Scientists develop the world’s first 6G chip, capable of 100 Gbps speeds

Sixth generation, or 6G, wireless technology is one step closer to reality with news that Chinese researchers have unveiled the world’s first “all-frequency” 6G chip. The chip is capable of delivering mobile internet speeds exceeding 100 gigabits per second (Gbps) and was developed by a team led by scientists from Peking University and the City University of Hong Kong.

6G technology is the successor to 5G and promises to bring about a massive leap in how we communicate. It will offer benefits such as ultra-high-speed connectivity, ultra-low latency and AI integration that can manage and optimize networks in real-time. To achieve this, 6G networks will need to operate across a range of frequencies, from standard microwaves to much higher frequency terahertz waves. Current 5G technology utilizes a limited set of radio frequencies, similar to those used in previous generations of wireless technologies.

The new chip is no bigger than a thumbnail, measuring 11 millimeters by 1.7 millimeters. It operates across a wide frequency range, from 0.5 GHz to 115 GHz, which traditionally takes nine separate radio systems to cover this spectrum.

“Our proposed system represents a marked step towards future full-spectrum and omni-scenario wireless networks,” commented the researchers in their paper published in the journal Nature. “This enables reconfigurable full-link wireless communications with improved bandwidth, data rates and system functionality compared with previous photonic-assisted wireless demonstrations.”

One of the team’s main innovations was packing all the important parts of the wireless system into one tiny chip made of a material called thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN). Conventional systems require several separate components for each task.

The chip also employs an innovative method for generating and transmitting signals. First, a broadband electro-optic modulator converts wireless signals into optical ones, which are then passed through optoelectronic oscillators to generate the required radio frequencies. The oscillators utilize light and electricity to create stable, clean signals spanning from microwaves to terahertz waves. In tests, the system achieved 6 GHz frequency tuning in 180 microseconds, much faster than current technology.

When is 6G coming?

While the development of a single all-frequency chip is a significant breakthrough, the technology is still in its early stages of development. Many experts expect that commercial 6G networks will begin to roll out around 2030.

Before then, a lot of work needs to be done on building the necessary infrastructure and creating compatible devices. However, when ultra-fast connectivity arrives, it will enable a new wave of services and innovations that could fundamentally change how we use the internet, power smart cities, and, according to some scientists, nearly every aspect of our lives.

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