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Japanese Researchers Achieve Record 56Gbps Wireless Transmission

Mickeycaskill writes: Fujitsu and the Tokyo Institute of Technology have achieved a wireless transmission of 56Gbps over a 10cm distance using millimeter-wave (mmWave) frequencies located between 30-300GHz. While cellular capacity is improved in some areas through the addition of new mobile masts and small cells, the fibre networks used to link these sites to the wider network is either absent or not feasible to deploy in urban locations or on difficult terrain. This makes the wireless capacity of mobile masts even more important. To achieve the speed, researchers developed custom chips and interface technology to boost capacity of wireless signals without significant data loss.

It is claimed that by pairing the technology developed with a high-output amplifier, the same effect can be achieved outdoors and could be commercialised for mobile operators by 2020.

9 of 33 comments (clear)

  1. 10cm by Thanshin · · Score: 4, Funny

    "Fujitsu and the Tokyo Institute of Technology have achieved a wireless transmission of 56Gbps over a 10cm distance [...] cellular capacity is improved in some areas through the addition of new mobile masts and small cells, the fibre networks used to link these sites to the wider network is either absent or not feasible to deploy in urban locations or on difficult terrain"

    I'm no rocket scientist, but are we sure that the best solution is having satellites fly 10cm over our heads?

    1. Re:10cm by rlp · · Score: 4, Funny

      Nope - mesh network. Just stand within 10 cm of other users. Perfect for the Tokyo subway system during rush hour.

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      [Insert pithy quote here]
  2. Re:Range/Signal quality speed by Rob+Lister · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Discovering the limits is important. I have no problem with the research. Have we even discovered the limits of a simple two-wire twisted pair? Probably, at least to practicality, not improbably perfectly. It's just basic research. Which is good. Probably a whole lot more useful than finding the Higgs. And a lot cheaper. :?

  3. Re:Range/Signal quality speed by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

    IMHO

    I don't think you quite understand what that means.

    why are people so obsessed with speed over short distances?

    They aren't. When you're developing a new tech, you first get it working at short distances to prove the concept. Then you start trying to do it over longer distances. Then you start trying to do it in real-world conditions.

  4. Re:Range/Signal quality speed by gstoddart · · Score: 2, Insightful

    No, they'll deliver something they claim delivers those speeds, but which really only works under a few cases, but which they'll claim they can't really afford to sustain ... and then you'll just end up paying 30% more for the same shitty network.

    You know, what they've done with the last several iterations of this stuff. ZOMG, look at teh super fast network, followed by no, you can't really have those speeds.

    I've pretty much come to the conclusion this stuff really only exists for marketing purposes, and then they cry poor when people try to use what they've been sold.

    You'll never see this as a consumer.

    --
    Lost at C:>. Found at C.
  5. Physics puts enormous limits on using 30-300GHz by Muad'Dave · · Score: 4, Informative

    The FCC has a publication on the behavior of RF in the 30-300GHZ range, and the outlook is not rosy. Atmospheric gases, water vapor, rain drops, foliage, and other attenuation and noise sources make these frequencies problematic for medium- to long-range, high speed comms.

    Using 60 GHz is interesting because it's attenuation is so high it can be reused every 4 km.

    --
    Tiller's Rule: Never use a word in written form that you've only heard and never read. You will end up looking foolish.
    1. Re:Physics puts enormous limits on using 30-300GHz by NixieBunny · · Score: 4, Interesting

      I work in millimeter- and submillimeter-wave radio astronomy, where we receive signals in the 60 to 800 GHz range. There is a lot of water absorption of the signal, leaving only certain frequency bands usable. The semiconductors used at these frequencies are rather exotic - we use superconducting materials in our receivers for lower noise, and we cool them to 4 Kelvin. Making a power amplifier to produce even one Watt of signal at 75 GHz is a million-dollar project. In short, it's not likely to be mainstream for at least ten years.

      --
      The determined Real Programmer can write Fortran programs in any language.
  6. Light on details by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

    The article was light on details. How wide was the spectrum used? It says 30-300 Ghz - does that mean the entire 270 Ghz of spectrum was used?

    Also, spectrum in the 24 Ghz band is already used for outdoor data links. It's fragile, requires perfect line of sight, and suffers from significant rain fade. Higher frequency bands starting at 30 Ghz are not going to work very well outdoors over any significant distance until/unless our fundamental understanding of radio frequencies experiences a major shift.

  7. Not for phones by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Interesting

    30GHz wireless is never going to be in a cell phone, it's really only suitable for stationary point-to-point connections (the only way to get decent range). So I'm going to assume that by "commercialised for mobile operators" they mean replacing the fiber link to the tower.

    The other issue with 30GHz is rain fade, exactly as the name implies the signal is very susceptible to weather and so these systems usually have a lower-frequency (2.4 or 5GHz) backup link to use during rain/snow/etc.