Coherent terahertz wireless communication using dual-parallel MZM-based silicon photonic integrated circuits

Area of Science:

• Photonics
• Wireless Communication
• Signal Processing

Background:

• Silicon photonics offers solutions for high-capacity wireless transmission beyond 5G/6G.
• Challenges include THz signal generation, noise-robust detection, inter-channel crosstalk, and additive noise.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report coherent terahertz (THz) wireless communication using silicon photonics.
• To address challenges in THz signal generation and noise-robust detection.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a silicon photonic integrated circuit with a dual-parallel Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM).
• Optimized circuit structure and fabrication using the figure of merit (FOM) method.
• Employed advanced digital signal processing (DSP) for IQ imbalance and phase noise compensation.

Main Results:

• Achieved improved modulation efficiency and reduced optical loss.
• Successfully compensated for in-phase and quadrature (IQ) imbalance and phase noise.
• Demonstrated error-free 1-meter THz wireless transmission at 50 Gbps with bit-error rates below 10^-6.

Conclusions:

• Coherent THz wireless communication is feasible using optimized silicon photonics and advanced DSP.
• The developed system effectively mitigates phase noise and transmission impairments.
• This technology paves the way for future high-capacity wireless networks.