Atmosphere characterization for simulation of the two optimal wireless terahertz digital communication links

Our studies of terahertz pulse propagation in the atmosphere have identified the two most optimal communication channels. The potential of these channels is demonstrated by physically accurate linear dispersion theory calculations of digital pulse propagation, showing it is possible to have two high-performance, point-to-point digital terahertz links in the atmosphere: a direct 95 GHz, 20 km ground link at 9.5 Gb/s with power loss of 10 dB due to water vapor at RH 58% (10 g/m(3)) and 20 degrees C, and a direct 250 GHz, geosynchronous satellite link at 20.8 Gb/s with a 2 km zenith path with water vapor loss of 9 dB. (C) 2013 Optical Society of America