Future mobile network: Small radio cells (orange) are connected by wireless high-speed terahertz links (green). (Figure: IPQ, KIT / Nature Photonics)
Future wireless networks of the 6th generation (6G) will consist of a multitude of small radio cells that need to be connected by broadband communication links.
In this context, wireless transmission at THz frequencies represents a particularly attractive and flexible solution. Researchers at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) have now developed a novel concept for low-cost terahertz receivers that consist of a single diode in combination with a dedicated signal processing technique. In a proof-of-concept experiment, the team demonstrated transmission at a data rate of 115 Gbit/s and a carrier frequency of 0.3 THz over a distance of 110 meters. The results are reported in Nature Photonics (DOI: 10.1038/s41566-020-0675-0).
5G will be followed by 6G: The 6th generation of mobile communications promises even higher data rates, shorter latency, and strongly increased densities of terminal devices, while exploiting Artificial Intelligence (AI) to control devices or autonomous vehicles in the Internet-of-Things era. “To simultaneously serve as many users as possible and to transmit data at utmost speed, future wireless networks will consist of a large number of small radio cells,” explains Professor Christian Koos, who works on 6G technologies at KIT together with his colleague Professor Sebastian Randel. In these radio cells, distances are short such that high data rates can be transmitted with minimum energy consumption and low electromagnetic immission. The associated base stations will be compact and can easily be mounted to building facades or street lights.
To form a powerful and flexible network, these base stations need to be connected by high-speed wireless links that offer data rates of tens or even hundreds of gigabits per second (Gbit/s). This may be accomplished by terahertz carrier waves, which occupy the frequency range between microwaves and infrared light waves. However, terahertz receivers are still rather complex and expensive and often represent the bandwidth bottleneck of the entire link. In cooperation with Virginia Diodes (VDI) in Charlottesville, USA, researchers of KIT’s Institute of Photonics and Quantum Electronics (IPQ), Institute of Microstructure Technology (IMT), and Institute for Beam Physics and Technology (IBPT) have now demonstrated a particularly simple inexpensive receiver for terahertz signals. The concept is presented in Nature Photonics.
Highest Data Rate Demonstrated So Far for Wireless THz Communications over More Than 100 Meters
“At its core, the receiver consists a single diode, which rectifies the terahertz signal,” says Dr. Tobias Harter, who carried out the demonstration together with his colleague Christoph Füllner in the framework of his doctoral thesis. The diode is a so-called Schottky barrier diode, that offers large bandwidth and that is used as an envelope detector to recover the amplitude of the terahertz signal. Correct decoding of the data, however, additionally requires the time-dependent phase of the terahertz wave that is usually lost during rectification. To overcome this problem, researchers use digital signal processing techniques in combination with a special class of data signals, for which the phase can be reconstructed from the amplitude via the so-called Kramers-Kronig relations. The Kramers-Kronig relation describe a mathematical relationship between the real part and the imaginary part of an analytic signal. Using their receiver concept, the scientists achieved a transmission rate of 115 Gbit/s at a carrier frequency of 0.3 THz over a distance of 110 m. “This is the highest data rate so far demonstrated for wireless terahertz transmission over more than 100 m,” Füllner says. The terahertz receiver developed by KIT stands out due to its technical simplicity and lends itself to cost-efficient mass production.
The Latest Updates from Bing News & Google News
Go deeper with Bing News on:
6G wireless
- KT, Nokia to collaborate on 6G technology
KT and Nokia have agreed to partner on the research and development of 6G technology, expected to see commercialization in 2030.
- KT to join hands with Nokia for 6G research
KT Corp., a major South Korean mobile carrier, said Wednesday it has joined hands with Finnish telecommunications firm Nokia for sixth-generation (6G) communications network research. The two ...
- What’s next for test and measurement?—NTN, 5G-Advanced, 6G
The importance of test and measurement is in focus given the outlook for rapidly increasing network complexity.
- Japan Makes History with World’s First 6G Device: Speeds Hit 100 Gbps
Discover Japan's groundbreaking achievement: the world's first 6G device with speeds up to 100 Gbps. Read more about it!
- The World Has Its First 6G Device And It’s 20x As Fast As 5G
We haven't even witnessed the proper launch of 5.5G yet, and now 6G is already in the earliest stages of development.
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
6G wireless
[google_news title=”” keyword=”6G wireless” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Terahertz receiver
- Scientists could make blazing-fast 6G using curving light rays
Researchers have discovered a way to curve data-carrying terahertz signals around obstacles, paving the way for ultrafast 6G.
- Former Georgia Wide Receiver Announces Transfer Destination
The spring transfer portal window is now at play and Georgia is feeling the effects of it. Wide receiver Tyler Williams was one of several players to hit the spring portal and he has now announced ...
- Two Vintage-Audio Professionals Pick Their Go-To Stereo Receivers
If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more You can’t doubt the appeal of vintage audio equipment, especially stereo receivers. With their giant metal knobs, faux-wood paneling and ...
- Steelers’ George Pickens Named Among Receivers Needing Most Draft Help
He put together a monster second season in the league. Unfortunately, the team’s wide receiver situation isn’t great once you get past him. It seems that has made him one of the receivers most ...
- Vikings draft preview: With elite receiving corps in place, will they add more targets?
Today: Wide receivers. There are few, if any, teams with better long-term duos at receiver than the Vikings' pairing of Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Receiver K.J. Osborn left for more ...
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Terahertz receiver
[google_news title=”” keyword=”terahertz receiver” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]