Sub-THz (6G) Communication Signal Generation and Analysis

The upcoming sixth generation (6G) of mobile communication systems is expected to push technological boundaries by enabling ultra-high data rates and extremely low latency. It aims to support a wide range of innovative use cases, typically categorized into four domains: Network-Enabled Robotics and Autonomous Systems, Multisensory Extended Reality, Integrated Sensing and Communications, and Personalized User Experiences. Among the various promising enablers, sub-THz communications have emerged as a technology candidate for the 6G and beyond era, offering the potential for terabit-per-second data rates to meet the extreme performance demands of these applications. To realize this vision, operation in sub-THz frequency bands is part of ongoing research projects.

This application note presents a practical approach to generate sub-THz communication signals for 6G based on using DFT-s-OFDM (Discrete Fourier Transform Spread OFDM) modulation. The implementation is realized on a flexible, GUI-controlled testbed built with Rohde & Schwarz instruments, including the SFI100A vector signal generator, FSW signal and spectrum analyzer and external RF frontends.

A custom-built graphical user interface (GUI) coordinates all equipment and enables rapid prototyping of communication signal configurations, control of signal generation and measurement automation.

This application note serves as a guide for researchers and engineers looking to evaluate or generate future communication signals in the sub-THz domain using commercial measurement equipment.