A group of scientists has tapped into the possibilities of 6G communications through a novel polarization multiplexer.
Terahertz communications signify the next level of wireless technology, offering data speeds that far surpass those of current systems.
Operating at terahertz frequencies grants these systems exceptional bandwidth, facilitating ultra-fast wireless communication and data transfer. A major hurdle in terahertz communication, however, is efficiently managing and utilizing the available spectrum.
The research team has created the first ultra-wideband integrated terahertz polarization (de)multiplexer built on a substrateless silicon foundation, successfully tested in the sub-terahertz J-band (220-330 GHz) for 6G communications and beyond.
Professor Withawat Withayachumnankul from the School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering at the University of Adelaide led the team, which includes Dr. Weijie Gao, a former PhD student at the University of Adelaide, who currently conducts research alongside Professor Masayuki Fujita at Osaka University.
“The polarization multiplexer we developed allows for multiple data streams to be transmitted at the same time over the same frequency band, effectively doubling the data capacity,” explained Professor Withayachumnankul.
“This remarkably large relative bandwidth is unprecedented for any integrated multiplexers across any frequency range. If scaled to the center frequency of optical communication bands, such bandwidth could encompass all optical communication ranges.”
A multiplexer enables multiple input signals to use a single device or resource, similar to how several phone calls can be transmitted over one wire.
The innovative device crafted by the team can enhance communication capacity within the same bandwidth while reducing data loss compared to existing solutions. It uses standard fabrication processes which allow for economical large-scale production.
“This breakthrough not only boosts the efficiency of terahertz communication systems but also lays the groundwork for stronger, more reliable high-speed wireless networks,” noted Dr. Gao.
“The polarization multiplexer is thus a crucial facilitator in unlocking the full promise of terahertz communications, advancing fields like high-definition video streaming, augmented reality, and the upcoming 6G mobile networks.”
The significant challenges tackled in this research, published in the journal Laser & Photonic Reviews, greatly enhance the feasibility of photonics-enabled terahertz technologies.
“By overcoming significant technical obstacles, this innovation could ignite renewed interest and investigative efforts in the domain,” stated Professor Fujita, who co-authored the paper.
“We expect to see researchers begin to explore new applications and refine the technology in the next one to two years.”
In the next three to five years, the team anticipates major progress in high-speed communications, leading to the development of commercial prototypes and early-stage products.
“In ten years, we predict that these terahertz technologies will be widely adopted across various industries, transforming telecommunications, imaging, radar, and the internet of things,” expressed Professor Withayachumnankul.
This new polarization multiplexer can be effortlessly integrated with the team’s existing beamforming devices on the same platform to facilitate advanced communication features.
