Graphene-Assisted High-Frequency Flexible Antenna Architecture for Secure and Scalable Terahertz Communication in Smart Environments

Abstract

The paper introduces the simulated design of graphene assisted high frequency flexible antenna design, which is optimized to be used as a terahertz (THz) communication in emerging smart environments. The use of graphene due to its outstanding electrical conductivity, mechanical flexibility as well as selective surface impedance allows such an antenna to perform at a frequency of 0.3-1.5 THz, a wavelength that satisfies the increasing need of ultra high speed and secure wireless communications in a 6G enabled infrastructure. The antenna is realized on polyimide substrate; a slotted patch geometry is used to increase band width and radiation patterns. Simulations in CST Microwave Studio and COMSOL Multiphysics ensure that this antenna can achieve high radiation efficiency (as well as low return loss (S11 < -20 dB) and mechanical stability (bending and curvature). In addition, physical-layer security and the prevention of the leakage of signals which occurs in densely connected smart systems exploit spatial filtering and directional properties of the emission. The proposed antenna design has low profile, conformal structure and reconfigurability, which makes it a suitable candidate for deployment in scalable applications like structural health monitoring, wearable and real-time sensor deployment on smart transport infrastructure and smart infrastructure systems.