Imagine a future where Internet connections are not only lightning-fast but also extraordinarily reliable, even in crowded spaces. This vision is rapidly approaching reality, thanks to new research into terahertz communication technologies. These innovations are poised to transform wireless communication, particularly as communications technology advances towards the next generation of networks, 6G.
I’m an engineer who focuses on photonics, the study of how light and other electromagnetic waves are generated and detected. In this research, my colleagues and I developed a topological silicon beamformer chip. Topological refers to the physical characteristics of the silicon that help direct terahertz waves, while beamformer refers to the purpose of the chip: forming terahertz waves into directed beams.
Terahertz frequencies are crucial for 6G, which telecom companies plan to roll out around 2030. The radio frequency spectrum used by current wireless networks is becoming increasingly congested. Terahertz waves offer a solution by using the relatively unoccupied portion of the electromagnetic spectrum between microwaves and infrared. These higher frequencies can carry massive amounts of data, making them ideal for the data-intensive applications of the future.
Our chip takes a terahertz signal from a single source and divides it into 54 smaller signals, which are then guided through 184 tiny channels with 134 sharp bends. Each beam can transmit and receive data at speeds between 40 and 72 gigabits per second, many times faster than today’s 5G networks.
With the help of artificial intelligence, we designed the chip to have a specific microscopic honeycomb pattern to form lanes for terahertz waves. The array of channels emits powerful, focused beams that cover all 360 degrees around the chip. This allows a phone or other wireless device anywhere around a Wi-Fi router or other communications device that uses the chip to receive the signal at high speed. We demonstrated the chip by splitting the input signal of a streaming HD video into four output beams.
Beamformer in wireless networks
Terahertz waves have a shorter range than the lower frequency signals used in 4G and 5G networks. Terahertz beamformers address this challenge by precisely directing high-frequency signals to ensure they reach their destination without loss or degradation.
Beamformers are essential for the next generation of wireless communications. Unlike traditional antennas that transmit signals indiscriminately, beamformers focus signals in specific directions, increasing both efficiency and reliability. Our chip ensures that these beams provide coverage in all directions.
This targeted approach not only extends the range of the signal but also improves its quality, even over long distances. Beamformers are likely to be crucial in managing stable connections by reducing interference as the world adds billions of connected devices.
A future with terahertz beamforming
The potential impact of terahertz beamforming chips on everyday life is profound. For example, these chips could allow you to download a 4K ultra-high definition movie in seconds compared to 11 minutes today with Wi-Fi, or support immersive virtual and augmented reality experiences without any delay.
Beyond entertainment, they could make real-time holographic communication a reality, where people appear as lifelike holograms. Smart cities could use this technology to seamlessly coordinate traffic systems and emergency responses, while healthcare could benefit from remote surgeries where doctors control robotic instruments from afar.
The terahertz beamforming chip represents a significant step forward on the path to faster and more reliable wireless communication by overcoming the challenges of high-frequency signal transmission.
Ranjan Singh, professor of electrical engineering, University of Notre Dame
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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