Periodic Reporting for period 1 - TeraGreen (Towards Energy-Efficient Tbps Wireless Links)
Reporting period: 2024-01-01 to 2024-12-31
TeraGreen will establish the foundations for future Tbit/sec communications systems by providing the understanding and proof-of-concept demonstrations of how the generation, detection and multiplexing of multiple ultra-wideband THz signals can be realized with highly energy-efficient and scalable technological solutions. TeraGreen targets high-speed, energy-efficient wireless communication systems for line-of-sight (LoS) back-hauling and purpose-built fixed wireless access applications in future 6G networks.
• TeraGreen develops ultra-wideband and low-power consumption BiCMOS transmitters and receivers at 300GHz integrated with dual-polarized lens antennas.
• TeraGreen develops quasi-optical MIMO architectures at 300GHz based on lens arrays to reach low radiated energy levels and a high degree of spatial multiplexing.
• TeraGreen develops zero-crossing modulation waveforms and baseband algorithms to reach >100Gbps per spatial channel suitable for energy-efficient 1-bit analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion.
• TeraGreen performs two link demonstrations to show >200Gbps capacities in medium-range links and a practical path towards >Tbps capacities with an energy-efficient solution for the first time.
• TeraGreen develops ultra-wideband and low-power consumption BiCMOS transmitters and receivers at 300GHz integrated with dual-polarized lens antennas.
• TeraGreen develops quasi-optical MIMO architectures at 300GHz based on lens arrays to reach low radiated energy levels and a high degree of spatial multiplexing.
• TeraGreen develops zero-crossing modulation waveforms and baseband algorithms to reach >100Gbps per spatial channel suitable for energy-efficient 1-bit analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion.
• TeraGreen performs two link demonstrations to show >200Gbps capacities in medium-range links and a practical path towards >Tbps capacities with an energy-efficient solution for the first time.
During the first year of the project, the consortium has focused on the following main activities:
• Definition of use cases KPIs and KVIs for TeraGreen in a public deliverable
• Link budget study focused on the main technologies in TeraGreen: near field links, BiCMOS H-band transmitters and zero-crossing modulation techniques.
• Design of active and antenna components operating in the H-band in the B11 and B12 BiCMOS process, including initial integration of amplifiers with an on-chip antenna
• Two tape-outs were submitted in two BiCMOS-processes: B11HFC (November 2024) and B12HFC (July 2024).
• Initial design of a steerable Quasi-optical antenna for near-field links
• Development of a zero-crossing modulation evaluation framework and derivation of improved RLL codes and of frequency offset estimation algorithms
• Definition of the TeraGreen demonstrations in terms of KPIs, technology requirements, and available facilities and equipment
• Definition of use cases KPIs and KVIs for TeraGreen in a public deliverable
• Link budget study focused on the main technologies in TeraGreen: near field links, BiCMOS H-band transmitters and zero-crossing modulation techniques.
• Design of active and antenna components operating in the H-band in the B11 and B12 BiCMOS process, including initial integration of amplifiers with an on-chip antenna
• Two tape-outs were submitted in two BiCMOS-processes: B11HFC (November 2024) and B12HFC (July 2024).
• Initial design of a steerable Quasi-optical antenna for near-field links
• Development of a zero-crossing modulation evaluation framework and derivation of improved RLL codes and of frequency offset estimation algorithms
• Definition of the TeraGreen demonstrations in terms of KPIs, technology requirements, and available facilities and equipment
TeraGreen will help to put European telecommunications and microelectronics industries at the forefront in the coming decade, strengthening an already strong position. Europe has a direct need to regain leadership in semiconductor development and manufacturing and to secure the supply of electronics equipment that both underpins critical functions in society and enables competitiveness in new business areas. The project focuses on the combination of new disruptive technology with experts from the leading teams in Europe, all bringing complementary skills and knowledge to the team.
The success of TeraGreen will bring significant advances in the evolution of communications networks in 6G. In particular, TeraGreen will serve as a key enabler for this evolution in a long-term time horizon, i.e. 5-10 years from the end of the project. TeraGreen can serve as a complete backhaul solution for small-cell dense urban networks and for purpose-built fixed wireless access applications where backhaul capacity will be in the range of 200-1000Gbps. In particular, the backhaul technology of TeraGreen can be used as an alternative to the wired, fiber or microwave backhaul link of dense cells and microcells. In this way, TeraGreen will enable the densification of cells in a cost-effective manner, since it will downscale the need to deploy wired backhaul links (i.e. only to those small-cell base stations that do not have a LoS). Thanks to the energy efficiency of the proposed technologies, this densification will also be possible in a power-friendly and eco-friendly manner.
The success of TeraGreen will bring significant advances in the evolution of communications networks in 6G. In particular, TeraGreen will serve as a key enabler for this evolution in a long-term time horizon, i.e. 5-10 years from the end of the project. TeraGreen can serve as a complete backhaul solution for small-cell dense urban networks and for purpose-built fixed wireless access applications where backhaul capacity will be in the range of 200-1000Gbps. In particular, the backhaul technology of TeraGreen can be used as an alternative to the wired, fiber or microwave backhaul link of dense cells and microcells. In this way, TeraGreen will enable the densification of cells in a cost-effective manner, since it will downscale the need to deploy wired backhaul links (i.e. only to those small-cell base stations that do not have a LoS). Thanks to the energy efficiency of the proposed technologies, this densification will also be possible in a power-friendly and eco-friendly manner.