- Researchers in China have achieved a record speed of 938 Gbps in wireless data transmission
- This speed allows you to download almost 20 movies per second
- In addition, it surpasses the speed of current 5G networks by more than 9000 times
A research team led by Zhixin Liu at University College London achieved an incredible data transfer rate of 938 gigabits per second (Gbps). This speed beats current average 5G speeds by more than 9,000 times. To give you an idea, at this speed you can download more than 20 movies in one second. This new standard for multiplexing data, i.e. the combination of several signals into one channel, marks a major step towards the future of wireless communication.
How is such a fast transfer possible?
The key to achieving this extraordinary speed was the use of a wider spectrum of frequencies than had previously been used. Liu and his team used a frequency band from 5 gigahertz (GHz) to 150 GHz, combining radio waves with optical signals. This experiment, which aimed to determine the potential speed for future 6G networks, was able to use the entire frequency range from the sub-6 GHz band to the D-band millimeter wave band (up to 170 GHz), which is still difficult for conventional electronic technologies to handle .
What use will the 6G network have when we have 5G?
The new 6G network, as already emerged from the text above, will be significantly faster than the 5G network, but that’s not all. While 5G reduces latency to around 1ms, 6G aims to reduce latency to the level of microseconds. This is crucial for applications where real-time processing is critical, such as autonomous vehicles. In addition, we must not forget that 6G will support a significantly larger number of devices per unit area, up to 10 million per km2, while 5G can only handle 1 million devices per km2.
Data transfer (illustrative image)
The new generation of radio access networks (RANs) requires data transfer rates of more than 100 Gbps to connect access points and nodes. This motivates research to fully exploit the wireless spectrum, including sub-6 GHz up to the millimeter wave band (for example, D-band up to 170 GHz), using both electronic and optoelectronic approaches. At the same time, however, the synchronization of broadband signals on different carrier frequencies remains a challenge. In this regard, Liu’s team focused on combining high-speed electronic technologies with microwave photonics, which allowed them to achieve wireless transmission of OFDM signals with a bandwidth of 145 GHz ranging from 5 to 150 GHz.
Record speed of 938 Gbps, 9000 times faster than 5G
As part of the experiment, signals in the range of 5–75 GHz were generated using high-speed digital-to-analog converters. These converters, also referred to as DACs (digital to analog converters), are devices that convert digital data into analog form, a form suitable for wireless transmission. Digital signals are usually binary, i.e. represented by sequences of zeros and ones, while analog signals can have an infinite number of values. This conversion is necessary because the transmitted signal must be transferable in the form of waves, for example radio waves, and not as purely digital data.
To generate signals in the range above 75 GHz, i.e. in the so-called millimeter band, the team used a different method involving the use of W-band (75-110 GHz) and D-band (110-150 GHz). The millimeter band (mmWave) is characterized by a short wavelength (from a few millimeters to less than one millimeter) and a high frequency, which enables the transmission of extremely large amounts of data over short distances. In the W and D bands, the signal is able to transmit data much faster than possible at lower frequencies, but is also more sensitive to obstacles such as buildings or even moisture in the air.
Can the 6G network perfectly and quickly connect all devices? (illustrative image)
In this experiment, high-frequency signals in the millimeter band were generated by a combination of optical and electronic technologies. Specifically, the process of combining optically modulated signals with frequency-synchronized lasers on photodiodes was used. Photodiodes are semiconductor devices that convert light (photons) into electrical current, and at high enough speeds can produce signals at frequencies up to the terahertz spectrum. During this process, the laser beam is modulated, i.e. enriched with information carried by data, and this information is subsequently converted into an electromagnetic signal by a photodiode. The advantage of this combination is the ability to generate high-frequency signals that electronic components alone would not be able to achieve.
Another key aspect of this experiment was the frequency synchronization of the lasers, which was ensured by the use of two pairs of narrow-spectrum lasers and a reference quartz oscillator. The researchers used the OFDM format to transmit data. OFDM is a technology that enables data transmission by dividing the signal into several frequency-separated channels. In this way, the data transmission is broken down into several smaller signals, which are then transmitted simultaneously. Using exactly this procedure, the scientists managed to achieve a record transfer speed of 938 Gbps.
Thanks to 6G technology, we will be able to download up to 20 movies in just one second (illustrative image)
It should be mentioned that this speed of 938 Gbps represents the highest value achieved for multiplexed data, which means that the data has been divided into multiple streams (signals) and transmitted in parallel. But research has shown that even higher speeds can be achieved for individual signals, namely over 1 terabit per second (Tbps). As Liu put it, distributing signals across a wide frequency spectrum can be likened to turning a “narrow, congested road” in 5G networks into a “ten-lane highway.” Just as transportation requires wider roads to accommodate more cars, wireless communication requires a wider spectrum for more signals.
Liu’s team is already in talks with smartphone makers and network providers, believing their work will lay the groundwork for future 6G technologies, although other competing approaches are being developed at the same time. Recently, for example, a group of Japanese telecommunications companies developed a high-speed wireless 6G device that is capable of transmitting data at speeds up to 20 times faster than 5G. This device enables data transmission at a speed of 100 Gbps over a distance of up to 100 meters.
Author of the article
Josef Novak
Unbelievable Wireless Speed: 6G Breaks the Sound Barrier of Data!
Well, well, well! If you’ve ever thought that your internet connection was a bit slow—like trying to stream while your neighbor is vacuuming—then brace yourself for what the boffins at University College London have cooked up. Researchers in China, led by the high-speed maestro Zhixin Liu, have achieved a record-breaking speed of 938 Gbps in wireless data transmission. Yes, that’s right—no more “buffering” as you try to watch cat videos on repeat. We’re talking about downloading almost 20 movies per second. You could throw a party, watch the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy, and still have time to wonder why you did it!
How is This Rocketing Speed Possible?
Now, you might be wondering: “How on Earth do they do that? Did they get a hold of Elon Musk’s secret stash of space-speed?” Not quite. This feat is achieved by harnessing a wider spectrum of frequencies. Liu and his motley crew of genius researchers decided to crank it up from the lowly 5 GHz to a whopping 150 GHz. That’s like upgrading from a bicycle to a Ferrari, and they did it by combining radio waves with fancy optical signals. Honestly, it’s like merging Tinder with NASA—high-speed dating, anyone?
What Will 6G Offer Us that 5G Can’t?
The 6G network is not just a speed freak; it’s here to reduce latency to the level of microseconds. So when you accidentally step on your cat’s tail, that autonomous vehicle could react faster than you can say “I’m sorry!” Imagine sending a text, and it arrives before you even type it! Moreover, while 5G can handle around 1 million devices per km², 6G is strutting in, capable of managing a staggering 10 million devices per km². It’s like packing a dozen clowns in a VW Bug—everyone gets a seat!
The Technical Sorcery Behind It
When you combine optical and electronic technologies, what you’re left with is pure magic—well, almost. Liu’s team synched high-frequency signals in the millimeter band using, wait for it, lasers! Yes, my friends; we’re finally approaching a point where we can all feel like Jedi. They accomplished this by modulating laser beams that turned into electromagnetic signals while playing hide-and-seek with high-speed digital-to-analog converters.
The technique they used, known as OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing), is not just for impressing nerds at parties. It allows massive data transmission by boring a signal into multiple frequency-separated channels. In layman’s terms, it’s like turning a single running track into a full-on cross-country marathon. Your data couldn’t have more lanes if it tried!
The Implications of 6G—Faster than a Speeding Bullet!
Now let’s be honest; a record transfer speed of 938 Gbps is a monumental leap in multiplexed data. But hold your horses—higher speeds of over 1 Tbps are already on the horizon! In Liu’s words, think of shifting from a “narrow, congested road” like the current 5G network to a “ten-lane highway.” This means that wireless communications will drive smoother than ever before—goodbye, road rage!
Of course, the competition is already heating up. We’ve got Japanese telecommunications researchers claiming they’ve developed a high-speed device transmitting at speeds up to 20 times faster than 5G. This device now promises data transfer at a blazingly fast 100 Gbps over a modest distance of 100 meters. It’s like a race between sports cars, folks—except this time, we’re betting on the one that can not only drive but also fly!
Wrapping Up—The Future is Wireless!
So what does all this mean for the ordinary Joe sitting at home, scrolling endlessly on social media? Well, folks, get ready for a reality where everything is interlinked more intricately than a soap opera plot twist. Whether it’s smart homes, fully autonomous cars, or even your fridge ordering more milk as it senses your cereal stock dwindling—we’re staring down the future of flawless connectivity. Author Josef Novak put it best when he said that Liu’s team’s work will lay the groundwork for future 6G technologies. Well, let’s buckle up—this wifi ride is about to take off!
- Researchers in China have achieved a groundbreaking wireless data transmission speed of 938 Gbps.
- This astonishing speed translates to the ability to download nearly 20 full-length movies each second.
- Remarkably, this speed surpasses the capabilities of current 5G networks by an astounding factor of more than 9,000.
A research team led by Zhixin Liu at University College London has set a new benchmark in wireless communication by achieving an extraordinary data transfer rate of 938 gigabits per second (Gbps). This phenomenal speed eclipses the average transmission rates of existing 5G networks by over 9,000 times. To put this into perspective, at this velocity, a user could theoretically download more than 20 movies within a single second, revolutionizing media consumption. The innovative standard for multiplexing data—combining multiple signals into one channel—represents a significant leap toward the future of wireless communication.
How is such a fast transfer possible?
The astonishing speed was made possible through the utilization of a broader spectrum of frequencies than had previously been employed. Liu and his team harnessed a frequency range spanning from 5 gigahertz (GHz) to 150 GHz, ingeniously blending radio waves with optical signals. This groundbreaking experiment, aimed at exploring the speed potential for upcoming 6G networks, successfully utilized the entire frequency spectrum, from the sub-6 GHz band all the way to the D-band millimeter wave spectrum (up to 170 GHz). This represents a technological feat that conventional electronic systems have struggled to manage effectively.
What use will the 6G network have when we have 5G?
While the new 6G network will undoubtedly be significantly faster than its 5G predecessor, the advancements do not stop there. Notably, whereas 5G seeks to reduce latency to around 1 millisecond, 6G aims to achieve microsecond-level latency. This enhanced responsiveness is vital for numerous applications where real-time processing is imperative, such as those used in autonomous vehicles. Furthermore, it is essential to recognize that 6G will accommodate a staggering increase in the number of devices per unit area—up to 10 million devices per square kilometer, compared to only 1 million devices per square kilometer with 5G.
The new generation of radio access networks (RANs) necessitates data transfer rates exceeding 100 Gbps to effectively connect access points and network nodes. This demand propels ongoing research directed toward maximizing the wireless spectrum, including both sub-6 GHz and millimeter wave bands (such as the D-band, which reaches up to 170 GHz), employing a combination of electronic and optoelectronic methodologies. However, synchronizing broadband signals across different carrier frequencies remains a complex challenge. In this context, Liu’s research team concentrated on merging high-speed electronic technologies with microwave photonics, successfully achieving wireless transmission of OFDM signals that boast an impressive bandwidth of 145 GHz across the 5 to 150 GHz range.
Record speed of 938 Gbps, 9000 times faster than 5G
During their experimental procedures, high-speed digital-to-analog converters were utilized to generate signals within the 5–75 GHz range. These converters, also known as DACs, function to transform digital data into an analog format suitable for wireless transmission. This conversion process is crucial, as digital signals, typically binary, must be translated into waveforms—such as radio waves—to facilitate effective transmission. For frequencies exceeding 75 GHz, which fall into the millimeter band, the team adopted an alternative methodology utilizing the W-band (75-110 GHz) and D-band (110-150 GHz). This millimeter wave band is characterized by short wavelengths and high frequencies, enabling the rapid transfer of massive amounts of data over short distances. However, signals in these bands are also more susceptible to obstructions, such as buildings and atmospheric moisture.
In this groundbreaking experiment, high-frequency signals in the millimeter band were produced through a combination of advanced optical and electronic technologies. Specifically, the method involved modulating optically generated signals in conjunction with frequency-synchronized lasers on photodiodes. Photodiodes convert light (photons) into electrical currents, facilitating the generation of signals at frequencies reaching into the terahertz spectrum. During this innovative process, the laser beam is meticulously modulated with informational data, subsequently converted into an electromagnetic signal by the photodiode. This powerful combination allows for the creation of high-frequency signals that conventional electronic components cannot produce alone.
Another critical aspect of the experiment involved precisely synchronizing the laser frequencies, which was accomplished through the employment of two pairs of narrow-spectrum lasers paired with a reference quartz oscillator. The team effectively utilized OFDM technology to transmit the data, a method that segments the signal into several channels, each separated by frequency. By employing this intricate process, the scientists successfully achieved a remarkable data transfer speed of 938 Gbps.
It is noteworthy that the astounding speed of 938 Gbps signifies the highest value attained for multiplexed data, indicating that the data had been segmented into multiple parallel streams (signals). However, research indicates that considerably higher speeds could be possible for individual signals, exceeding 1 terabit per second (Tbps). Liu likened the process of distributing signals across an expansive frequency spectrum to transforming a “narrow, congested road” characteristic of 5G networks into a “ten-lane highway.” Just as significant transportation improvements necessitate larger roadways to accommodate increased vehicle traffic, advancing wireless communication requires an expanded frequency spectrum capable of supporting numerous simultaneous signals.
Liu’s team is engaged in discussions with smartphone manufacturers and network providers, anticipating that their pioneering work will serve as a foundation for the development of future 6G technologies, even as various competing methodologies are simultaneously being explored. Recently, a consortium of Japanese telecommunications companies unveiled a cutting-edge high-speed wireless 6G device capable of transmitting data at speeds 20 times faster than 5G. This impressive device enables data transfers at a speed of 100 Gbps over distances of up to 100 meters.