A Survey on Advancements in THz Technology for 6G: Systems, Circuits, Antennas, and Experiments

Terahertz (THz) carrier frequencies (100 GHz to 10 THz) have been touted as a source for unprecedented wireless connectivity and high-precision sensing, courtesy of their wide bandwidth availability and small wavelengths. However, noteworthy implementation challenges persist, ranging from limitation...

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Main Authors: Sidharth Thomas, Jaskirat Singh Virdi, Aydin Babakhani, Ian P. Roberts
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: IEEE 2025-01-01
Series:IEEE Open Journal of the Communications Society
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Online Access:https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10918779/
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author Sidharth Thomas
Jaskirat Singh Virdi
Aydin Babakhani
Ian P. Roberts
author_facet Sidharth Thomas
Jaskirat Singh Virdi
Aydin Babakhani
Ian P. Roberts
author_sort Sidharth Thomas
collection DOAJ
description Terahertz (THz) carrier frequencies (100 GHz to 10 THz) have been touted as a source for unprecedented wireless connectivity and high-precision sensing, courtesy of their wide bandwidth availability and small wavelengths. However, noteworthy implementation challenges persist, ranging from limitations in semiconductor device technologies to antenna design and packaging, as well as system-level issues such as high path loss, complex beam management, and regulatory constraints. In this paper, we survey recent advancements on 6G networks using THz frequencies, with a particular emphasis on the 200–400 GHz frequency range and the IEEE 802.15.3d standard. This band offers a compelling balance by providing ample bandwidth for high data-rate communications, while also exhibiting lower atmospheric absorption for longer-range transmission, and can be viably realized using current semiconductor technologies. Unlike other existing surveys in this domain, we provide a comprehensive and holistic overview of THz systems, circuits, device technology, and antennas while also highlighting recent experimental demonstrations of 6G networks using THz frequencies. Throughout this paper, we review the state-of-the-art in 6G network implementation using THz, and call attention to open problems, future prospects, and areas of further improvement in THz communication technologies to fully realize their potential in next-generation wireless connectivity.
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spelling doaj-art-06d3cea2a40a4f4986b8bf6f18e2e3042025-08-20T03:18:09ZengIEEEIEEE Open Journal of the Communications Society2644-125X2025-01-0161998201610.1109/OJCOMS.2025.354971010918779A Survey on Advancements in THz Technology for 6G: Systems, Circuits, Antennas, and ExperimentsSidharth Thomas0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8991-1841Jaskirat Singh Virdi1https://orcid.org/0009-0002-4770-3945Aydin Babakhani2https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8123-9061Ian P. Roberts3Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USADepartment of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USADepartment of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USADepartment of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USATerahertz (THz) carrier frequencies (100 GHz to 10 THz) have been touted as a source for unprecedented wireless connectivity and high-precision sensing, courtesy of their wide bandwidth availability and small wavelengths. However, noteworthy implementation challenges persist, ranging from limitations in semiconductor device technologies to antenna design and packaging, as well as system-level issues such as high path loss, complex beam management, and regulatory constraints. In this paper, we survey recent advancements on 6G networks using THz frequencies, with a particular emphasis on the 200–400 GHz frequency range and the IEEE 802.15.3d standard. This band offers a compelling balance by providing ample bandwidth for high data-rate communications, while also exhibiting lower atmospheric absorption for longer-range transmission, and can be viably realized using current semiconductor technologies. Unlike other existing surveys in this domain, we provide a comprehensive and holistic overview of THz systems, circuits, device technology, and antennas while also highlighting recent experimental demonstrations of 6G networks using THz frequencies. Throughout this paper, we review the state-of-the-art in 6G network implementation using THz, and call attention to open problems, future prospects, and areas of further improvement in THz communication technologies to fully realize their potential in next-generation wireless connectivity.https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10918779/Terahertz (THz)6GIEEE 802.15.3dTHz applicationsdevice technologycircuits
spellingShingle Sidharth Thomas
Jaskirat Singh Virdi
Aydin Babakhani
Ian P. Roberts
A Survey on Advancements in THz Technology for 6G: Systems, Circuits, Antennas, and Experiments
IEEE Open Journal of the Communications Society
Terahertz (THz)
6G
IEEE 802.15.3d
THz applications
device technology
circuits
title A Survey on Advancements in THz Technology for 6G: Systems, Circuits, Antennas, and Experiments
title_full A Survey on Advancements in THz Technology for 6G: Systems, Circuits, Antennas, and Experiments
title_fullStr A Survey on Advancements in THz Technology for 6G: Systems, Circuits, Antennas, and Experiments
title_full_unstemmed A Survey on Advancements in THz Technology for 6G: Systems, Circuits, Antennas, and Experiments
title_short A Survey on Advancements in THz Technology for 6G: Systems, Circuits, Antennas, and Experiments
title_sort survey on advancements in thz technology for 6g systems circuits antennas and experiments
topic Terahertz (THz)
6G
IEEE 802.15.3d
THz applications
device technology
circuits
url https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10918779/
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