A group of British researchers has combined two existing wireless technologies to set a record for wireless data transmission at 938 gigabits per second (Gbps).
Scientists have successfully transmitted data through the air at speeds of up to 938 gigabits per second (Gbps), establishing a new record for wireless transmission speed. This new record is very close to one terabit per second (Tbps), which is equivalent to downloading a 30 gigabyte 4K Ultra HD movie in just 0.26 seconds. In comparison, downloading the same movie would take about 17 to 29 minutes on a typical 5G connection in the United States, which operates at speeds ranging from 140 to 230 megabits per second (Mbps). In the UK, the average 5G speed is around 100 Mbps, meaning the data transmission speed achieved by the research team is 9,380 times faster.
Simulation of wireless data transmission in the city. (Photo: Depositphotos).
The scientists achieved this new record by combining radio and optical technologies for the first time, allowing them to utilize radio frequency (RF) waves up to 150 gigahertz (GHz). They detailed their method in a study published on October 15 in the journal Lightwave Technology.
Most 5G connections transmit data at narrow frequencies below 6 GHz. However, these bands are highly congested, meaning speeds are often much lower than the theoretical maximum of 20 Gbps for 5G networks. Future 6G transmission speeds are likely to use higher frequencies than the narrow 5G bands, allowing communication networks to tap into significantly higher speeds. These bands include “mid and high bands” from 7 to 24 GHz, along with “sub-terahertz frequencies” ranging from 90 to 300 GHz, according to the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSA).
“Current wireless communication systems are struggling to meet the increasing demand for high-speed data access,” said lead researcher Zhixin Liu, a professor of electrical engineering at University College London (UCL). “Our solution is to utilize more available frequencies to increase bandwidth while maintaining high signal quality and providing flexibility in accessing different frequency sources. The result is a super-fast and reliable wireless network that overcomes the speed limitations between end users and the Internet.”
The new method combines two available wireless technologies: high-speed electronics and millimeter-wave optics. 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 bands that could be utilized in future systems like 6G. The research team combined digital to analog signal transmitters operating in the 5 – 75 GHz range with light-based radio signal transmitters, enabling data transfer across multiple frequencies between 75 and 150 GHz. The total bandwidth of 145 GHz is five times greater than the system used to achieve the previous world record for wireless transmission.
This hybrid technology could be used to transmit wireless signals from towers in densely populated areas, allowing people to access high speeds on mobile devices. It also enables multiple users to utilize the wireless network at events like large concerts without experiencing network congestion or slow speeds. The scientists have only tested the system in the laboratory, but they plan to produce a prototype for commercial use. If successful, they hope to integrate the new technology into commercial devices within the next five years.
