Researchers report breakthrough advancement in terahertz communications in 6G networks

SUNY Polytechnic Institute researchers are helping shape the future of next-generation wireless communications through groundbreaking research in the terahertz (THz) frequency spectrum, which is expected to power 6G and beyond. The team is comprised of faculty and researchers from the Wireless and Intelligent Next Generation Systems (WINGS) Center, including Dr. Arjun Singh (Director) and Dr. Priyangshu Sen, as well as student researcher Justin Osmond.

The SUNY Poly team, in collaboration with Florida International University Professor Arjuna Madanayake, will present a newly installed experimental terahertz testbed at the 59th IEEE Asilomar Conference on Signals, Systems, and Computers on October 28th.

Their paper, “J-band communication systems considering the transition from near-field to far-field fields – an experimental approach,” presents a fully functional hardware and software backbone testbed that can be utilized to investigate how wireless signals behave at terahertz frequencies (0.1-10 THz), an important frontier for ultra-fast data transfer, secure communications, and intelligent sensing systems.

Advancing the frontiers of 6G research

The research centers on a specialized J-band testbed (220-330 GHz) hosted in SUNY Poly’s Advanced Communication Electronics and Sensing (ACES) lab. This system enables experimental studies of short-range and long-range communication channels and provides the data needed to model and improve future terahertz wireless links.

Dr. Singh and Dr. Sen explain that the terahertz band has the potential to revolutionize communications technology by enabling unprecedented data speeds, high-resolution sensing, and enhanced security. However, its unique propagation characteristics, such as significant near-field effects and asymmetric up/downlink behavior, pose challenges that require both theoretical modeling and practical experiments.

“The terahertz band represents the next big leap in communications technology,” Dr. Singh said. “Our research provides an experimental setup to understand how these signals behave as they transition between near-field and far-field domains. That understanding is essential for building the next generation of wireless systems that are fast, energy efficient, and secure.”

Modeling near-field tasks

Unlike low-frequency systems, terahertz antennas operate in near-field regions that extend to tens of meters, dramatically changing how signals propagate and interact with the environment. Traditional models such as the Friis path loss equation break down in this situation, requiring new mathematical frameworks and experimental validation.

SUNY Poly and FIU research teams designed and validated a path loss model that considers both short-range and long-range propagation mechanisms. Using a custom-built ACES testbed, they conducted experiments to demonstrate how antenna characteristics directly affect THz channel performance.

Their results show that near-field terahertz communication channels are inherently asymmetric, meaning that uplink and downlink capacities can differ based on antenna configuration, a finding that could have major implications for 6G network design and standardization efforts.

collaboration and innovation

This effort reflects the joint strengths of New York Institute of Technology and Florida International University, combining expertise in hardware design, signal processing, and channel modeling to address one of the most pressing challenges in emerging wireless systems.

The team’s collaboration highlights the importance of interdisciplinary research in the advancement of communications technology.

“Partnerships like this allow us to combine experimental insights with theoretical modeling,” SUNY Poly professors said. “Together, we are developing tools that will help define how 6G systems are built, tested, and deployed.”

Building the future of wireless innovation

This research will directly contribute to global efforts to develop standards and applications for terahertz communications, from ultra-secure short-range links to high-resolution radar imaging and collaborative communications sensing systems.

Through the efforts of faculty, collaborators, and students, SUNY Poly continues to expand its leadership in advanced communication research. The team’s next steps include improving the terahertz testbed, enhancing channel modeling, and exploring new antenna architectures to further advance the field.

“This research represents an important step toward realizing the potential of 6G,” said Dr. Singh. “By understanding the physics of the terahertz band through experiments and collaborative research, we are preparing to unlock new capabilities in wireless connectivity and sensing that will transform the way we communicate.”