Analysis of Reconfigurable Compact THz Antenna-Detector Units

THz antenna and detector research faces huge challenges but also opens new application areas in the context of future communication systems such as 6G. Reconfigurable antenna-detector units manufactured in semiconductor processes are very promising for this use case. A joint design of a Schottky diode based THz detector and a matched planar on-chip antenna allows for reconfigurability through the Schottky diode's bias current. A model that takes into account all parameters of detector and antenna has been developed. Utilising this model, we analyzed various types of planar antennas regarding their reconfigurability features, their capacity to detect THz signals (broadband and narrowband) and the required chip area. The antenna-detector unit employing a Spiral Square Antenna achieves the best THz detection with relatively low area consumption. Both, Spiral Round Antenna and Spiral Square Antenna have good reconfigurability features. However, as each antenna has different spectral features and reconfigurability ranges, the antenna structure must be selected according to the application based on the analysis presented in this paper.