UCL Breaks Wireless Speed Record with New Tech: 9,000 Times Faster Than 5G

October 16, 2024
UCL Breaks Wireless Speed Record with New Tech: 9,000 Times Faster Than 5G
  • The UCL team's technology allows for different transmission operations across various frequency ranges, significantly enhancing overall performance and capacity.

  • This advancement is particularly beneficial in crowded locations, such as concerts and sports events, where it can facilitate faster connections.

  • The UCL team is currently in discussions with smartphone manufacturers and network operators to integrate this technology into future 6G developments.

  • The new approach combines advanced electronics and photonics, enabling data transmission across a wide frequency range while maintaining high signal quality.

  • Although still in the laboratory phase, the technology is being developed into a prototype for commercial testing within the next five years.

  • Current 5G connections operate on congested narrow frequencies below 6 GHz, which limits speeds and contributes to slower wireless performance.

  • The research received support from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), highlighting its importance for the UK's communications infrastructure.

  • Such speeds are nearly 9,000 times faster than current 5G networks, which typically max out at around 20 gigabits per second.

  • University College London (UCL) has developed a groundbreaking wireless communication approach that integrates radio waves and light, achieving remarkable speeds nearing one terabit per second.

  • This innovative system set a new world record in wireless transmission, reaching peak speeds of 938 gigabits per second, which is approximately 30% faster than the previous record.

  • For practical context, this technology could download a 14GB 4K Ultra HD movie in just 0.14 seconds, a stark contrast to the 19 minutes required with standard 5G speeds.

  • The researchers utilized a frequency range from 5 gigahertz to 150 gigahertz, employing orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) to enhance data transmission rates.

Summary based on 7 sources


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