An estimation of tropospheric agents influence on 5G terrestrial radio services in the THz band

Abstract

Recent technological advances made possible the development of devices and integrated circuits operating at frequencies greater than 100 GHz and telco operators, in order to face with the growing demand for bandwidth from users, are increasingly turning their interest to the feasibility of use wireless links also at sub-millimeter frequencies (300 GHz–l THz). This spectral region, also named TeraHertz band, offers greater availability of contiguous bands and is under investigation by international standardization bodies such as ITU and CEPT. The present study intends to provide useful insights to define technical and operational characteristics for 5G applications aimed at land-based fixed services operating in bands up to 1 THz. In this study simulations was carried out to provide an estimation of attenuation levels due to the gaseous component, precipitating events present in the troposphere at the ground level. Furthermore, radio refractivity was also estimated. All results are referred to the Italian territory and for frequencies ranging from 40 to 840 GHz.