Investigation of propagation scenarios for high speed transmission at 300 GHz

A prospective frequency band for short range communication is around 300 GHz where sufficient bandwidth is available for high data rates. Up- and down converters providing around 20 GHz bandwidth at a carrier frequency within 260 GHz to 400 GHz have been used. At such high frequencies, the propagation properties differ significantly from the known behavior at lower frequencies. Hence, different scenarios have been investigated: direct line-of-sight transmission, multiple reflections at dielectric surfaces and reflection on compound materials such as computer boards (PCBs). Data rates up to 42 Gbit/s have been shown. Additionally, an advanced modulation format (PAM-4) has been tested.