Ultra-Wide Band Communications in the Extremely High Frequency (EHF) Band

The growing demand for broad-band wireless communication links and the lack of wide frequency bands within the conventional spectrum, causes us to seek bandwidth in the higher microwave and millimeter-wave spectrum at extremely high frequencies (EHF) above 30 GHz. One of the principal challenges in realizing modern wireless communication links in the EHF band are phenomena occuring during electromagnetic wave propagation through the atmosphere. A space-frequency approach for analyzing wireless communication channels operating in the EHF band is presented. Propagation of the electromagnetic radiation is studied in the frequency domain, enabling consideration of ultrawide-band modulated signals. The theory is employed for the analysis of a communication channel operating at EHF which utilizes pulse amplitude modulated signals. The atmospheric absorptive and dispersive effects on pulse propagation delay, pulse width and distortion are discussed. The theory and model are demonstrated in a study of ultrashort-pulse transmission at 60 GHz.