China’s ‘universal’ 6G chip 5,000 times faster than rural US speeds

Chinese researchers have developed the world’s first all-frequency 6G chip, capable of delivering over 100 Gbps across the entire wireless spectrum (0.5–115 GHz). This innovation consolidates multiple radio systems into a thumbnail-sized chip, enabling seamless connectivity for urban and rural areas alike. The technology supports diverse applications, from virtual reality to remote education, while overcoming limitations of conventional hardware. By paving the way for smarter, AI-driven networks, the chip is set to transform global communication and bridge the digital divide.

Chinese scientists have unveiled a groundbreaking 6G chip capable of transforming global connectivity. Touted as the world’s first "all-frequency" 6G chip, this innovation sets the stage for bridging the digital divide between urban and rural communities by delivering unprecedented mobile internet speeds. The study, published in Nature, highlights the chip's ability to operate across the entire wireless spectrum while achieving speeds exceeding 100 gigabits per second (Gbps).

To put this into perspective, the chip can transmit a 50GB 8K high-definition movie in mere seconds, unlocking vast opportunities in education, healthcare, and commerce for remote regions. This advancement addresses a pressing challenge: the fragmented spectrum of frequencies currently used by various devices and networks.

A Breakthrough in Wireless Technology

Today’s wireless networks are a patchwork of frequency bands optimized for specific purposes. For example, 5G networks typically operate at around 3 GHz, satellites rely on 30 GHz, and advanced applications like holographic surgeries may require frequencies as high as 100 GHz. Traditionally, each frequency band demanded its own dedicated hardware, adding complexity and cost.

However, this new 6G chip, developed by a team led by researchers from Peking University and City University of Hong Kong, consolidates the entire wireless spectrum—ranging from 0.5 GHz to 115 GHz—into a single thumbnail-sized chip. This innovation eliminates the need for multiple radio systems and ensures seamless switching across a massive spectrum. The chip supports both millimeter-wave and terahertz communications, offering unparalleled flexibility and performance.

Solving Connectivity Challenges

Professor Wang Xingjun of Peking University emphasized the urgency of advancing 6G technology to meet the growing demand for connected devices. "As next-generation networks evolve, they must leverage the strengths of different frequency bands," Wang told China Science Daily.

High-frequency bands, such as millimeter-wave and terahertz, provide ultra-fast bandwidth and minimal latency, ideal for applications like virtual reality and telemedicine. Meanwhile, low-frequency bands, such as microwaves, excel in wide-area coverage, making them essential for remote regions, deep-sea communication, and even space exploration.

Conventional wireless systems, constrained by material and design limitations, operate within narrow frequency ranges. Supporting full-spectrum 6G networks previously required multiple independent systems, leading to increased costs and heightened electromagnetic interference. The newly developed chip resolves these issues through a novel photonic-electronic fusion strategy.

A Technological Leap

The chip employs a broadband electro-optic modulator to convert wireless signals into optical signals, leveraging light’s ultra-wide bandwidth. These optical signals are processed and distributed within photonic components, enabling multi-band reception and transmission through frequency mixing between tunable lasers. Remarkably, all these components are integrated into a chip measuring just 11mm by 1.7mm.

The system delivers exceptional performance, with single-channel data rates surpassing 100 Gbps and 6 GHz frequency tuning achieved in just 180 microseconds—hundreds of times faster than a blink of an eye. For comparison, the average mobile speed in rural areas of the U.S. hovers around 20 Mbps.

The chip also features a "frequency-navigation" system, enabling it to automatically switch to interference-free channels. Professor Wang Cheng of City University of Hong Kong likened this capability to a driver smoothly changing lanes in traffic, ensuring uninterrupted communication even in crowded environments like concerts or sports arenas.

Toward Smarter Networks

The researchers believe this technology could revolutionize wireless networks, paving the way for AI-driven systems that dynamically adapt to complex electromagnetic environments. "For the first time, we have a hardware foundation for an AI-native network," Wang Xingjun explained, noting its ability to adjust communication parameters in real-time while performing environmental sensing.

Future plans include developing plug-and-play communication modules, akin to USB drives, that can be embedded into smartphones, base stations, drones, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. This would make the technology widely accessible and easy to deploy.

A Vision for the Future

This all-frequency 6G chip represents a major leap forward in connectivity, offering transformative potential for both urban and rural communities. By consolidating multiple systems into a single device, it sets the stage for more efficient, reliable, and intelligent wireless networks. As the world moves toward an increasingly interconnected future, innovations like this will be critical in ensuring equitable access to the benefits of technology.

Attribution: SCMP