Terahertz System Achieves 32 Gb/s Wireless Data Transfer

A terahertz system has been used to transmit data at a rate of 32 Gb/s over 25 m, a demonstration that could have important implications for the future of wireless communications.

Developed by the French Institute of Electronics, Microelectronics and Nanotechnology (IEMN), the system incorporates components produced by optical test equipment manufacturer Tektronix Inc. of Beaverton, Ore.

A diagram of data being transferred from a fiber network to a terahertz emitter, transmitted over free space, and coupled to another fiber network via terahertz receiver. Courtesy of Guillaume Ducournau/IEMN.

Tektronix said this marks first demonstration of a wireless system capable of transmitting data at 0.4 THz (400 GHz) using advanced signal coding (up to QAM-16) and key advanced terahertz devices.

"As we have shown in this demonstration, the gap between the worlds of fiber optics and radio can be bridged using photonics-based THz circuits," said Guillaume Ducournau, an assistant professor at IEMN. "Based on this first demonstration, the way forward for real-life THz communication systems is now open."

Klaus Engenhardt, chief technology officer of Tektronix in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, said the demonstration was enabled by the company's AWG70001A 50-Gs/S waveform generator, OM5110 46-gigabaud multiformat complex optical transmitter and DPO77002SX ATI 70-GHz real-time oscilloscope.

The demonstration was part of the French national project COM’TONIQ, whose goal is to develop a transmission system with a capacity of at least 56 Gb/s at 280 GHz over 100 m to 1 km.