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.

Comments

10cm

[Thanshin]

"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?

Re:10cm

[rlp]

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

Re:Range/Signal quality speed

[Rob Lister]

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. :?

Physics puts enormous limits on using 30-300GHz

[Muad'Dave]

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.

Re:Physics puts enormous limits on using 30-300GHz

[NixieBunny]

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.