Active Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface-Aided Terahertz Wireless Communications

TL;DR

This paper investigates the use of active reconfigurable intelligent surfaces to enhance terahertz wireless communications, addressing challenges like noise, absorption, and beam misalignment for future 6G networks.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive ergodic rate model for active RIS-assisted THz communications, considering unique factors like active noise and molecular absorption.

Findings

Active RIS can significantly improve coverage and reliability in THz communications.

The ergodic rate is affected by active noise, molecular absorption, and beam misalignment.

Proposed models provide insights for optimizing active RIS deployment in 6G networks.

Abstract

Terahertz (THz) communication is expected to be a key technology for future sixth-generation (6G) wireless networks. Furthermore, reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS) have been proposed to modify the wireless propagation environment and enhance system performance. Given the sensitivity to blockages and limited coverage range, RIS is particularly promising for THz communications. Active RIS can overcome the multiplicative fading effect in RIS-aided communications. In this paper, we explore active RIS-assisted THz communications. We formulate the ergodic rate, considering factors associated with active RIS, including active noise and signal amplification, and THz signals, including molecular absorption and beam misalignment