Terahertz Antennas for 5G and Beyond 5G

Over the past few years, there has been an incredible rise in demand for wireless communication technology that supports high data speeds, exceptional spectrum efficiency and excellent broad band fading reduction. Due to changes in how information is generated, shared, and used by today's society, data traffic has rapidly expanded in the wireless realm. There won't be enough spectrum left for wireless technology to manage these high data rates, hence new spectral bands will be needed. This has now come up with the usage of the Terahertz (THz) frequency band (0.1-10 THz). This band is often known as the THz gap since the technology for generating and detecting terahertz radiation is still in its infacy. It is the frequency range between millimeter-wave and infrared that has received the least attention to research fraternity. In order to satisfy the need for 5G and B5G (Beyond 5G) networks, the spectrum between 0.1 and 10 THz is regarded as a scientific innovation. The development of miniaturized antennas in these bands of frequency leads to the miniaturization of the antenna into the range of millimeters or micrometers. For instance, there is an increase in wireless data by 200% for every three years. This in turn, is making the wireless data rate to reach the point where it is almost comparable with the wired communication systems. The antenna required for faster connectivity anywhere at any time has grown in tandem with this trend.

Applications for terahertz technology include static point-to-point networking in server rooms or high-performance computer, as well as short-range ultra- broadband accelerated wireless connectivity. The large cable connections in server rooms or supercomputers might be replaced by such an antenna. For the transmission of signals, researchers are looking for SubTHz and THz frequency bands (0.1 THz-10 THz), since very high data rates within a confined duration are becoming the major goal in the emerging communication field. The SubTHz frequency band (0.1 THz) experiences less reduction in signal strength due to atmospheric factors like rain and fog compared to the upper band of THz band, which leads to a spectrum with increased capacity for data transmission.

Terahertz frequency communication links are crucial in situations that demand high data rates over short distances. With the help of these frequencies, rapid data transmission can be achieved within a span of 10 meters. There are presently 23 billion devices linked to the internet, and it is predicted that there will be 75 billion devices online by the year 2025.