Graphene can be used to manufacture nano-antennas and nano-transceivers with atomic precision, suited for the targeted size of nanomachines. Several quantum properties affect the propagation of electromagnetic (EM) waves in this nanomaterial. As a result, graphene-based nano-antennas, which are just a few hundreds of nanometers in their largest dimension, radiate in the Terahertz Band (0.1-10 THz). Similarly, the expected frequency band of graphene-based RF components is also in the Terahertz range. This still unregulated frequency range introduces several challenges for communication in graphene-based nanonetworks.

The objective of the project is to establish is the scientific foundations of graphene-based nanoscale machines communication and networks in the Terahertz Band. For this, the project is divided into three main areas: i) Nano-device modeling, in particular, design of graphene-based nano-antennas and very large antenna arrays for Terahertz Band communication, and design of novel transmitter and receiver architectures for nanomachines; ii) Physical Layer solutions, in particular, development of novel information coding and modulation schemes for nanonetworks in the Terahertz Band, and development of novel transmission systems with very large antenna arrays; and, iii) Data, Network and Transport Layers solutions, in particular, development of novel synchronization and channel access schemes for nanomachines, addressing and routing algorithms, and end-to-end reliable transport protocols for nanonetworks.