Physicists created a microchip the size of a grain of rice for 6G

New microchip for 6G technologies

According to НВ — Техно: Physicists from Loughborough University, along with an international team of researchers, have created a microchip the size of a grain of rice, capable of generating a stable set of light frequencies and converting them into several millimeter signals simultaneously. This technology, based on a micro-comb, has the potential to significantly increase the bandwidth of future 6G networks and can be used in various fields, such as radar, navigation, spectroscopy, and precise timing.

The system is noted to form many precisely spaced light frequencies, which are then converted into millimeter radio waves for data transmission. Millimeter waves are considered one of the promising technologies for future communication networks. The basis of this new system is the micro-comb, which generates a set of light frequencies through equal intervals. The light generated by the micro-comb is invisible to the human eye, and previously, scientists demonstrated the ability to create only one precise millimeter frequency. The new system, on the other hand, can form several such frequencies simultaneously.

Technological achievements and challenges

To stabilize the signal, researchers combined a micro-resonator on the chip with a large loop of optical fiber. They have also learned to vary the intensity of individual frequencies. The entire setup currently occupies a laboratory table, but in the future, it is planned to reduce it to the size of a shoebox. The accuracy of the micro-comb is being tested in collaboration with the UK National Physical Laboratory and other research organizations.

Key challenges that lie in the way of implementing the technology include the stability and accuracy of the millimeter wave signals. The system has potential applications, including:

• radar
• spectroscopy
• astronomical instruments
• precise timing
• navigation
• location determination systems

The micro-comb used in this technology consists of numerous different light frequencies that are spaced and arranged at precise distances from one another. An illustration demonstrating this technology was created using artificial intelligence.

The development of such a microchip could significantly impact the future of telecommunications technologies, as millimeter waves are key to providing fast and reliable communication in 6G networks. The integration of new technologies in the field of radio communication and spectroscopy could lead to significant changes in the ways information is transmitted and processed, which, in turn, opens new opportunities for various fields, from satellite systems to medical technologies. Thus, the work of scientists not only advances science but also creates the conditions for the further development of modern technologies.

As advancements in communication technology continue, a recent breakthrough at a Chinese university demonstrates how complex calculations can now be executed directly by radio waves. This innovative approach complements the work being done on microchips for 6G, highlighting the rapid evolution of wireless technology. To explore this fascinating development further, read more about the new capabilities of radio waves in computing.