Frequency-division multiplexer and demultiplexer for terahertz wireless links

Jianjun Ma,Guillaume Ducournau,Sara Bretin,Daniel M Mittleman,Nicholas J Karl

doi:10.1038/s41467-017-00877-x

Abstract

The development of components for terahertz wireless communications networks has become an active and growing research field. However, in most cases these components have been studied using a continuous or broadband-pulsed terahertz source, not using a modulated data stream. This limitation may mask important aspects of the performance of the device in a realistic system configuration. We report the characterization of one such device, a frequency multiplexer, using modulated data at rates up to 10 gigabits per second. We also demonstrate simultaneous error-free transmission of two signals at different carrier frequencies, with an aggregate data rate of 50 gigabits per second. We observe that the far-field spatial variation of the bit error rate is different from that of the emitted power, due to a small nonuniformity in the angular detection sensitivity. This is likely to be a common feature of any terahertz communication system in which signals propagate as diffracting beams not omnidirectional broadcasts.

Highlights

The development of components for terahertz wireless communications networks has become an active and growing research field
In the THz range, where frequency bands may not be continuous over a broad spectral range due to atmospheric attenuation[24] or regulatory restrictions[25], frequency-division multiplexing is even more of a compelling need
The solid green and white lines added to this simulation show that the angular spread of first-order modulation sidebands is expected to be smaller than the size of the diffracting carrier wave, even up to 10 gigabits per second (Gb/s)

Summary

Introduction

The development of components for terahertz wireless communications networks has become an active and growing research field. We observe that the far-field spatial variation of the bit error rate is different from that of the emitted power, due to a small nonuniformity in the angular detection sensitivity This is likely to be a common feature of any terahertz communication system in which signals propagate as diffracting beams not omnidirectional broadcasts. We have recently proposed an architecture for waveguide-tofree space mux/demux based on a leaky waveguide[21] This concept exploits the highly directional nature of THz signals, which are much more like beams than omnidirectional broadcasts. The operating principle of the leaky-wave device is straightforward It is based on a metal parallel-plate waveguide (PPWG), which has proven to be a versatile platform for manipulation of THz signals[27, 28].

Methods

Results

Conclusion