Body-Centric Terahertz Networks: Prospects and Challenges
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Body-Centric Terahertz Networks: Prospects and Challenges Item Type Preprint Authors Saeed, Nasir; Loukil, Mohamed Habib; Sarieddeen, Hadi; Al- Naffouri, Tareq Y.; Alouini, Mohamed-Slim Eprint version Pre-print Download date 25/09/2021 06:07:52 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10754/664913 1 Body-Centric Terahertz Networks: Prospects and Challenges Nasir Saeed, Senior Member, IEEE, Mohamed Habib Loukil, Student Member, IEEE, Hadi Sarieddeen, Member, IEEE, Tareq Y. Al-Naffouri, Senior Member, IEEE, and Mohamed-Slim Alouini, Fellow, IEEE Abstract—Following recent advancements in Terahertz (THz) THz frequencies start with 100 GHz, below which is the technology, THz communications are currently being celebrated mmWave band. From the optical communication perspective, as key enablers for various applications in future generations THz frequencies are below 10 THz (the far-infrared) (see Fig. of communication networks. While typical communication use cases are over medium-range air interfaces, the inherently 1). According to the IEEE 802.15 Terahertz Interest Group small beamwidths and transceiver footprints at THz frequencies (IGthz), the THz range is 300 GHz-10 THz [26]. support nano-communication paradigms. In particular, the use Besides enabling high-speed wireless communications, the of the THz band for in-body and on-body communications has THz band has numerous medical applications, such as in char- been gaining attention recently. By exploiting the accurate THz acterizing tablet coatings, investigating drugs, dermatology, sensing and imaging capabilities, body-centric THz biomedical applications can transcend the limitations of molecular, acoustic, oral healthcare, oncology, and medical imaging [27]. Another and radio-frequency solutions. In this paper, we study the promising use of the THz band is to enable connectivity use of the THz band for body-centric networks, by surveying in body-centric networks (BCNs). Due to the unique THz works on THz device technologies, channel and noise modeling, propagation properties and sensing capabilities, and due to the modulation schemes, and networking topologies. We also promote THz radiation’s relative safety on biological tissues [28], the THz sensing and imaging applications in the healthcare sector, especially for detecting zootonic viruses such as Coronavirus. We THz spectrum can improve the performance of existing BCNs, present several open research problems for body-centric THz thus enabling various medical applications [29]. The BCN networks. paradigm consists of connected bio-nano sensors and devices Index Terms—THz communications, body-centric networks, that compute various physical and physiological phenomena, channel modeling, modulation, coding, networking, sensing, such as heart rate and glucose level, as shown in Fig. 2. These imaging, Coronavirus networks can operate inside the human body in real-time for health monitoring and medical implant communication [30]. Also, BCNs can feature in e-drug delivery systems [31]. I. INTRODUCTION BCNs can further be classified into two categories, on- As the deployment of the fifth-generation (5G) of wire- body and in-body networks (OBNs and IBNs). OBNs uti- less mobile communications is in full swing, the research lize wearable devices or implanted nano-sensors that provide community is moving forward, looking into beyond 5G. The continuous monitoring of patients. OBN devices principally common topic across different research projects is the usage use the radio-frequency (RF) technology to disseminate infor- and applications of higher frequencies in the millimeter- mation; however, the main disadvantages of this technology wave (mmWave) and terahertz (THz) frequency bands. While are high-energy consumption and electromagnetic interfer- mmWave communications are already defining 5G [1], [2], ence. On the contrary, IBNs consist of tiny-devices, also THz-band communications are expected to play a vital role in called nano-machines, that patrol within the body and collect the upcoming sixth-generation (6G) wireless technology [3]– critical health-related information [32]. Primitively, nature- [22]. Therefore, THz-related research has attracted significant inspired molecular communication is used to connect such funding and standardization efforts are already underway [23]– nano-machines [33]. Other technologies are investigated for [25]. BCN applications such us acoustic solutions [34], [35]. Fur- The THz band between the microwave and optical bands thermore, researchers are currently investigating a wide range is the only piece of the radio-frequency (RF) spectrum that of electromagnetic frequencies [36], [37], where the optical remains unutilized for communication purposes. Therefore, and THz bands are considered as promising alternatives. In both the microwave and optical bands’ wireless communi- addition, there are some attempts to use hybrid systems for cation technologies are expected to stretch to support THz communicating inside the human body [38], [39]. To better communications. From the RF communications perspective, understand different BCN paradigms, the interested readers are referred to [31], [32] that briefly discuss these wireless The authors are with the Department of Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering (CEMSE), King Abdullah technologies for nano communications. In Table I, we enlist University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Makkah Province, the literature on promising wireless technologies for IBNs. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 23955-6900 (e-mail: [email protected]; Inter-connecting the nano-devices to form a network that [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]). This work can exchange information and achieve a common goal is vital was supported by the KAUST Office of Sponsored Research. and challenging in BCNs. Since nano-devices are quite dif- 2 Transistor Laser Terahertz gap Infrared Visible 300 MHz 3 GHz 30 GHz 300 GHz 3 THz 30 THz 300 THz Fig. 1: The THz gap. networking architectures. Nevertheless, the RF technology is not suitable for BCNs due to its lack of compactness, high Cochlear implants complexity, and power consumption [29]. Therefore, recent Retinal implants research has shown that the THz band has the potential to enable low complexity, power-efficient, and high-bandwidth Gateway to Internet point-to-point links in BCNs [32]. Cardiac nano- THz communications still face various challenges, such Nano-sensors for blood/ sensors bone composition sensing as high path loss due to atmospheric losses and spreading, Nano-router limiting their communication range [129]. For example, to communicate at distances of a few millimeters, the entire THz band is available due to negligible atmospheric loss. However, to establish links in the order of meters without Nano-sensors for muscle the support of additional antenna and power gains, only sub- functioning THz frequencies in the order of tens of gigahertz (GHz) can be used. Furthermore, direct single-hop long distances are difficult to achieve with THz frequencies due to the high attenuation. As a result of such constraints, novel THz-specific transceiver designs are required, that should be of compact size, high-sensitivity, low-power, and low-noise figure. Carbon Fig. 2: Illustration of BCN architecture with nano-scale de- nanotubes [130], complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor vices. (CMOS), [131], silicon-germanium (BiCMOS) [132], and graphene-based [133] transceivers are potential candidates. Connecting the nano-devices in BCNs is thus crucial, and can be achieved using various wireless communication tech- ferent from conventional sensing devices, the communication nologies. For OBNs, there are multiple options to connect technologies that interconnect them need to be re-evaluated. wearable devices, such as RF, optical, and THz paradigms. The most obvious solution seems to be RF technologies; However, in IBNs, the possibilities are limited to molec- however, nano-devices’ distinct properties require modifying ular and THz communications, due to the aforementioned the existing channel models, communication protocols, and limitations of in-vivo RF communications [134]. Hence, the TABLE I: Literature on promising wireless technologies for IBNs. Electromagnetic Issues addressed Molecular Acoustic RF THz Optical [34], [35] Channel modeling [40]–[56] [57]–[66] [67]–[71] [33], [72]–[78] [79], [80] Noise modeling [46], [56], [81] [58], [82]–[87] [67] [88]–[91] [35] [41], [46], [56] [59], [86] [72], [95] Performance analysis [67]–[71] [35], [79] [92], [93] [83], [94] [91], [96]–[98] Experimental [81], [93], [99] [100], [94] - [101], [102] [80] demonstration Modulation and [79], [80] [56] [28], [94], [103]–[105] [68], [69], [106] [107]–[112] coding schemes [113] [74], [78] [79], [80] Networking [114] [115]–[117] [70] [118] [119] Security [120], [121] [120]–[123] [120], [121] [127], [128] Testbeds [92], [124]–[126] [62], [63], [100] - [79], [113] [77] 3 research on THz BCNs is promising where novel transceiver TABLE II: Comparison of relevant review articles. designs, antennas, channel models, modulation and coding Ref. Year Area of Focus schemes, and networking topologies are still in progress. Akyildiz et al [3] 2010 Presents THz communications for NNs, Since several research challenges still face THz BCNs, it is channel modeling, and routing protocols crucial to review these networks’ various aspects and highlight Jornet et al. [137] 2012 Introduces