Photonic Vector Network Analyzer for Agile Channel Sounding Across the Sub-THz Spectrum
Year: 2026
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: This paper presents the design and implementation of an agile sub-terahertz (sub-THz) photonic channel sounder capable of characterizing wireless propagation channels within the 100 GHz to 1 THz frequency range. The sounder is based on a novel photonic vector network analyzer (pVNA) principle that employs a frequency-sweep-and-sample approach. This design enables precise and tunable carrier-frequency generation, sweeping, and sampling, thereby overcoming the bandwidth limitations of traditional VNAs. Experimental evaluations highlight the system’s high temporal resolution (100 ps) and broadband performance (10 GHz), and demonstrate over-the-air calibration and monostatic channel measurements across three sub-THz bands (155 GHz, 300 GHz, and 450 GHz). The results establish the feasibility of the pVNA-based channel sounder as a powerful and versatile tool for measuring various widely separated and distributed sub-THz bands.
Language: English
Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7225100960