This post is also available in:
עברית (Hebrew)
In a groundbreaking achievement, Chinese researchers have successfully transmitted high-definition video signals over a distance of 1.2 kilometers using terahertz wireless communication technology. This milestone represents the longest terahertz wireless transmission experiment to date in the frequency range above 0.5THz, marking a significant step forward in next-generation communication systems.
Conducted over the course of five days at a submillimeter-wave astronomical observation base over 4,000 meters above sea level, this experiment capitalized on ideal conditions for terahertz research. Notably, it utilized superconducting terahertz receivers, a first in long-distance wireless communication, promising significant implications for the development of 6G technology.
Terahertz waves, situated between microwaves and optical infrared frequencies, possess wavelengths ranging from 3,000 to 30 micrometers. This technology offers a vastly wider bandwidth compared to current systems, enabling much faster data transfer speeds. As Li Jing from the Purple Mountain Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) explained, “If we see microwave communication as a two-lane road, then terahertz communication expands that road to six or eight lanes.”
Yet, long-distance transmission has faced challenges, primarily due to severe signal attenuation. To tackle this, the research team employed a superconducting receiver that is incredibly sensitive, capable of detecting very weak terahertz signals transmitted at a remarkably low power of just 10 microwatts. Despite this, the researchers achieved successful high-definition video transmission, demonstrating minimal energy loss and extended transmission capabilities.
The potential applications for terahertz technology are vast, particularly in real-time video streaming, high-capacity data transfer, and even communication with spacecraft. This breakthrough lays a critical technical foundation for future space and air-to-ground terahertz communication systems, according to Interesting Engineering and SCMP. However, challenges remain, such as reducing the size and production costs of terahertz devices, before this revolutionary technology can be widely implemented.
As researchers continue to innovate in this promising field, the future of high-speed wireless communication appears increasingly bright.
