Sub-terahertz and terahertz (THz) waves, ranging from 0.1 THz to 10 THz, fall in the spectral region between microwave and optical waves. The prospect of enabling transfer rates in the terabit/sec range make them a key research area of 6G mobile communication.

Sub-THz technologies require highly integrated frontends, including array antennas, that necessitate advanced over-the-air testing methods with a frequency range up to 300 GHz. To fully exploit the potential of this frequency range for future wireless communications, it is also crucial to understand the propagation characteristics by performing channel measurements.

This requires an interdisciplinary approach between high-frequency semiconductor technology for RF electronics as well as alternative approaches using photonic technologies. The THz region also shows great potential for other application areas, from imaging to spectroscopy and sensing.

In short, you will learn about:

• Technical challenges to generate THz radiation using electronic and photonic technologies including their applications
• Over-the-air measurement of antenna characteristics in the sub-THz region with a focus on D-band (110 GHz to 170 GHz)
• Channel measurements in the sub-THz region