Properties of Sub-THz Propagation Channels and Their Impact on System Behavior: Channel Measurements and Transmission Experiments

Sub-THz communication systems are anticipated to play a major part in 6G. To develop those systems further, it is important to both analyze the possible coverage, and investigate the propagation channel properties that impact the design of equalizers, guard intervals, and other measures for combatting dispersion. This article describes the key effects based on extensive measurements with both a channel sounder and a real-time testbed. Transmission over more than 120m with data rates in excess of 2.3 Gb/s is demonstrated with the testbed. Then the requirements for equalization are discussed, and explanations provided for the seeming difference of recent results by different groups; it is shown that equalization requirements strongly depend on the modulation and coding scheme used in the system.