A group of British scientists from the University College of London, led by Zhisin Liu, has successfully achieved an incredible data transmission speed of 938 gigabits per second. This achievement surpassed the average capabilities of modern 5G networks by 9000 times.
The technology developed by the researchers enables the uploading of more than 20 full-length films every second. They set a new record for multiplex data by combining various signals into a single stream.
The breakthrough involved a wide range of frequencies ranging from 5 to 150 gigahertz, incorporating both radio waves and light radiation to significantly enhance data transmission channels. This integration of electronic and optoelectronic methods eliminated previous synchronization issues.
This experiment initially aimed to assess the potential capabilities of future 6G networks. Liu compared the enhancement to transforming a narrow, congested road into a ten-lane highway when comparing modern 5G networks to their new technology.
The team developed a hybrid signal generation system utilizing high-speed digital analog converters for frequencies between 5-75 GHz, and mixing optically modified signals with frequency-stabilized lasers in photodiodes for millimeter-range frequencies in the W-band (75-110 GHz) and D-band (110-150 GHz).
By synchronizing pairs of lasers with a narrow radiation line relative to a quartz oscillator, phase noises were reduced, allowing for efficient utilization of the full frequency range. Using the OFDM format and bit loading, researchers achieved a data speed of 938 Gb/s with minimal intervals between different ranges.
While the record set pertains to multiplex data, individual signals were capable of even faster transmission speeds, exceeding one terabit per second.
Liu’s team is currently in discussions with smartphone manufacturers and communication operators for the practical application of the technology. In parallel, Japanese telecommunication companies have unveiled their own device for 6G networks, offering data transmission speeds 20 times faster than 5G, reaching 100 Gbit/s within a 100-meter range.
This new technology holds particular significance for the development of the next generation Radio Access Networks (RAN), requiring super-high data speeds of over 100 Gbit/s between base stations for connecting access points and communication units.