CAREER: Realizing Ultra-Broadband Terahertz Communication Networks

在过去的几年中，无线连接的移动的设备的数量以及它们通信的数据速率都有了巨大的增长。在此背景下，太赫兹（THz）频带（0.1 - 10 THz）通信被设想为下一个十年的关键无线技术。几十年来，由于缺乏能够在室温下工作的紧凑高效的THz收发器，阻碍了THz频段在实际应用中的使用。然而，最近的许多设备技术进步最终正在缩小所谓的THz差距。从传播的角度来看，主要有两组挑战需要克服：（i）由于载波频率较高，（ii）由于带宽大得多（至少数百GHz），太赫兹信号在现实场景中的传播极具挑战性，（至少几十GHz），在存在相位噪声和其他硬件限制的情况下与超宽带信号同步和通信，都是未解决的问题这些都给整个协议栈带来了进一步的挑战，为了实现未来的网络，需要克服这些挑战。该项目的目标是展示太赫兹通信网络的真相，揭穿有关太赫兹通信网络的神话。有针对性的突破是通过自下而上的方法，并通过数学建模，数值模拟和实验评估的闭环组合，证明THz频率超宽带通信网络的可行性。对于后者，该项目将利用超宽带网络系统测试台，这是布法罗大学（UB）新建立的第一个通信和网络测试台，能够支持60 GHz，240 GHz和1 THz的超宽带链接（高达32 GHz带宽）。研究工作分为四个相互交织的方向：（1）室内和室外定向太赫兹通信随机多径信道模型的开发;（2）设计、实现和测试能够最大限度地利用太赫兹频率可用带宽的物理层技术，包括相位噪声估计和同步算法、超宽带调制和超大规模MIMO通信方案; ㈢为超宽带网络开发链路层解决方案，包括加快邻居发现算法和多跳中继战略;和（四）一个综合的研究和教育计划，旨在创造一个令人兴奋的环境，在UB太赫兹通信的发展。这个奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并已被认为是值得通过评估使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的支持。影响审查标准。

Over the last few years, there has been a tremendous growth in the number of wirelessly connected mobile devices as well as in the data rate at which they communicate. In this context, Terahertz (THz) band (0.1 - 10 THz) communication is envisioned as a key wireless technology for the next decade. For many decades, the lack of compact and efficient THz transceivers able to work at room temperature has hampered the use of the THz band for practical applications. However, many recent device technology advancements are finally closing the so-called THz gap. From the communication perspective, there are mainly two sets of challenges to overcome: (i) due to the higher carrier frequency (at least hundreds of GHz), the propagation of THz signals in realistic scenarios is extremely challenging and (ii) due to the much larger bandwidth (at least tens of GHz), synchronization and communication with ultra-broadband signals in the presence of phase noise and other hardware limitations, are unsolved problems. Together, these introduce further challenges across the protocol stack, which need to be overcome in order to enable the networks of tomorrow.The objective of the project is to demonstrate the truths and debunk the myths about THz communication networks. The targeted breakthrough is to prove the feasibility of ultra-broadband communication networks at THz frequencies, by following a bottom-up approach and through a closed-loop combination of mathematical modeling, numerical simulation and experimental evaluation. For the latter, the project will leverage the Ultra-Broadband Networking Systems Test-bed, a newly established first-of-its-kind communication and networking test-bed at the University at Buffalo (UB), able to support ultra-broadband links (up to 32 GHz bandwidth) at 60 GHz, 240 GHz and 1 THz. The proposed work has been divided into four intertwined thrusts: (i) development of stochastic multi-path channel models for directional THz communications in indoor and outdoor scenarios; (ii) design, implementation and testing of physical layer techniques able to maximally utilize the available bandwidth at THz frequencies, including phase noise estimation and synchronization algorithms, ultra-broadband modulations and ultra-massive MIMO communication schemes; (iii) development of link layer solutions for ultra-broadband networks, including expedited neighbor discovery algorithms and multi-hop relaying strategies; and (iv) an integrated research and education plan aimed at creating an exciting environment at UB for the development of THz communications.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.