Terahertz communication is emerging as a future technology to support Terabits per second link with highlighting features as high throughput and negligible latency. However, the unique features of the Terahertz band such as high path loss, scattering, and reflection pose new challenges and results in short communication distance. The antenna directionality, in turn, is required to enhance the communication distance and to overcome the high path loss. However, these features in combine negate the use of traditional medium access protocols (MAC). Therefore, novel MAC protocol designs are required to fully exploit their potential benefits including efficient channel access, control message exchange, link establishment, mobility management, and line-of-sight blockage mitigation. An in-depth survey of Terahertz MAC protocols is presented in this paper. The paper highlights the key features of the Terahertz band which should be considered while designing an efficient Terahertz MAC protocol, and the decisions which if taken at Terahertz MAC layer can enhance the network performance. Different Terahertz applications at macro and nano scales are highlighted with design requirements for their MAC protocols. The MAC protocol design issues and considerations are highlighted. Further, the existing MAC protocols are also classified based on network topology, channel access mechanisms, and link establishment strategies as Transmitter and Receiver initiated communication. Open challenges and future research directions on Terahertz MAC protocols are also highlighted.

中文翻译：

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太赫兹通信的 MAC 协议：综合调查

太赫兹通信正在成为支持每秒太比特链接的未来技术，其突出特点是高吞吐量和可忽略的延迟。然而，太赫兹频段的高路径损耗、散射和反射等独特特性带来了新的挑战，导致通信距离短。反过来，需要天线方向性来增加通信距离并克服高路径损耗。然而，这些特性结合起来否定了传统媒体访问协议 (MAC) 的使用。因此，需要新颖的 MAC 协议设计来充分利用其潜在优势，包括高效的信道接入、控制消息交换、链路建立、移动性管理和视线阻塞缓解。本文介绍了对太赫兹 MAC 协议的深入调查。本文重点介绍了在设计高效的太赫兹 MAC 协议时应考虑的太赫兹频段的关键特性，以及在太赫兹 MAC 层做出的决策可以提高网络性能。宏和纳米尺度的不同太赫兹应用突出显示了其 MAC 协议的设计要求。强调了 MAC 协议设计问题和注意事项。此外，现有的MAC协议还根据网络拓扑、信道访问机制和链路建立策略分为发射器和接收器发起的通信。还强调了太赫兹 MAC 协议的开放挑战和未来研究方向。如果在太赫兹 MAC 层做出的决定可以提高网络性能。宏和纳米尺度的不同太赫兹应用突出显示了其 MAC 协议的设计要求。强调了 MAC 协议设计问题和注意事项。此外，现有的MAC协议还根据网络拓扑、信道访问机制和链路建立策略分为发射器和接收器发起的通信。还强调了太赫兹 MAC 协议的开放挑战和未来研究方向。如果在太赫兹 MAC 层做出的决定可以提高网络性能。宏和纳米尺度的不同太赫兹应用突出显示了其 MAC 协议的设计要求。强调了 MAC 协议设计问题和注意事项。此外，现有的MAC协议还根据网络拓扑、信道访问机制和链路建立策略分为发射器和接收器发起的通信。还强调了太赫兹 MAC 协议的开放挑战和未来研究方向。此外，现有的MAC协议还根据网络拓扑、信道访问机制和链路建立策略分为发射器和接收器发起的通信。还强调了太赫兹 MAC 协议的开放挑战和未来研究方向。此外，现有的MAC协议还根据网络拓扑、信道访问机制和链路建立策略分为发射器和接收器发起的通信。还强调了太赫兹 MAC 协议的开放挑战和未来研究方向。