A team from University College London (UCL) has achieved a groundbreaking data transfer speed, reaching nearly one terabit per second (Tbps) over a wireless connection. This record-breaking development has the potential to revolutionize wireless communication, paving the way for faster, more reliable connections in the future. To put this into perspective, the UCL team achieved a data transfer rate that is thousands of times faster than the typical speeds available over 5G networks in the UK.
The researchers were able to accomplish this by using an ultra-wideband transmission that covers a wide range of frequencies, from 5GHz to 150GHz. They combined two cutting-edge technologies: electronic-assisted signal generation and photonic-assisted signal generation. The result was a lightning-fast data transmission speed of 938 gigabits per second (Gbps). For comparison, most 5G networks today provide average speeds of around 100 megabits per second (Mbps), making the UCL team’s achievement 9,380 times faster than the average 5G speed.
Most traditional wireless networks use radio frequencies below 6GHz, which are now overcrowded with signals from various devices and services. This congestion creates interference and slows down communication. The UCL team found a solution to this problem by using both radio frequencies and optical technologies. By doing so, they were able to overcome the limitations of traditional wireless networks, significantly boosting both speed and stability.
The researchers achieved this by combining advanced electronics and photonics technology. Electronics performed well in the 5-50GHz range, while photonics, which uses light to generate radio waves, worked in the 50-150GHz range. Together, they achieved a total bandwidth five times higher than previous wireless records. The speed they reached allowed them to transfer a 14GB UltraHD movie in just 0.12 seconds. To give you an idea of the improvement, downloading the same movie would take around 19 minutes on a typical 100 Mbps 5G connection.
Although this new technology has only been demonstrated in a lab, the UCL team is already working on a prototype to test in real-world environments. If successful, the technology could be ready for commercial use in three to five years. The researchers are optimistic that it could greatly improve wireless connections, especially for mobile networks. Faster, more stable connections would be particularly beneficial in densely populated areas, where demand for high-speed data is high.
This breakthrough could also help close the gap between ultra-fast fiber optic cables and "last-mile" devices, such as smartphones and Wi-Fi clients. It holds promise not only for improving 5G networks but also for laying the groundwork for even faster 6G technology.