5G Over Terahertz Using OpenAirInterface

Abstract

This work demonstrates the first-of-a-kind real-time end-to-end 5G connectivity between a user (UE) and the base station (gNB) at terahertz (THz) frequencies. While the gNB's 5G solution is based on OpenAirInterface (OAI), the UE can either be an off-the-shelf commercial 5G mobile terminal or an OAI-based solution. In both nodes, analog THz frontend modules are used to up-convert the intermediate frequency signal into THz frequencies. Implementation details and early experimental results indicating the feasibility of sending 5G waveform at THz frequencies are presented. Such prototypes will facilitate the development of integrated access and backhaul (IAB) solutions using THz links beyond 5G and 6G networks.