System Design and Performance Analysis for RIS-assisted Terahertz Self-Alignment Beamforming

Abstract: The widespread deployment of Internet of Things(IoT) devices underscores the need for sustainable wireless solutions capable of simultaneously transferring both energy and information. Terahertz (THz) band-enabled simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT) systems offer ultra-high data rates and expansive bandwidth. However, THz waves are inherently susceptible to severe path loss and beam misalignment due to their narrow-beam characteristics. In this context, this paper proposes a reconfigurable intelligent surface(RIS)-assisted transmitter architecture for the THz-SWIPT system, which enables end-to-end self-alignment for steady-state transmission. The proposed system incorporates phase conjugate circuits to achieve self-aligned beamforming, facilitating the dynamic tracking of mobile IoT devices without the need for beam training. Additionally, active amplification within the RIS arrays compensates for cascaded channel attenuation through an iterative power cycle, thereby enhancing the energy transmission efficiency. Theoretical models and simulations indicate that the proposed system significantly mitigates sidelobe interference, achieving a transmission efficiency of up to 73.26% over a 2 meter distance with self-alignment.