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The sixth generation (6G) of mobile communications, planned around 2030, is expected to support innovative applications with requirements not met with today’s technologies, such as massive-scale communications (within IoT), the Internet of senses, holographic communications, massive digital twinning and Extreme Reality, full autonomous driving and flying networks, considering use cases in smart cities, smart home and factories (e.g. ultra-high precision 3D positioning). With the emergence of viable THz communications systems on the horizon, it is crucial to contribute THz communication and networking to the technology roadmap for beyond 6G timeframe and a step closer to industrial uptake.
The TERRAMETA project aims to investigate revolutionary technologies for 6G and demonstrate the feasibility of Terahertz (THz) Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface (RIS) assisted ultra-high data rate wireless communications networks. Novel high-performance hardware including the THz RIS and THz transmitter/receiver will be developed and advanced network analysis/optimizations techniques will be developed using these real THz components. The proposed TERRAMETA THz network will be driven by 6G usage scenario requirements and indoor, outdoor, and indoor-to-outdoor scenarios will be demonstrated in real factory setting and telecom testing field. It is expected that the outcome of this project will significantly progress innovations for across the 6G Technology and systems.
HORIZON-JU-SNS-2022-STREAM-B-01-02
EU/Horizon Europe
5,883,264.00€
Horizon Europe Framework Programme (HORIZON)
01-01-2023 until 01-01-2026
The sixth generation of mobile communications, planned around 2030, is expected to support innovative applications with requirements not met with today’s technologies, such as massive-scale communications (within IoT), the Internet of senses, holographic communications, massive digital twinning and Extreme Reality, full autonomous driving and flying networks, considering use cases in smart cities, smart home and factories (e.g. ultra- high precision 3D positioning). With the emergence of viable THz communications systems on the horizon, new contributions in THz communication and networking are crucial for establishing the 6G technology roadmap and getting closer to industrial uptake.
The TERRAMETA project aims to investigate ground-breaking technologies for the sixth generation (6G) of mobile communications and demonstrate the feasibility of ultra-high data rate wireless networks leveraging on THz Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RISs). Novel high-performance hardware will be developed, including low power consumption THz wideband switches, THz RIS, and THz transmitter/receiver. Then, advanced network analysis/optimization techniques will be investigated using these real THz components. The proposed TERRAMETA THz network will be driven by 6G usage scenario requirements and indoor, outdoor, and indoor-to-outdoor scenarios to be demonstrated in a real factory setting and telecom testing field. It is expected that the outcome of this project will significantly progress innovations for across the 6G technology and systems.
TERRAMETA will take a multi-pronged interdisciplinary approach to demonstrate the feasibility of THz RIS assisted 6G network within appropriate operational settings by leveraging breakthroughs recently made by project partners in THz devices, systems, protocols and standardisation. TERRAMETA will innovate in 4 main pillars being 1) THz components 2) THz RISs, 3) Signal processing and network design and 4) Characterization and modelling. The layered approach will ensure that all system requirements aligned to the 6G usage scenarios will be integrated into development activities. A number of critical THz communicationss device breakthroughs will be proposed as part of the TERRAMETA work, including THz high-performance RISs and THz high-power transmitter/receiver.
Name: Project Management and Coordination
Lead Beneficiary: INESC TEC
Start Month: 01
End Month: 36
Tasks:
T1.1: Project coordination
T1.2: Project internal communication
T1.3: Data management
Number of deliverables: 5
Name: System Definition, Use cases & Requirements
Lead Beneficiary: BT
Start Month: 01
End Month: 18
Tasks:
T2.1: Reference system, scenarios, and use cases
T2.2: Requirements for THz access and backhaul
T2.3: Network architecture and mMIMO / RIS deployment strategies
Number of deliverables: 2
Name: Technology Evaluation, and THz Components Design
Lead Beneficiary: IT
Start Month: 04
End Month: 24
Tasks:
T3.1: RIS technology evaluation and definition
T3.2: RIS element design, modelling and synthesis
T3.3: Switches design, fabrication, characterisation and modelling
T3.4: THz Transmitter and Receiver Development
Number of deliverables: 3
Name: THz RIS Design, Synthesis, Fabrication, and Characterization
Lead Beneficiary: CEA
Start Month: 10
End Month: 33
Tasks:
T4.1: Scalability study
T4.2: Reflective RIS: synthesis, design and implementation
T4.3: Transmissive RIS: synthesis, design and implementation
T4.4: RIS controller circuit design
T4.5: RIS integration, control and characterization
Number of deliverables: 4
Name: THz Signal Processing with Reconfigurable Metasurfaces Participant
Lead Beneficiary: NKUA
Start Month: 04
End Month: 33
Tasks:
T5.1: Channel sounding and modelling
T5.2: Channel estimation, beam management, and baseband processing
T5.3: Ultra-massive MIMO communications signal processing
T5.4: Localisation and sensing with reconfigurable metasurfaces
Number of deliverables: 4
Name: Demonstration via PoCs and Field Trials
Lead Beneficiary: EISI
Start Month: 19
End Month: 36
Tasks:
T6.1: Functional components integration
T6.2: Simulation demonstrator
T6.3: Lab demonstrators
T6.4: Use case demonstrators
Number of deliverables: 2
Name: Dissemination, Standardization, and Exploitation
Lead Beneficiary: TUBS
Start Month: 01
End Month: 36
Tasks:
T7.1: Scientific dissemination and training
T7.2: Standardization and regulation
T7.3: Industrial exploitation
Number of deliverables: 3
The TERRAMETA project has received funding from the Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU) under the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No 101097101, including top-up funding by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) under the UK government’s Horizon Europe funding guarantee.
Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union, SNS JU or UKRI. The European Union, SNS JU or UKRI cannot be held responsible for them.
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