Full-Stack End-to-End Sub-THz Simulations at 140 GHz using NYUSIM Channel Model in ns-3

Abstract

The next generation of wireless communication is expected to harness the potential of the sub-THz bands to achieve exceptional performance and ubiquitous connectivity. However, network simulators such as ns-3 currently lack support for channel models above 100 GHz. This limits the ability of researchers to study, design, and evaluate systems operating above 100 GHz. Here, we use the drop-based NYUSIM channel model to simulate channels above 100 GHz in all 3GPP scenarios including urban microcell (UMi), urban macrocell (UMa), rural macrocell (RMa), indoor hotspot (InH), and indoor factory (InF). We evaluate the full stack downlink end-to-end performance (throughput, latency, and packet drop) experienced by a single user equipment (UE) connected to a Next Generation Node B (gNB) operating in the sub-THz bands for three gNB--UE antenna configurations: 8x8--4x4, 16x16--4x4, and 64x64--8x8 by using the NYUSIM channel model at 140 GHz in the ns-3 mmWave module. Our simulations demonstrate that sub-THz bands can enable high-fidelity applications that require data rates exceeding 1 Gbps and latency below 15 milliseconds (ms) using the current mmWave protocol stack, and large antenna arrays. In addition, we show the variation in throughput vs number of realizations and find the optimal number of realizations required to obtain statistically significant results. We strongly encourage researchers worldwide to adopt a similar approach, as it enables the readers to assess the accuracy and reliability of the reported results and enhance the findings' overall interpretability.