Terahertz (THz)-band communications are a key enabler for future-generation wireless communication systems that promise to integrate a wide range of data-demanding applications. Recent advancements in photonic, electronic, and plasmonic technologies are closing the gap in THz transceiver design. Consequently, prospect THz signal generation, modulation, and radiation methods are converging, and the corresponding channel model, noise, and hardware-impairment notions are emerging. Such progress paves the way for well-grounded research into THz-specific signal processing techniques for wireless communications. This tutorial overviews these techniques with an emphasis on ultra-massive multiple-input multiple-output (UM-MIMO) systems and reconfigurable intelligent surfaces, which are vital to overcoming the distance problem at very high frequencies. We focus on the classical problems of waveform design and modulation, beamforming and precoding, index modulation, channel estimation, channel coding, and data detection. We also motivate signal processing techniques for THz sensing and localization.

An Overview of Signal Processing Techniques for Terahertz Communications

Terahertz (THz)-band communications are a key enabler for future-generation wireless communication systems that promise to integrate a wide range of data-demanding applications. Recent advances in photonic, electronic, and plasmonic technologies are closing the gap in THz transceiver design. Consequently, prospect THz signal generation, modulation, and radiation methods are converging, and corresponding channel model, noise, and hardware-impairment notions are emerging. Such progress establishes a foundation for well-grounded research into THz-specific signal processing techniques for wireless communications. This tutorial overviews these techniques, emphasizing ultramassive multiple-input–multiple-output (UM-MIMO) systems and reconfigurable intelligent surfaces, vital for overcoming the distance problem at very high frequencies. We focus on the classical problems of waveform design and modulation, beamforming and precoding, index modulation, channel estimation, channel coding, and data detection. We also motivate signal processing techniques for THz sensing and localization.

Terahertz (THz) band communications are envisioned as a key technology for 6G and Beyond. As a fundamental wireless infrastructure, THz communication can boost abundant promising applications. In 2014, our team published two comprehensive roadmaps for the development and progress of THz communication networks, which helped the research community to start research on this subject afterwards. The topic of THz communications became very important and appealing to the research community due to 6G wireless systems design and development in recent years. Many papers are getting published covering different aspects of wireless systems using the THz band. With this paper, our aim is looking back to the last decade and revisiting the old problems and pointing out what has been achieved in the research community so far. Furthermore, in this paper, open challenges and new research directions still to be investigated for the THz band communication systems are presented, by covering diverse topics ranging from devices, channel behavior, communication and networking, to physical testbeds and demonstration systems. The key aspects presented in this paper will enable THz communications as a pillar of 6G and Beyond wireless systems in the next decade. 

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Terahertz Band Communication: An Old Problem Revisited and Research Directions for the Next Decade

Terahertz (0.1-10 THz) communications are envisioned as a key technology for sixth generation (6G) wireless systems. The study of underlying THz wireless propagation channels provides the foundations for the development of reliable THz communication systems and their applications. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the study of THz wireless channels. First, the three most popular THz channel measurement methodologies, namely, frequency-domain channel measurement based on a vector network analyzer (VNA), timedomain channel measurement based on sliding correlation, and time-domain channel measurement based on THz pulses from time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS), are introduced and compared. Current channel measurement systems and measurement campaigns are reviewed. Then, existing channel modeling methodologies are categorized into deterministic, stochastic, and hybrid approaches. State-of-the-art THz channel models are analyzed, and the channel simulators that are based on them are introduced. Next, an in-depth review of channel characteristics in the THz band is presented. Finally, open problems and future research directions for research studies on THz wireless channels for 6G are elaborated. 

Terahertz Wireless Channels: A Holistic Survey on Measurement, Modeling, and Analysis

Terahertz (THz) communications are envisioned as a key technology for sixth generation (6G) wireless systems. The study of underlying THz wireless propagation channels provides the foundations for the development of reliable THz communication systems and their applications. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the study of THz wireless channels. First, the three most popular THz channel measurement methodologies, namely, frequency-domain channel measurement based on a vector network analyzer (VNA), time-domain channel measurement based on sliding correlation, and time-domain channel measurement based on THz pulses from time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS), are introduced and compared. Current channel measurement systems and measurement campaigns are reviewed. Then, existing channel modeling methodologies are categorized into deterministic, stochastic, and hybrid approaches. State-of-the-art THz channel models are analyzed, and the channel simulators that are based on them are introduced. Next, an in-depth review of channel characteristics in the THz band is presented. Finally, open problems and future research directions for research studies on THz wireless channels for 6G are elaborated.

Terahertz Wireless Channels: A Holistic Survey on Measurement, Modeling, and Analysis.

TeraHertz (THz) communications are envisioned as a promising technology, owing to its unprecedented multi-GHz bandwidth. One fundamental challenge when moving to new spectrum is to understand the science of radio propagation and develop an accurate channel model. In this paper, a wideband channel measurement campaign between 130 GHz and 143 GHz is investigated in a typical meeting room. Directional antennas are utilized and rotated for resolving the multi-path components (MPCs) in the angular domain. With careful system calibration that eliminates system errors and antenna effects, a realistic power delay profile is developed. Furthermore, a combined MPC clustering and matching procedure with ray-tracing techniques is proposed to investigate the cluster behavior and wave propagation of THz signals. In light of the measurement results, physical parameters and insights in the THz indoor channel are comprehensively analyzed, including the line-of-sight path loss, power distributions, temporal and spatial features, and correlations among THz multi-path characteristics. Finally, a hybrid channel model that combines ray-tracing and statistical methods is developed for THz indoor communications. Numerical results demonstrate that the proposed hybrid channel model shows good agreement with the measurement and outperforms the conventional statistical and geometric-based stochastic channel model in terms of the temporal-spatial characteristics.

Yuanbo Li

Papers

Channel Measurement and Ray-Tracing-Statistical Hybrid Modeling for Low-Terahertz Indoor Communications

Terahertz Wireless Channels: A Holistic Survey on Measurement, Modeling, and Analysis.

Channel Measurement and Ray-Tracing-Statistical Hybrid Modeling for Low-Terahertz Indoor Communications