Wireless communication technology is rapidly advancing, but even 5G struggles to meet the demands of modern applications like virtual reality (VR), telemedicine, and autonomous vehicles. We're all waiting for the debut of 6G.

New technologies require ultra-fast speeds, minimal latency, and reliable connections that current networks cannot easily deliver. Looking for solutions, researchers are turning to the sub-terahertz frequency range, which offers vast bandwidth for high-speed wireless communication.

A Small but Powerful Front-End

NTT has developed a small but powerful new design of wireless component that operates at 300 GHz and can transmit data at an incredibly fast 160Gbps. This component, known as a front-end (FE), is the part of a wireless device that sends and receives radio signals. It acts like an antenna system that picks up signals from the air and prepares them for processing, or takes processed signals and transmits them wirelessly. Traditional FE designs use separate parts like amplifiers and mixers, making devices large and inefficient.

NTT, however, has combined these parts into a single chip using advanced semiconductor technology (specifically, an indium-phosphide high electron mobility transistor—InP-HEMT). This makes the front-end much smaller—shrinking it from 15 cm to just 2.8 cm—while also increasing speed and efficiency.

LO Leakage Causing Interference

A local oscillator (LO) is a circuit that generates a stable frequency signal to help shift radio signals to different frequencies for easy processing. One of the biggest technical challenges when working with sub-terahertz frequencies is LO leakage, which occurs during frequency conversion, introducing unwanted interference that can degrade signal quality. Conventional systems use external filters to deal with the issue, but that's impractical for compact, high-frequency designs.

... Until Now!

NTT solved the problem by using a special circuit design that cancels out LO leakage with phase interference. Phase interference is when two signals overlap, either making the signal stronger or canceling it out, which can be used to remove unwanted noise in wireless communication. This keeps signals clean while allowing the front-end to stay small. The design also reduces noise, making the signal clearer. Without this improvement, signals would be weaker and more prone to errors, causing issues like dropped connections or distorted transmissions.

Fastest 300 GHz Data Speed Ever Recorded

NTT has already tested its integrated design and successfully transmitted a 16-Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (16QAM) signal—an advanced encoding method that allows multiple bits of data to be sent simultaneously. The system delivered a clear signal with low noise, reaching the fastest data speed ever recorded in the 300 GHz range. By removing extra connections and reducing signal loss, it allowed for much faster and more reliable communication than older designs.

Ultra-Fast, No Lag Communications

What does this mean in the real world? It means that 6G performance requirements can now be met. Data rates exceeding 100Gbps are achievable, which then unlocks the potential for emerging applications like real-time holographic communication and immersive VR/AR experiences. Telemedicine could take a leap forward, with the possibility of enabling remote surgeries and diagnostics that rely on ultra-fast, high-quality video transmission. Autonomous vehicles would benefit from instantaneous data exchange, allowing them to process environmental information more quickly and make safer decisions.

In a More Compact Device

And on a practical, human level, integrating FE components makes wireless communication devices smaller, lighter, and handier for use in compact consumer products like smartphones, wearable tech, and IoT sensors. This also improves energy efficiency, making devices more sustainable and cost-effective to operate.

Future research will focus on further refining the front-end by integrating additional components, such as signal generators and amplifiers, directly into the chip. Real-world testing with connected antennas can then validate its effectiveness under practical conditions.

6G is Getting Closer

By proving the feasibility of using the sub-terahertz band for practical wireless communication, NTT is shining a light on the huge potential of the frequency range. And what's more, their miniaturized design simplifies integration into next-generation devices, bringing ultra-fast wireless communication closer to real-world implementation. It's getting us a step closer to making 6G a reality, a new era of connectivity for data-intensive applications.

NTT—Innovating the Future of Communication

For further information, please see this link:
https://group.ntt/en/newsrelease/2024/10/28/241028b.html

Daniel O'Connor

Daniel O'Connor joined the NTT Group in 1999 when he began work as the Public Relations Manager of NTT Europe. While in London, he liaised with the local press, created the company's intranet site, wrote technical copy for industry magazines and managed exhibition stands from initial design to finished displays.

Later seconded to the headquarters of NTT Communications in Tokyo, he contributed to the company's first-ever winning of global telecoms awards and the digitalisation of internal company information exchange.

Since 2015 Daniel has created content for the Group's Global Leadership Institute, the One NTT Network and is currently working with NTT R&D teams to grow public understanding of the cutting-edge research undertaken by the NTT Group.