A Survey on Advancements in THz Technology for 6G: Systems, Circuits, Antennas, and Experiments

Abstract: Terahertz (THz) carrier frequencies (100 GHz to 10 THz) have been touted as a source for unprecedented wireless connectivity and high-precision sensing, courtesy of their wide bandwidth availability and small wavelengths, but noteworthy implementation challenges remain to make this a reality. In this paper, we survey recent advancements in THz technology and its role in future 6G wireless networks, with a particular emphasis on the 200-400 GHz frequency range and the IEEE 802.15.3d standard. We provide a comprehensive overview of THz systems, circuits, device technology, and antennas, while also highlighting recent experimental demonstrations of THz technology. Throughout the paper, we review the state-of-the-art and call attention to open problems, future prospects, and areas of further improvement to fully realize the potential of THz communication in next-generation wireless connectivity.