Surface-scattering-assisted Beam Scan for Terahertz Channel Alignment

Wireless communication technology operating at terahertz frequencies has been proposed as a potential candidate to support high spectral efficiency and high-speed data transmission. The use of high-gain, highly directional antennas help to extend its link distance effectively by overcoming free space path losses. But this also leads to difficulties in channel alignment due to its extremely narrow beam-width and small divergence angle. Employing non-line-of-sight (NLoS) path components, generated by surface scattering effect, can be a potential solution for wide channel coverage and efficient beam management. In this work we propose a method for channel alignment by using multi-path scattering components from a metallic wavy surface for channel scan and alignment. We find that the period of the surface and the incident angle are responsible for the efficiency and precision in channel scanning.