TeraFemto: Terahertz Femtocell for 5G Mobile Networks

Funded by: TUBITAK 1003 Fund
Period: July 2014 - June 2017
Amount: 2M TL (725,000 Euro)

The main purpose of the project “TeraFemto- Terahertz Femtocell for 5G Mobile Networks” is to develop communication techniques for mobile communication in the frequency range above 275 GHz, which is yet to be allocated for active services by ITU. Ultimate goal of the project is to realize a communication system, which operates on low THz band with femtocell network architecture for the first time in the world.

According to a recent research (Cisco Systems, 2013) on global mobile systems, it is expected that global mobile data traffic, which grew 70% in 2012, will achieve a compound annual growth rate 66% till the end of 2017. The research also states another important trend, which is the expected increase in mobile network connection speeds. To satisfy the needs of future data traffic, it’s not possible to reach to the data speed up to 10 Gb/s by only increasing the spectral efficiency. Therefore, the project Terafemto is proposed by Koc University.

In TeraFemto project, the design of channel modeling, physical, MAC and network layer techniques, which will enable the usage of low THz band for communications in beyond 4G broadband communication systems, will be done. Later, the operating prototype system will be constructed inside the engineering faculty building of Koc University.

The research activities of the TeraFemto project will start with channel measurements and channel modeling along with analysis studies on communication technologies and business model in short time. After having a better understanding of the low THz band, by the end of the second year, the studies will continue on physical layer, data link layer, and network layer solutions with antenna solutions in order to develop proper communication techniques.

Goals and Impact

TeraFemto project has been developed to mainly achieve the following goals: Developing communication techniques which addresses backhaul and MAC layer problems in the communications systems beyond 4G, and developing the prototype system using the techniques developed. Hence, when TeraFemto is realized, through the National Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy vision, Turkey will be one of the first countries which has significant knowledge on the mobile communication techniques on femtocell architecture and low THz band for 4G and beyond.