Assessment of sub-THz Mesh Backhaul Capabilities from Realistic Modelling at the PHY Layer

Spectrum above 90 GHz is a key promising investigation domain to offer future wireless networks with performance beyond IMT 2020 such as 100 + Gbit/s data rate or sub-ms latency. As the propagation is strongly constrained at those frequencies, the short-range connectivity is a relevant target application. However, the huge available bandwidth can also serve the backhaul transport network in the perspective of future ultra-dense deployments, and massive fronthaul data streams. This paper investigates the feasibility and characteristics of the sub-THz mesh backhauling either installed in the streets or inside a large venue. The study relies on the highly realistic simulation of the physical layer performance, based on detailed geographical representation, ray-based propagation modelling, RF phase noise impairment, and a new robust polar modulation. It is shown that each link of a dense mesh backhaul network can reliably deliver several Gbit/s per 1-GHz carrier bandwidth.