Terahertz Wireless Communications: Co-sharing for Terrestrial and Satellite Systems above 100 GHz

TL;DR

This paper explores the potential of spectrum up to 1 THz for future mobile communications, demonstrating minimal interference between terrestrial and satellite systems through rooftop measurements at 140 GHz.

Contribution

It provides the first measurements and analysis showing natural isolation and minimal interference between terrestrial and satellite systems above 100 GHz.

Findings

Minimal interference observed between terrestrial and satellite systems at 140 GHz.

Natural isolation is maintained when terrestrial emitters keep low elevation angles.

Results support coexistence of terrestrial and satellite communications in the THz band.

Abstract

This paper demonstrates how spectrum up to 1 THz will support mobile communications beyond 5G in the coming decades. Results of rooftop surrogate satellite/tower base station measurements at 140 GHz show the natural isolation between terrestrial networks and surrogate satellite systems, as well as between terrestrial mobile users and co-channel fixed backhaul links. These first-of-their-kind measurements and accompanying analysis show that by keeping the energy radiated by terrestrial emitters on the horizon (e.g., elevation angles $\leq$15\textdegree), there will not likely be interference in the same or adjacent bands between passive satellite sensors and terrestrial terminals, or between mobile links and terrestrial backhaul links at frequencies above 100 GHz.