Programmable terahertz photonics : the backbone for the forthcoming ultra-fast communication networks

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We propose a comprehensive study of the enabling technologies and fundamental limitations associated with the ultra-fast wireless THz communications, which is a new frontier both for the microwave and optical communication specialists. Commercial interest in the THz communications is manifested by the establishment of several working groups within the IEEE P802.15 intended to develop related industrial standards and promote consortium activities. As THz communications is still in its infancy, understanding of its potentials, limitations and implementation strategies is currently an active research field in the rapid development around the world. The main goal of this proposal is to develop and characterize a practical wireless THz communication system that is capable of short-range transmission (up to several hundred meters) of high bit-rate data streams (of up to several 10s Gb/s). In order to be of practical importance, the system has to be inherently robust, of moderate cost, and well understood. For robustness, high power THz sources have to be used. Additionally, the transmission beam has to be self-healing and resist to the obstacles that move in an out of the beam path. Alternatively, the system has to feature active steering. For moderate costs, fabrication of the THz system components has to profit from low-cost rapid prototyping techniques such as 3D printing or CNC milling. For reliable communications, the system has to be well understood. This means that the system has to be tested in a realistic environment over a prolonged period of time (at least 1 year), with system performance results and environmental parameters correlated over the whole test period. We will achieve our goal by pursuing several short, medium and long-term objectives. Individual objectives pursue development of various novel technologies and subcomponents that will be then used for assembly of several THz communication systems. It is expected that each individual objective will make a subject of a separate high-impact research paper. At the moment, there are several competing technique that can be employed in the design of a THz communication system, while there still no consensus as for the most optimal system design. In this respect, analysis and understanding of the trade-offs associated with alternative techniques will constitute an important part of our research. Research that will be conducted within this proposal falls directly into one of the research and educational targets (pôles sectoriels) identified in the strategic plan of our institution – multimedia, informatics and telecommunications. At Polytechnique, a large number of research activities already exist in the domain of telecommunications, and these activities will be perfectly supplemented with the novel research in THz communications. We therefore, preview several extensive multidisciplinary collaborations within the CRÉER collaboration (Centre de Recherche en Électronique Radiofréquence) that will produce a number of top-notch specialists in communication technologies that will be able to easily find employment or start their own companies. Finally, the domain of ultra fast communication is in rapid development all over the world, and Canada has an impressive track record in this field. Functioning of the modern society depends critically on the ease of access to various information. Moreover, reliable high bandwidth communication made available throughout a vast Canadian land promotes high quality of life for all of its citizens.