Record wireless data transmission of nearly 1 terabit/second

Scientists transmitted data over the air at speeds of up to 938 gigabits per second (Gbps), setting a new record for wireless transmission speeds. The new record is very close to one terabit per second (Tbps), equivalent to downloading a 30 gigabyte (GB) 4K Ultra HD movie in 0.26 seconds. By comparison, the download process will take about 17 – 29 minutes using a typical 5G connection in the US, which has speeds between 140 and 230 megabits per second (Mbps). In the UK, the average 5G speed is about 100 Mbps, meaning the data transmission speed the research team achieved is 9,380 times faster.

Scientists achieved the new record by combining radio and optical technology for the first time, allowing them to use radio frequency (RF) wavelengths of up to 150 gigahertz (GHz). They describe their method in research published October 15 in the journal Lightwave Technology.

The majority of 5G connections transmit data at narrow frequencies below 6 GHz. But these bands are highly congested, meaning speeds are often much slower than 5G’s theoretical maximum speed of 20 Gbps. But future 6G transmission speeds are likely to have higher frequencies than narrow 5G bands, helping communication networks exploit much higher speeds. These bands include “mid- and high-band” frequencies from 7 to 24 GHz, along with “near-terahertz frequencies” from 90 to 300 GHz, according to the Global Mobile Supplier Association (GSA).

“Current wireless communication systems are struggling to meet the growing demand for high-speed data access,” said study author Zhixin Liu, professor of electrical engineering at University College London (UCL). in the UK, said. “Our solution is to use more available frequencies to increase bandwidth, while maintaining high signal quality and providing flexibility in accessing different frequency sources. The result is a network Ultra-fast and reliable wireless technology, overcoming speed limitations between the end user and the Internet.”

The new method combines for the first time two existing wireless technologies: high-speed electronics and millimeter-wave photonics. The latter technology uses light to generate millimeter wave radio frequency signals. This hybrid system allows for the wireless transmission of large amounts of data over a frequency band that can be used in future systems such as 6G. The research team combined a digital-to-continuous signal generator, operating in the 5 – 75 GHz range, with a light-based radio signal generator, allowing data to be transmitted over a range of frequencies between 75 and 150 GHz. GHz. The total bandwidth of 145 GHz is five times that of the system used to achieve the previous world record for wireless transmission.

This hybrid technology can be used to transmit wireless signals from towers in densely populated areas so that people can enjoy high speeds from mobile phones. It also allows more people to use the wireless network in places like large concerts without network congestion or slow speeds. Scientists have only tested the system in the lab, but they plan to produce a prototype that could be used in a commercial setting. If successful, they hope to be able to integrate the new technology on commercial devices within the next five years.