Experimental throughput analysis of low-THz MIMO communication channel in 5G wireless networks

Abstract

This letter presents first results of a Terahertz (THz) band line-of-sight 2 x 2 multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) channel. The system architecture is based on a subharmonic mixer that translates the measuring frequency of vector network analyzer in the range of 298-313 GHz. The system uses a virtual antenna array technique to characterize a MIMO channel. The antenna element spacing is derived from the principles of diffraction limited optics to establish parallel channels for higher system throughput and reliability. The MIMO channel measurements are then used in simulations to evaluate the performance of the communication system operating in THz band MIMO communication channel. Finally, we have shown the MIMO link in THz band operating at 7 Gb/s, with higher reliability, in comparison with the single channel operating at 5.55 Gb/s.