As part of the COREnext project, researchers at IMEC have demonstrated a point-to-point sub-terahertz (sub-THz) communication link operating at 140 GHz, validating both its performance and security. The demonstration illustrates how high-frequency wireless communication can deliver ultra-high data rates while maintaining robustness against eavesdropping — a key step toward enabling next-generation 6G systems.
Sub-terahertz frequencies, such as 140 GHz, are nearly 50 times higher than those used in typical 4G or 5G networks. These bands offer significantly larger bandwidths, enabling data throughputs in the multi-gigabit-per-second range. Such capacity is crucial for emerging applications, including virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR), autonomous systems, and data-intensive industrial connectivity.
However, these advantages come with challenges. Operating at such high frequencies introduces hardware nonlinearities, including phase noise, IQ imbalance, and power amplifier limitations. To address these issues, IMEC first developed a comprehensive end-to-end MATLAB simulator to model and validate the effects of real hardware impairments in the sub-THz range. Once simulation results were verified, the team proceeded to experimental validation in the lab.
Experimental Setup and Performance Validation
The laboratory setup featured IMEC’s custom 140 GHz transceiver chip, connected to the baseband simulator developed in the project. The initial validation involved a simple point-to-point configuration, with a transmitter and receiver aligned directly.
Results from this experiment showed:
- 2 GHz bandwidth achieving a throughput of ~3.5 GB/s,
- When expanded to 4 GHz bandwidth, throughput increased to ~7 GB/s,
- The link maintained high reliability and a very low error rate.
These results confirm the feasibility of high-speed, low-latency sub-THz wireless communication and its potential for real-world high-capacity use cases.
Securing the Link with Analog Beam Steering
Beyond throughput, the demonstration also addressed communication security – specifically, how to prevent eavesdropping at such high frequencies.
To test this, the transmitter was mounted on a rotating platform to emulate a real-world scenario with a potential eavesdropper positioned off-axis. By performing analog beam steering, the team could control the direction of the transmitted signal.
Key findings include:
- When the eavesdropper’s receiver was positioned 10° off the main transmission path, it could still capture some of the signal.
- Beyond 20°, however, the eavesdropper’s link became unreliable, with negligible data reception.
- When beam steering was applied toward the legitimate receiver, the link quality improved even under minor misalignments.
These results demonstrate that beam steering not only enhances performance but also provides a practical layer of physical security, ensuring that signals remain confined to intended users.
Towards Secure, Ultra-High-Speed Wireless Systems
Through this demonstration, IMEC successfully validated both the feasibility and security of sub-THz communication at 140 GHz. The ability to achieve multi-gigabit throughput while maintaining link integrity and resisting interception highlights the potential of sub-THz technologies as a foundation for future 6G networks.
By combining hardware innovation, accurate modelling, and intelligent beam control, the COREnext project continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in secure, high-frequency wireless communication.