Pinching antenna systems outperform phased arrays in short-range terahertz communications

Terahertz (THz) frequencies are critical for achieving the 100 Gbps speeds required for uncompressed 8K video and volumetric streaming, yet severe atmospheric absorption limits their range. This research proves that PASS is a viable alternative to the massive, power-hungry phased arrays currently dominating 6G hardware roadmaps. By moving the 'antenna' physically closer to the user along a waveguide, the industry can bypass the high cost of traditional THz beamforming. Watch for NTT DOCOMO's integration of these analytical models into their physical prototypes as they move from laboratory validation toward 'near-wired' indoor coverage solutions.

The commercial exploration of Terahertz (THz) communications is accelerating as a foundational pillar for 6G, with standard bodies such as the ITU targetting data rates of one terabit per second (1 Tbps) by 2030. According to research from MIT in February 2026, experimental lab systems have already hit 1.2 Tbps using THz frequencies. To translate these speeds into the field, major carriers are testing hardware that can handle the extreme propagation challenges of high-frequency bands. Per a joint announcement from NTT DOCOMO and Fujitsu in April 2024, the companies successfully demonstrated 100 Gbps transmissions across both 100 GHz and 300 GHz bands at distances of up to 100 meters, representing a 20-fold increase over top-tier 5G performance.

While hardware like PASS focuses on local efficiency, the broader ecosystem is prioritizing mobility and stability. NTT DOCOMO reported in November 2025 that the application of real-time AI to transceiver systems doubled communication speeds in outdoor 6G trials. Furthermore, in March 2025, a consortium including NEC and NTT demonstrated distributed MIMO technology designed specifically to prevent signal degradation for high-speed users on trains and in vehicles. These concurrent developments suggest a 6G architecture that combines the flexible, short-range efficiency of PASS—as detailed in the Kaiserslautern research—with AI-optimized backhaul and distributed antenna arrays to maintain the low-latency links required for next-generation immersive video.