NTT DOCOMO, INC., NTT Corporation, NEC Corporation, and Fujitsu Limited have jointly unveiled a groundbreaking wireless device capable of achieving ultra-high-speed transmissions of 100 Gbps within the sub-terahertz bands of 100 GHz and 300 GHz.
Since 2021, these four companies have collaborated on research and development endeavors in preparation for the forthcoming 6G era. Recent tests have demonstrated the capability of their jointly developed wireless device to achieve unprecedented speeds of 100 Gbps within the 100 GHz and 300 GHz bands, covering distances of up to 100 meters. This achievement represents a significant leap forward, considering that 100 Gbps is approximately 20 times faster than the maximum data rate currently achievable in 5G networks, which stands at 4.9 Gbps.
Each of the participating companies has played a crucial role in this collaborative effort:
DOCOMO: Conducted in-depth analyses of the wireless system configuration required for 100 GHz telecommunications applications and subsequently developed wireless transmission equipment capable of delivering data rates equivalent to 100 Gbps within a range of 100 meters.
NTT: Leveraged its expertise in researching 300 GHz wireless devices and associated equipment, including wideband mixers, to develop a cutting-edge wireless device capable of achieving 100 Gbps per channel within a 100-meter range in the 300 GHz band.
NEC: Analyzed the wireless system configuration for telecommunications in the 100 GHz band and engineered a multi-element active phased array antenna (APAA) comprising over 100 antenna elements, facilitating enhanced performance in wireless communications.
Fujitsu: Conducted research into compound semiconductor technologies to enable high-output, high-efficiency signal amplification, thereby extending communication range and reducing power consumption within the 100 GHz and 300 GHz bands. Fujitsu achieved the world’s highest power efficiency in a high-output amplifier through these efforts.
Looking ahead to the 6G era, with its diverse applications such as ultra-HD video streaming and real-time control in autonomous vehicles, along with escalating communication demands, achieving high-capacity wireless communication is paramount. This will be made possible by leveraging the abundant bandwidth available in the sub-terahertz band from 100 GHz to 300 GHz. However, transitioning to these much higher frequencies poses significant challenges, necessitating the development of entirely new wireless devices tailored to this spectrum.
Moving forward, the four companies remain committed to extensive research and development efforts in sub-terahertz telecommunications, capitalizing on their respective strengths to contribute to the standardization of 6G technology.
