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Researchers at University College London have achieved a groundbreaking milestone in wireless data transmission, reaching speeds of 938 gigabits per second (Gbps)—more than 9,000 times faster than current average 5G connections. This astonishing speed sets a new benchmark for multiplex data transmission, which combines multiple signals simultaneously.
Led by Zhixin Liu, the team utilized a broader spectrum of frequencies than ever before, operating across a range from 5 gigahertz to 150 gigahertz. This ambitious experiment aims to evaluate the potential speeds that 6G technology could achieve in the near future. The next-generation radio access network (RAN) is expected to require high-speed wireless connections exceeding 100 Gbps to effectively link access points and hubs.
According to Interesting Engineering, the researchers demonstrated an ultra-wide 145 GHz bandwidth wireless transmission of orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) signals over a 5–150 GHz frequency range. This was made possible by integrating high-speed electronics and microwave photonics technologies. Specifically, signals between 5–75 GHz were generated using high-speed digital-to-analog converters, while higher frequency signals (W-band and D-band) were created by mixing optically modulated signals with frequency-locked lasers on high-speed photodiodes.
By leveraging advanced techniques to stabilize carrier frequencies and minimize phase noise, the researchers maximized spectrum efficiency. Liu likened this approach to transforming current 5G networks from “narrow, congested roads” into “10-lane highways,” allowing for greater data flow.
As Liu’s team engages with smartphone manufacturers and network providers, they remain optimistic that their innovations will lay the groundwork for future 6G technology. Competing developments, such as those by a group of Japanese firms, aim to achieve similarly high speeds, indicating a competitive race toward realizing the next generation of wireless communication.
