Terahertz Reconfigurable Metasurfaces for Ultra-high Rate Wireless Communications

The sixth generation (6G) of mobile communications, planned around 2030, is expected to support innovative applications with requirements not met with today’s technologies, such as massive-scale communications (within IoT), the Internet of senses, holographic communications, massive digital twinning and Extreme Reality, full autonomous driving and flying networks, considering use cases in smart cities, smart home and factories (e.g. ultra-high precision 3D positioning). With the emergence of viable THz communications systems on the horizon, it is crucial to contribute THz communication and networking to the technology roadmap for beyond 6G timeframe and a step closer to industrial uptake. The TERRAMETA project aims to investigate revolutionary technologies for 6G and demonstrate the feasibility of Terahertz (THz) Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface (RIS) assisted ultra-high data rate wireless communications networks. Novel high-performance hardware including the THz RIS and THz transmitter/receiver will be developed and advanced network analysis/optimizations techniques will be developed using these real THz components. The proposed TERRAMETA THz network will be driven by 6G usage scenario requirements and indoor, outdoor, and indoor-to-outdoor scenarios will be demonstrated in real factory setting and telecom testing field. It is expected that the outcome of this project will significantly progress innovations for across the 6G technology and systems.