Breakthrough in communication technology: China introduces the global pioneer of a 6G chip, covering frequencies from 0.5-115 GHz and delivering unprecedented speeds of 100 Gbps.

In a groundbreaking development, a team of scientists led by researchers from Peking University and City University of Hong Kong have created the world's first all-frequency 6G chip. This tiny marvel, measuring just 11mm by 1.7mm, is set to revolutionise the wireless communication landscape.

The chip's unique design consolidates millimetre-wave and terahertz communications with low-frequency microwave bands, offering mobile internet speeds above 100 gigabits per second. This high-frequency capability provides massive bandwidth and ultra-low latency, making it ideal for applications such as virtual reality, surgical procedures, and other data-intensive tasks.

One of the standout features of this chip is its "frequency-navigation" technology. When interference occurs, the chip shifts to a clear channel, ensuring uninterrupted service. The system achieved 6 GHz frequency tuning in 180 microseconds, a speed hundreds of times faster than a blink.

The chip also boasts a broadband electro-optic modulator, which converts wireless signals into optical ones. This innovation allows for more efficient and faster data transmission.

The researchers aim to create plug-and-play communication modules, no larger than a USB stick, that could be embedded in various devices, including smartphones, base stations, drones, and Internet of Things devices. These modules could extend coverage across the entire wireless spectrum, helping close the digital gap between rural and urban communities.

The chip's development is seen as an urgent need to tackle 6G development challenges due to the growing demand for connected devices. It establishes the hardware base for AI-native networks and is AI-ready, offering dynamic frequency adjustment and multipurpose programmability.

The team overcame the barrier of conventional wireless hardware working within a narrow range by using photonic-electronic fusion. This approach allows the chip to integrate the entire spectrum from 0.5 GHz to 115 GHz into a thumbnail-sized chip, a feat that traditionally required nine separate radio systems.

The chip is suitable for crowded areas like concerts or stadiums, where thousands of devices connect at once. Its single-channel data rate exceeded 100 Gbps, and it can handle low bands that provide wide-area coverage, critical for reaching remote locations like mountains, undersea locations, and even outer space.

This breakthrough in 6G technology could pave the way for a more connected world, offering faster and more reliable wireless communication for a wide range of applications. The race for 6G development is on, and China has taken a significant step forward with this all-frequency 6G chip.