Feasibility Study on the Polyethylene (PE) Waveguide Cable for Future Exploration in Terabit DSL

Abstract

Due to the demand for higher data rates and greater download speeds by users and increasing number of deployed devices providing content-rich data, new cost-effective technologies which utilizes the concept of waveguides over copper that can enable the realization of terabit DSL need to be explored to meet the required demands. This paper presents the assessment of propagation characteristics in a dielectric waveguide circular waveguide which include scattering parameters and attenuation coefficient. The design and simulation process have been carried out using CST Microwave Studios at the frequency of 100GHz to 300GHz. The polyethylene (PE waveguide) with diameter size of 0.5 mm and 0.63 mm which are the twisted pair cables used in the existing DSL technology are deployed during the studies. Based on the simulated reflection and transmission coefficient, the THz waves are able to propagate within the PE waveguide. It is also found that the attenuation coefficient which is which between 0.03 to 0.2 dB/cm is in par with the specification of the established communication system. The results obtained can be considered the first step on understanding the propagation characteristics of waveguide at terahertz frequency range towards the realization of Terabit DSL.