Japanese scientists develop 20x faster Wi-Fi using T-rays

Shawn Knight

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A team of Japanese scientists have succeeded in breaking the record for wireless data transmission in the terahertz range. The researchers were able to achieve speeds that are 20 times faster than typical Wi-Fi used today.

Researchers from the Tokyo Institute of Technology have created special hardware that is capable of transmitting data at 3 GB/sec, or roughly 20 times faster than traditional Wi-Fi at frequencies that reach 542 GHz. They used a 1 millimeter-square device called a resonate tunneling diode that creates smaller voltages with higher current. Increasing the current made the device resonate and send the desired signal.

To do this, the scientists used what they called the “T-ray” band, otherwise known as the section of electromagnetic spectrum that falls between 300 GHz and 3 THz. This unregulated spectrum range is between that of microwave and far-infrared and could potentially be used for Wi-Fi networks at some point.

Realistically, terahertz Wi-Fi is just a proof of concept at this point and would likely only work over a range of about 10 meters. In theory, however, it could support data rates upwards of 100 GB/sec which is about 15 times faster than the next generation 802.11ac that is currently in development.

Scientists are hard at work to further refine the project with plans to extend its range further into the terahertz spectrum and increase power output. The full disclosure of information from the researchers has been published in Electronics Letters.

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now they only need to get that speed over a range of 100meters.

yeah, maybe... so far as I know (which isn't very far), the smaller the wavelength the less it can penetrate things. The bigger question is do we need it? I think current wi-fi is already fine for current needs. my wi-fi is faster than my internet. Although in 2020 when my TV has a resolution of 7680x4320 we may need the extra bandwidth. ;)
 
Between microwave and infrared range. Not only can we get faster data transfer, but we can possibly cook anything between the two access points for dinner...
 
now they only need to get that speed over a range of 100meters.

yeah, maybe... so far as I know (which isn't very far), the smaller the wavelength the less it can penetrate things. The bigger question is do we need it? I think current wi-fi is already fine for current needs. my wi-fi is faster than my internet. Although in 2020 when my TV has a resolution of 7680x4320 we may need the extra bandwidth. ;)

Of course it's good for your HOME internet with which you connect a single computer over wireless connection TO THE internet.

How about you think in big companies now, or server connections which require more data to backup or whatnot wirelessly to another computer on the private network.
 
It's interesting to note that such a high radio frequency will have poor range.

In open air, it might be 10 meters but when it comes to traveling through desks, walls and bookcases, I suspect it would be useless.

Look no further existing airport scanners, medical scanners, infrared and UV light which may be able to travel through low density materials (plastics, cloth) but can't penetrate most types of tissue, liquids or metals.

It could prove useful for line-of-sight connectivity though. The bandwidth boost from such a high frequency is undeniable... just pray no one walks in front of it.
 
"anonymous scientists develop protocol bypassing ISP data cap"
...now that would be epic...
 
can I use some contents of this article? I will create back link to this page as reference......................
 
Someone mentioned wireless monitors, I suppose that would about be possible with this?
that would be awesome.
 
I would be happy with even 10 meter range. In fact I would prefer it. No neighbor snooping or free riding onto your internet connection. I essentially use wifi only to keep my devices untethered !
 
IMHO wifi is not only about Internet. At work or even at home when transferring large files and chunks of data, a faster wifi connection will be helpful.

boon_axe
 
It's interesting to note that such a high radio frequency will have poor range.
In open air, it might be 10 meters but when it comes to traveling through desks, walls and bookcases, I suspect it would be useless.
Look no further existing airport scanners, medical scanners, infrared and UV light which may be able to travel through low density materials (plastics, cloth) but can't penetrate most types of tissue, liquids or metals.
It could prove useful for line-of-sight connectivity though. The bandwidth boost from such a high frequency is undeniable... just pray no one walks in front of it.

I just got a mental picture of using tightbeam emitters to quickly bounce the wifi across the building, and then it bounces into an omnidirectional emitter, which puts out the signal across a cubicle block or something. You could mount the emitters near or on the ceiling to avoid getting stopped by walls.

Might just be Science Fiction, but it's interesting.
 
Similar work to what the Technical University of Denmark did last year in the W-band?

I'm curious how either of the two technologies will look in the hands of a consumer.
 
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