deliver terabit-per-second (Tbps) data rates, making them ideal for future high-throughput, low-latency wireless systems.

Beyond high-speed data delivery, THz communication also supports simultaneous sensing, imaging, and localization, making it suitable for integrated communication-sensing frameworks in smart environments. It has immense potential for wireless backhaul/front haul, short-range ultra-fast links, and high-density device networks. However, THz deployment faces significant challenges, including severe propagation losses, molecular absorption, and the need for advanced beamforming and tracking techniques, alongside innovations in photonic and electronic hardware.

Biography:

Ms. Hanshita Prabhakar received her M.Tech degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) from the University School of Information, Communication and Technology (USICT) (GGSIPU), New Delhi, in 2021. Presently, she is a third-year Ph.D. research scholar at the Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology Delhi (IIIT-Delhi). Her research focuses on integrated Terahertz (THz) and Visible Light Communication (VLC) systems, with an emphasis on improving the communication and sensing performance for next-generation (5G/6G) wireless networks in both indoor and outdoor environments. Ms. Prabhakar’s work has been published and presented at several IEEE national and international conferences. She has been an active reviewer for prominent conferences, including IEEE ANTS and IEEE NCC. Also an active IEEE Communications Society (ComSoc) member.

Dr. Abhijit Mitra

Incessant demand for capacity has resulted in a continuous search for techniques to improve spectrum efficiencies in optical communication systems. This has prompted network operators to seek disruptive optical fiber technologies rather than logarithmic improvements through enhancements in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The primary limitation is that network operators are constrained by underground fiber duct space. Any new upgrade in optical network infrastructure requires efficient spatial utilization of these underground duct spaces. Multiband technology will enable network operators to utilize optical wavelengths beyond the C Band (O, E, S, and L Bands) of field-deployed single-mode fibers, thereby saving on deployment costs and preserving duct space. In the first part of the tutorial, we shall investigate the impact of Inter-channel Stimulated Raman Scattering (ISRS) and cross-channel interference on the signal quality of an optical connection. Considering these impairments, we will explore various networkupgrade strategies from C Band to Multiband networks while maximizing network capacity at minimal cost-per-bit. Furthermore, we will demonstrate optimal strategies for spectrum provisioning while creating minimal impact on existing connections to preserve their committed quality of service. 

Biography:

Abhijit Mitra received his Ph.D. from the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (2017) under the funding of the British Telecom Fellowship. His experience has been in modeling and network planning for metro and core optical networks. He has been a reviewer in reputed journals like the Journal of Optical Communication and Networking (JOCN), and the Journal of Lightwave Technology (JLT). He has published in major venues like Proceedings of the IEEE, JOCN, JLT, Optical Fiber Communications (OFC) Conference, and the European Conference on Optical Communications (ECOC) with due industry-academic collaborations. Further, he has led funded projects by DST, MIETY, and DRDO in the capacity of PI/Co-PI and functioning as a collaborator in a project funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), USA. He has been awarded DST Inspire Faculty Fellowship (2017-2022) by DST, British Council (Alumni Awards): Professional Achievement Awards (2019) by British Council, the prestigious Fulbright Post Doctoral Research Fellowship by the United States India Education Foundation (USIEF) and Sparkle-Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Cofund Fellowship (2022, not availed). Overall he has 10 years of research experience in Transport Optical Networks.