Performance analysis of 300 GHz backhaul links using historic weather data

According to the recently published IEEE standard 802.15.3d (2017), THz links operating at 300 GHz are viable to achieve more than 100 Gbit s(-1) of data rate. This feature can support a transition of the future backhaul connectivity from the underground fibre connection to the wireless, where fibre links are not available or too costly to install. The EU-Japan Horizon 2020 project ThoR is working towards the demonstration of such links. A detailed investigation on the influence of weather conditions will help to derive planning guidelines of 300 GHz backhaul links for forthcoming applications. This paper focuses on the dependency of the THz link on the general weather by using ray-tracing simulation. Simulation is conducted combining ITU-R propagation models for atmospheric attenuation (water vapour and oxygen content of air, droplets of rains, liquid content of clouds or fog), a wind-depending swaying model for the antenna poles, and historical measured climate data for the deployment scenarios considered in the ThoR project. As a result, this research will show the feasibility of THz link in outdoor applications under general weather conditions, defines weather-dependent outage probabilities, and allows us to derive planning guidelines of THz links at a frequency of 300 GHz.

Automated summary

The paper discusses the potential of THz links operating at 300 GHz according to the IEEE standard 802.15.3d (2017) and the transition from underground fiber connections to wireless backhaul connectivity. Weather conditions influence on the outdoor application of THz links is investigated through ray-tracing simulations, providing planning guidelines and outage probabilities for future applications.