Researchers have achieved a remarkable milestone in wireless communication by setting a new world record that promises to dramatically enhance speed and reliability. They have successfully reached a total bandwidth of 145GHz, which is over five times greater than the former record for wireless transmissions.
Researchers from UCL have established a groundbreaking world record in wireless transmission, offering the prospect of quicker and more dependable wireless communications.
The research team transmitted data wirelessly at a staggering rate of 938 Gigabits per second (Gb/s) using an unprecedented frequency range from 5 to 150 Gigahertz (GHz).
This astonishing speed is almost 9,380 times faster than the top average download speed for 5G in the UK, which currently stands at 100 Megabits per second (Mb/s)1. The overall bandwidth of 145GHz significantly surpasses the previous wireless transmission record by more than five times.
Wireless networks usually send information through radio waves across a limited frequency spectrum, with standard technologies like Wi-Fi and 5G predominantly operating below 6GHz.
However, congestion in this frequency range has hindered the speed of wireless communications.
Researchers from UCL’s Electronic & Electrical Engineering department overcame this issue by transmitting data over a significantly broader frequency range, for the first time integrating both radio and optical technologies. Their findings were published in a new study featured in The Journal of Lightwave Technology.
This innovative approach is expected to meet the rising demand for increased wireless data capacity and speed within the next three to five years.
Dr. Zhixin Liu, the senior author of the study from UCL Electronic & Electrical Engineering, remarked: “Today’s wireless communication systems are struggling to satisfy the growing demand for high-speed data access, particularly in the final few meters between users and the fibre optic networks.”
“Our strategy involves utilizing more of the available frequencies to enhance bandwidth while preserving high signal quality and allowing flexible access to various frequency resources. This leads to ultra-fast and reliable wireless networks, bypassing the speed limitations present between user devices and the Internet.”
“Our new method synergizes two existing wireless technologies for the first time—high-speed electronics and millimetre wave photonics—to tackle these challenges. This system allows for the transmission of large data volumes at unmatched speeds, which will be critical for future wireless communications.”
To tackle the limitations faced in current wireless technologies, UCL researchers devised an innovative method that merges advanced electronics functioning optimally in the 5-50 GHz range with a photonics technology that utilizes light to create radio signals, which excels in the 50-150GHz range.
The team succeeded in generating high-quality signals by blending electronic digital-to-analogue signal generators with light-based radio signal generators, enabling data transmission across a vast frequency range of 5-150 GHz.
Impact on wireless technologies
Modern communication networks depend on various technologies to operate effectively. Optical fiber communication systems facilitate long-distance data transfer, spanning continents and connecting data centers to individual homes. Wireless technologies typically come into play at the final stage, transmitting data a short distance—such as from a home internet router to connected devices via Wi-Fi.
While optical fiber, which underpins the current communication networks, has made significant strides in bandwidth and speed recently, these improvements are hindered without compatible advancements in the wireless technology responsible for transmitting information over the final few meters in homes, workplaces, and public areas.
The new technology developed by UCL could revolutionize many sectors, especially the Wi-Fi connectivity that people rely on in their homes and public venues.
Mobile phone users can anticipate quicker internet speeds and more reliable connections, thanks to the power of this system in 5G and future 6G networks. This advancement would enable a greater number of users to connect in densely populated areas or large events, like concerts, without experiencing slowdowns, or it would allow the same number of users to enjoy significantly increased speeds.
For example, downloading a two-hour 4k Ultra HD film (approximately 14GB) would take 19 minutes at 5G’s typical speed of 100 Mb/s, but with the new technology, it could be downloaded in merely 0.12 seconds.
Professor Izzat Darwazeh, a co-author of the study and director of UCL’s Institute of Communications and Connected Systems (ICCS), stated: “The advantage of wireless technology lies in its spatial and locational flexibility, making it ideal for scenarios where optical cabling would be impractical, such as factories with complex equipment arrangements.”
“This work elevates wireless technology to match the increased bandwidths and speeds that have been achieved with radio frequency and optical communication systems that are part of the next-generation digital communications framework.”
Though this technology has only been tested in the lab so far, efforts are underway to develop a prototype for commercial trials. If successful, this technology could be integrated into commercial equipment within the next three to five years.
Professor Polina Bayvel, another author of the study and co-director of the ICCS, expressed gratitude toward UKRI and the EPSRC for their support, emphasizing the necessity of establishing leading test beds and experimental capacities in these areas, which are vital for the UK’s national communications infrastructure.
This research is backed by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).
Note:
1 For a comprehensive analysis of UK mobile internet speeds, refer to the Ofcom report Mobile Matters 2024. The report reveals that in 2024, 47% of 5G connections achieved an average download speed of 100Mbit/s or above, with average speeds varying among network providers and locations.
