ARCADIA will provide a reliable simulation tool to investigate thoroughly the expected performance of THz wireless communication systems, involving all the different stages of the communication, empowering the understanding of the capabilities and limitations of graphene technology with respect to the communication networks. The simulator will include channel models and the modeling of the HW impairments with a focus on graphene-based HW components. Therefore, specific objectives are:
• Graphene-based robust components design and modelling of HW impairments;
• Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS) for THz communications
• Channel model development (focusing on non-time stationarity);
• Waveform and PHY design;
• Simulator of the physical layer of a THz link including baseband processing, channel models, HW impairments of graphene-based active and passive devices.
ARCADIA is part of Spoke 2 – Integration of Networks and Services
- Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS) for THz communications – Graphene based RiS enhance the functionality and performance of propagation channels, enabling advanced signal manipulation and control. In this context, a possible configuration of a graphene-based unit cell has been proposed, which will be the starting point for the design of a digital RIS. The definition of the model suitable for graphene conductivity in the THz spectrum has been performed and validated with the literature.
- Channel models and standardization – Preliminary definition of the channel sounding setup; Initial contacts with the Channel Modeling and Standardization Group (CMSG) has been started. The CMSG started in 2021 as an ad hoc group in the standardization board of IEEE communication society and it is chaired by Andi Molisch and Naveed Abbasi. The CMSG aims to establish recommendations for channel parameters, models, and standards to address gaps in existing standardization. Moreover, while waiting for the results of the channel sounding, the project has started to explore the second-order fading characteristics in terahertz (THz) wireless channels.
- Waveform design - Performance of Orthogonal Time Frequency Space (OTFS) waveform in presence of Phase Noise (PN) have been carried out, using simplified channel models.
A graphene-based unit cell suitable for the development of a reflective metasurface has been proposed and numerically analyzed. The design of the same was achieved by exploiting two different approaches: one digital and one analog. Through these approaches, several possible solutions were identified, which enable the realization of electromagnetic functions based on phase control of the reflected wave. These results have been presented at the European Wireless 2023 conference in Rome, Oct. 2-4. Future developments could involve the combination of the two approaches to achieve greater expressiveness in terms of the electromagnetic functions that the metasurface can exert. This device can pave the way for the realization of a new class of smart components for beyond 5G and 6G applications, as well as for 3D networks.
Industrial/Exploitable
Numerical results are encouraging. Industrial interest and exploitation of research results could arise as a consequence of experimental demonstration of the designed devices. Although not planned in the project, during the development phase, an analysis can be done on the maturity of the technologies that could lead to an assessment of technology readiness level (TRL). If it proves to be high enough, this prototype can be of wide interest for industry.
- Publications
• journal papers (dissemination) - planned by the end of project: 4; accomplished to date:0; readness level:0;
• conference papers (dissemination) - planned by the end of project: 6; accomplished to date:2; readness level:0.3; - Joint Publications
Both publications are joint publications
Talks/Dissemination events - Workshops (dissemination)
• planned by the end of project :2; accomplished to date:0; readness level:0
• special session in conference (dissemination) - planned by the end of project: 2; accomplished to date:0; readness level:0;
• special session in journals (dissemination) - planned by the end of project: 1; accomplished to date:0; readness level:0;
• seminar/tutorial/keynotes (dissemination) planned by the end of project: 3; accomplished to date:0; readness level:0;
• industry panel (dissemination) - planned by the end of project: 2; accomplished to date:0; readness level:0;
• equipment (implementation): all the equipment to perform the channel sounding campaign must be acquired. We are waiting for the outcome of the cascade calls to finalize this task; readness level:0. - Demo/PoC - Not originally planned. We are working on a joint activity with ITA-NTN project
- Project Meetings - accomplished
- M1 Final definition of project vision and WP activities, expected: 4 ; accomplished: 4; readiness level: 100%
- M2 Preliminary definition of use cases, requirements and ITA NTN architecture, expected 4; accomplished: 4; readiness level: 100%
- M3 - Preliminary technical discussion on design of graphene-based components, antenna and metasurfaces- expected: 12; accomplished: 12; readiness level: 100%
- M4 Preliminary technical discussion on the measurements campaign expected 12, accomplished: 2; readiness level: 16%
- M5 Definition of the simulator architecture, expected: 3; accomplished: 3; readiness level: 100%
- M6 Results on the Measurement Compaign and Channel Models, expected: 0; accomplished: 0; readiness level: 0%
- M7 Final definition of technical solutions and methodologies - expected: 0; accomplished: 0; readiness level: 0%
- M8 Simulator delivery, expected: 0; accomplished: 0; readiness level: 0%
Project PI: Ernestina Cianca
Collaboration proposals
ARCADIA looks for collaborations in the activity related to the development of graphene-based antennas and metasurfaces in the range between 100-300 GHz or beyond, focused on the numerical design and assessment of their feasibility. Whether an experimental prototype is required, it will be necessary to establish a collaboration with other research groups for the fabrication of graphene-based devices. Moreover, it will be also necessary to establish a collaboration with research groups able to characterize these devices in the frequency range of interest.
For any proposal of collaboration within the project please contact the project PI.