International Telecommunications Union Recommendations updated thanks to EPSRC-funded TRACCS project

Thanks to the generous support of EPSRC through the mmWave TRACCS project and the outstanding leadership of Professor Sana Salous, the innovative contributions of Prof Yang Hao and Dr Valentina Cicchetti at QMUL who developed a novel omnidirectional antenna at 300 GHz using transformation optics and 3D additive manufacturing, which have overcome longstanding challenges of material loss and fabrication at terahertz frequencies, and Professor Izzat Darwazeh and his team at UCL who using the radio channel measurements conducted in the D band by the Durham team demonstrated exceptional data rates using state of the art hardware. The new antenna designed at QMUL offers unique radiation patterns, enabling rapid radio channel propagation measurements in indoor scenarios that are more effective and efficient than ever before, a vital step in designing reliable 6G and beyond networks.

The multi-band radio propagation measurements, extending from 0.4-300 GHz, conducted with Durham University unique multi-band channel sounder in indoor and outdoor scenarios were contributed to the data bank of Study Group 3 of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). We are also very proud that our work has contributed directly to international standards, with the updated models now published in two ITU recommendations: P.1238 and P.1411. Professor Salous is also leading the development of the propagations models of the European Telecommunications Standard Institute (ETSI) working group on THz.

This milestone demonstrates how cutting-edge academic research can shape global guidance and nurture the technologies that will define the next generation of wireless communication.