Enabling autonomous systems in 6G and beyond era with terahertz communications

Wireless communications in the ultra-broad terahertz (THz) band (e.g., 0.1–10 THz) have emerged as a key enabler for future 6G and beyond wireless and vehicular communication networks, capturing significant attention from both academia and industry. In recent years, substantial progress has been made in the THz hardware domain, addressing the longstanding "THz gap". Motivated by these advancements, this talk will provide a high-level overview of the critical importance and transformative benefits of THz communications in 6G and beyond. I will briefly introduce recent developments in THz devices, experimental platforms, and simulation tools. Building on the unique characteristics of THz channels, I will explore cutting-edge solutions and ongoing challenges in THz communications for wireless and vehicular networks. Topics will include physical layer innovations such as beamforming and beamfocusing, advanced networking strategies such as reliability analysis and spectrum allocation, the integration of THz communications with other emerging technologies, such as machine learning. This talk is designed to engage a broad audience, including experts in wireless and vehicular communications as well as telecommunications networking engineers from both academia and industry, offering valuable insights and meaningful discussions.