Technologies for the sixth mobile generation

While networks are being built with the new 5G mobile standard, researchers are already working on the next generation. 6G should be even faster and enable the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

While the 5G wireless standard is just being introduced, researchers are already working on technologies for the next generation of wireless data transmission. " 6G " is still significantly higher transmission rates, shorter delay times, a greater density of devices and the integration of artificial intelligence allow . There are many challenges to be mastered on the way to the sixth mobile generation, both in terms of the individual components and their interaction.

Thus, the wireless networks of the future will consist of a large number of small mobile radio cells within which large amounts of data can be transmitted quickly and in an energy-efficient manner. To network these cells, radio links are needed that can transmit tens or even hundreds of gigabits per second on a single channel. For this purpose, frequencies in the terahertz range , which lie in the electromagnetic spectrum between the microwaves and the infrared radiation. Another task is to seamlessly connect wireless links to fiber-optic networks to bring the benefits of both technologies together - high capacity and reliability with mobility and flexibility.

First steps

Scientists have already developed a promising approach for converting the data streams from terahertz transfer to optical transfer. The institutes for Photonics and Quantum Electronics (IPQ), Microstructure Technology (IMT) as well as Radio Frequency Engineering and Electronics (IHE) of KIT and the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid State Physics IAF in Freiburg were involved in the development. The researchers used ultrafast electro-optic modulators to convert a terahertz data signal directly into an optical signal. In this way, they could couple the receiver antenna directly to a fiber optic. In their experiment, the scientists use a carrier frequency of about 0.29 THz and achieve a transmission rate of 50 Gbit / s. "The modulator is based on aplasmonic nanostructure and has a bandwidth of more than 0.36 terahertz, "explains Professor Christian Koos, head of IPQ and a member of IMT's collegial leadership." The results demonstrate the tremendous potential of nanophotonic devices for ultrafast signal processing. "The researchers said demonstrated concept can drastically reduce the technical complexity of future mobile phone base stations and enable terahertz connections with enormously high data rates - conceivable are several hundred gigabits per second.

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