Non-Coherent Symbol Detection with TOA Estimation for Nanocommunication Networks

With the latest developments in nanotechnology, nano-electronics, and nano-photonics, Wireless Nanosensor Networks (WNSNs) would soon become a reality. This paper presents a synchronization and symbol detection scheme for the pulse-based communications in the Terahertz (THz) Band (0.1 THz - 10 THz). The receiver architecture is based on the non-coherent Continuous-time Moving Average (CTMA) energy collection approach. In order to maintain the low complexity of the nanoreceiver, the synchronization stage is also based on CTMA mechanism. Moreover, a multiuser nanocommunication scenario is considered using the Time-Hopping Pulse-Position Modulation (TH-PPM) as a Multiple Access (MA) scheme. The receiver performance for both the synchronization and MA is investigated in terms of synchronization probability and Symbol Error Rate (SER) respectively. Simulation results show the suitability of the proposed scheme for the low cost and low complexity nanocommunication.