Rohde & Schwarz is showcasing a groundbreaking photonics-based THz communication system designed for future 6G wireless networks at the European Microwave Week (EuMW) 2024 in Paris. This new system, developed as part of the 6G-ADLANTIK project, represents a major advancement in 6G technology by enabling ultra-stable and tunable terahertz (THz) communications beyond 500 GHz, using frequency comb technology.
Advancing 6G Technology with Photonics
As the demand for 6G technologies grows, developing THz transmission sources with wide frequency ranges and high signal stability is essential. The new system from Rohde & Schwarz uses a combination of optical and electronic technologies to generate THz signals through a photonic THz mixer. By converting an optical beat signal from lasers with slightly differing frequencies into an electrical signal, the system efficiently produces THz waves that can be modulated for data transmission. The setup is highly tunable and can also be adapted for component characterization using coherently received THz signals.
This innovation is part of the broader 6G-ADLANTIK project, which focuses on photonic and electronic integration for THz communication components. Along with Rohde & Schwarz, the project is coordinated by several leading institutions, including TOPTICA Photonics AG, Fraunhofer Institute HHI, and Microwave Photonics GmbH. Funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, the initiative aims to drive forward next-generation wireless communication technologies for applications such as 6G, sensing, and imaging.
Key Technologies and Equipment
The new THz system is equipped with cutting-edge technologies that make it highly stable and efficient. A comb-locked optical frequency synthesizer (OFS) from TOPTICA ensures ultra-low phase noise, while Rohde & Schwarz provides high-end instrumentation to manage signal generation and analysis. The R&S SFI100A wideband IF vector signal generator, R&S SMA100B RF signal generator, and R&S RTP oscilloscope are key components of the setup. These instruments help generate, modulate, and process THz signals for 6G applications, with sampling rates reaching up to 40 GS/s.
Meeting Future 6G Frequency Demands
While current 5G networks operate in the FR1 and FR2 bands, the development of 6G will push communication into the sub-THz range, potentially reaching up to 300 GHz. These higher frequencies will be essential for advanced applications such as the metaverse, extended reality (XR), and other latency-sensitive systems. Rohde & Schwarz’s THz system is designed to address these emerging frequency needs, ensuring that future networks can handle the increased data transmission rates and lower latency demands required by new technologies.
Rohde & Schwarz will present this proof-of-concept for 6G and other RF and microwave solutions at EuMW 2024 in Paris, from September 24 to 26, at booth 401L.
Workshop on Photonic RF Technologies
In addition to their exhibition, Rohde & Schwarz will co-host a workshop at the European Microwave Conference on September 22, 2024. The workshop, titled “Photonic Technologies for Radio Frequency Applications,” will explore the potential of photonic RF technologies to outperform traditional solutions in terms of cost, performance, and scalability.
Rohde & Schwarz continues to push the boundaries of wireless communication technology, and the development of this tunable THz system is a significant step toward realizing the full potential of 6G networks. As the demand for faster, more efficient data transmission grows, innovations like these will play a critical role in shaping the future of global connectivity.
