Multiwideband terahertz communications via tunable graphene-based metasurfaces in 6G networks: Graphene enables ultimate multiwideband THz wavefront control

The next generation of wireless networks is expected to tap into the terahertz (THz) band (0.1–10 THz) to satisfy the extreme latency and bandwidth density requirements of future applications. However, the development of systems in this band is challenging as THz waves confront severe spreading and...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Taghvaee, Hamidreza|||0000-0001-8732-6086, Pitilakis, Alexandros, Tsilipakos, Odysseas, Tasolamprou, Anna, Kantartzis, Nikolaos V., Kafesaki, Maria, Cabellos Aparicio, Alberto|||0000-0001-9329-7584, Alarcón Cot, Eduardo José|||0000-0001-7663-7153, Abadal Cavallé, Sergi|||0000-0003-0941-0260
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2022
País:España
Institución:Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)
Repositorio:UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:upcommons.upc.edu:2117/368532
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2117/368532
https://dx.doi.org/10.1109/MVT.2022.3155905
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Graphene
Wireless communications systems
Terahertz technology
Resonant frequency
Wireless networks
Terahertz communications
6G mobile communication
Voltage control
Reflection
Wideband
Grafè
Comunicació sense fil, Sistemes de
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Enginyeria de la telecomunicació::Telemàtica i xarxes d'ordinadors
Descripción
Sumario:The next generation of wireless networks is expected to tap into the terahertz (THz) band (0.1–10 THz) to satisfy the extreme latency and bandwidth density requirements of future applications. However, the development of systems in this band is challenging as THz waves confront severe spreading and penetration losses, as well as molecular absorption, which leads to strong line-of-sight requirements through highly directive antennas. Recently, reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs) have been proposed to address issues derived from non-line-of-sight (non-LoS) propagation, among other impairments, by redirecting the incident wave toward the receiver and implementing virtual-line-of-sight communications. However, the benefits provided by a RIS may be lost if the network operates at multiple bands. In this article, the suitability of the RIS paradigm in indoor THz scenarios for 6G is assessed grounded on the analysis of a tunable graphene-based RIS that can operate in multiple wideband transparency windows. A possible implementation of such a RIS is provided and numerically evaluated at 0.65/0.85/1.05 THz separately, demonstrating that beam steering and other relevant functionalities are realizable with excellent performance. Finally, the challenges associated with the design and fabrication of multiwideband graphene-based RISs are discussed, paving the way to the concurrent control of multiple THz bands in the context of 6G networks.