TeraLink: Conquering the

Terahertz Band

in Space

Toward the next generation of Non-Terrestrial Networks

OUR GOAL

The goal of the TeraLink mission is to establish a sub-THz communication link (Uplink and Downlink) to and from Low Earth Orbit to enable high-speed communication with small sopacecraft. Operating in the 209-240 GHz frequency band, TeraLink will demonstrate high-speed data transmission capabilities that far exceed current small satellite solutions while proving that cutting-edge terahertz technologies can be compact enough for CubeSat platforms. By bridging the gap between the crowded RF spectrum and complex optical systems, TeraLink paves the way for satellite networks that will enable enhanced scientific instruments, improved global connectivity, and resilient communications infrastructure.

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The Road to High Data Rates in Space: Terahertz vs. Optical Wireless Communication

With the ultimate vision of ubiquitous egalitarian worldwide coverage, private companies are launching satellite constellations at unprecedented rates. The large projected traffic in orbital cross-link communication will demand more spectrum to suit more users and to satisfy higher data rates. In this article, terahertz and optical wireless communication technologies are explored as the two projected high-data-rate cross-link communication technologies and are compared in terms of device technology capabilities and wireless propagation properties. A performance analysis including a link budget directly compares the two technologies for space communication in low Earth orbit constellations. More importantly, a roadmap is provided paving the way to push both ultrabroadband wireless technologies forward.

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Modeling Interference from Millimeter Wave and Terahertz Bands Cross-Links in Low Earth Orbit Satellite Networks for 6G and Beyond

High-rate satellite communications among hundreds and even thousands of satellites deployed at low-Earth orbits (LEO) will be an important element of the forthcoming sixth-generation (6G) of wireless systems beyond 2030. With millimeter wave communications (mmWave, ≈GHz–100GHz) completely integrated into 5G terrestrial networks, exploration of its potential, along with sub-terahertz (sub-THz, 100GHz–300GHz), and even THz (300GHz–3THz) frequencies, is underway for space-based networks. However, the interference problem between LEO mmWave/THz satellite cross-links in the same or different constellations is undeservedly forgotten. This article presents a comprehensive mathematical framework for modeling directional interference in all key possible scenario geometries. The framework description is followed by an in-depth numerical study on the impact of cross-link interference on various performance indicators, where the delivered analytical results are cross-verified via computer simulations. The study reveals that, while highly directional mmWave and, especially, THz beams minimize interference in many cases, there are numerous practical configurations where the impact of cross-link interference cannot be neglected and must be accounted for.

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Enhancing joint communications and sensing for cubesat networks in the terahertz band through orbital angular momentum

This work presents the first space-borne joint communication and sensing (JCS) platform, capable of performing atmospheric humidity sensing while simultaneously transmitting to a Ground Station receiver. Atmospheric sensing is performed through the Differential Absorption Radar approach, which requires transmission at high frequency/high absorption peaks (183 GHz). These frequency requirements are met thanks to the use of state-of-the-art sub-terahertz (THz) frontends, which are also leveraged by the communication system. The proposed design also leverages the latest advancements in wavefront engineering and uses a passive deployeable intelligent reflecting surface (IRS) on board of the satellite to simultaneously combine the communication signals with the sensing signals without interference (orthogonal mode multiplexing). The resulting sytem design performance is evaluated through simulation, achieving up to 400 Gbps and 160 Gbps for output powers of 3 W and 500 mW, respectively.

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