Sub-THz Band for 6G World Record Data Rate of 280 GBit/s Around 300 GHz

Related Vendors

Keysight Technologies Deutschland GmbH

FAULHABER Drive Systems

Wuxi InfiMotion Technology Co., Ltd.

As part of a collaboration, developers were able to achieve a data rate of 280 GBit/s on the way to high data rates in the sub-THz band for 6G. In addition to modern measurement technology, high-performance amplifier technology was also required.

Keysight Technologies, NTT Corporation (NTT) and NTT Innovative Devices Corporation (NTT Innovative Devices) have reached a significant milestone on the way to 6G with a data transmission rate of 280 GBit/s (35 GBaud, 256 QAM) in the frequency range around 300 GHz. The previous record of 240 GBit/s has thus been surpassed once again. This new record required a combination of advanced measurement technology from Keysight with powerful indium phosphide-based (InP) amplifier technology and improved digital predistortion methods.

Increasing Bandwidths And Frequencies Between 100 And 300 GHz

The collaboration used Keysight's vector component analyzer (VCA), based on the current generation of PNA-X microwave network analyzers (N524XB series), and a broadband power amplifier (PA) from NTT in the J-band (220 to 325 GHz). Thanks to the targeted application of digital pre-distortion (DPD), non-linearities of the amplifier were effectively compensated and high-precision modulated signals were generated at an output power of 0 dBm. The consortium thus achieved an unprecedented data rate, which significantly accelerates and simplifies the characterization and validation of future 6G sub-THz components.

Technologies such as 6G mobile communications, AI-supported applications and autonomous driving require increasing bandwidths and frequencies between 100 and 300 GHz. At the sub-THz level, high-quality, linearized and precisely modulated signals are required, but measuring them is challenging in terms of measurement technology. The test results obtained show that the J-band amplifier used by NTT provides excellent performance for 6G communication at a saturation power of +9.1 dBm.

Partnership Between Measurement Technology Specialists And RF Developers Drives 6G Forward

Hirokazu Takenouchi, Vice President at NTT Device Technology Laboratories, emphasized the importance of close partnerships in this development effort: "We are constantly expanding the carrier frequencies and integration possibilities of state-of-the-art radio systems. Measurement technology is crucial in order to effectively meet the complex requirements of our components."

Akimasa Kaneko, Executive Vice President of the Photonic Devices Division at NTT Innovative Devices, added: "Our InP technology, especially through coordinated collaboration with partners, has made this outstanding data rate possible. This sets a significant benchmark for future broadband amplifiers in terms of linearity, efficiency and performance."

Joe Rickert, Vice President of the High Frequency Center of Excellence at Keysight, praised the joint result: "This world record underlines our innovative strength in precise signal generation and amplifier equalization in the sub-terahertz range. It is an important step towards fully exploiting the enormous potential of these frequency ranges in the upcoming 6G networks."

Keysight, NTT and NTT Innovative Devices are thus impressively demonstrating how important the role of high-performance measurement technology and high-frequency component technology is in the development of future communication systems. (heh)

Secure and Compliant Authentication in Laboratories

Secure & Contactless User Authentication at GMP/GLP