TERRAMETA

TERRAMETA demonstrated an integrated D-band wireless transport solution targeting high-capacity wireless access and future DU/CU and xHaul connectivity. The use case explores outdoor and outdoor-to-indoor deployment of THz Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS) and conventional THz transmitters, investigating how RIS technology can improve coverage, spectral efficiency and connectivity in scenarios where conventional line-of-sight links are limited or blocked.

In outdoor deployments, THz RIS can be positioned within the propagation path to control and redirect wireless signals, enabling more flexible network coverage. For outdoor-to-indoor connectivity, RIS can act as a smart repeater, either passive or reconfigurable, allowing sub-THz signals to reach indoor environments without relying on conventional power amplifiers. This offers a potentially low-cost and energy-efficient approach to extending high-capacity connectivity into difficult-to-reach areas.

The TERRAMETA proof of concept demonstrated these capabilities through a compact booth configuration using a RIS-assisted non-line-of-sight propagation path, complemented by a separate 40-metre line-of-sight test validating end-to-end packet transport through the integrated baseband and D-band RF chain.

The use case demonstrates the potential of D-band wireless links as a flexible, high-capacity and fibre-like transport solution for dense or challenging network deployments where installing fixed infrastructure may be difficult or costly. Further validation will focus on key performance parameters, including synchronisation, availability, packet loss, latency and jitter, against the requirements of specific RAN functional splits.