Researchers realized a high-speed data transfer technique to send an uncompressed 8K video over 300 GHz link.
High-speed data transfer is generally done using various modulation and digital signal processing techniques. Researchers from Osaka University have teamed up with Rohm to send 8K video at 48Gbit/s over a 300GHz carrier using a simple modulation technique.
“In general, such ultra-high-speed data transmission experiments are performed using multi-level modulations via a complex system with high power consumption that uses off-line or on-line digital signal processing,” said team leader Masayuki Fujita. “The present real-time demonstration, which uses the simplest OOK [on-off keying] format, shows the capability of ultra-broad band terahertz waves. Our achievement demonstrates the usefulness of terahertz waves and is expected to accelerate research and development activities for the realization of ‘beyond 5G’, and eventually 6G.”
The researchers created a two-channel terahertz transmitter, using pairs of lasers with wavelengths in the 1.55μm band, but differences in the 300GHz band. The 8K video source was intensity-modulated onto the signal with an ultra-fast photodiode.
The video was uncompressed 8K, sent as a four-channel 12Gbit/s signal combined to form two separate RF channels modulated at 24Gbit/s. Receiver consists of a self-oscillating tunnel diode, which is tuned for high-sensitivity coherent detection of incoming THz waves. The detected and decoded 24Gbit/s streams are then split into four channels for an HDMI connection to an 8K monitor.
“Among all electronic-based systems, ours achieved the highest error-free wireless transmission data rate,” said researcher Yousuke Nishida at the time.
