Device-to-device Communications at the Terahertz Band: Open Challenges for Realistic Implementation

Abstract

One of the key parameters that plays a major role in enabling the data rate requirements is spectrum or bandwidth, which is scarce and expensive. Therefore, spectrum management policies are required to optimize its usage to meet all the requirements and the promised data rate growth. Another strategy to deal with spectrum scarcity is to move toward higher frequency bands (terahertz bands), which are expected in the next 6G communication standard. It is therefore important to develop not only new techniques that enable efficient dynamic spectrum access and sharing at such bands, but also suitable channel models for the terahertz bands. Meanwhile, offloading mechanisms are very promising for cellular networks where a plethora of options have been proposed in the research arena in terms of device-to-device, licensed assisted access, or WiFi offloading, among others; but their behavior, when operated at high frequencies (terahertz band) remains unclear. Therefore, this article will tackle two technologies that will shape future networks: terahertz channel modeling/communications and offloading mechanisms.