Advancing Wi-Fi and Optical Technology: Breaking Records with 44.2 Tbps Speeds

In the realm of high-speed wireless and optical communication technologies, recent advancements have brought us closer than ever to harnessing the full potential of our networks. With the pressure on global internet infrastructure highlighted by the pandemic, researchers have achieved unprecedented data speeds, potentially transforming our daily internet experiences.

Record-Breaking Wi-Fi: 46 Gbps and Beyond

As of the latest updates, the highest speed achieved in a Wi-Fi network is reported to be around 46 Gbps, set by researchers at the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) in Japan in 2022. This milestone utilized advanced technologies such as Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) and high-frequency bands. However, commercially available Wi-Fi technologies like Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) and the upcoming Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) promise theoretical speeds up to 9.6 Gbps and 46 Gbps respectively, still far from the everyday achievable speeds due to factors like distance, interference, and network congestion.

100 Gbps and Beyond: German Researchers Shatter Records

A recent breakthrough in wireless technology was achieved by German researchers, who utilized a combination of photonics and electronics to create a wireless network capable of sending and receiving data at 100 Gbps. This is a significant leap forward and paves the way for faster internet experiences in the near future.

44.2 Tbps: A Field-Tested Record

Recently, researchers from universities such as Monash and RMIT in Australia, in collaboration with Swinburne, have achieved an unprecedented speed of 44.2 Terabits per second (Tbps) from a single light source. This achievement is particularly significant as it demonstrates the potential to support high-speed internet for millions of households simultaneously. The team used a new device called a micro-comb, which replaces 80 lasers with a single piece of equipment. This device, smaller and lighter than existing telecommunication hardware, was used to efficiently load-test existing infrastructure, mirroring the networks used by the NBN (National Broadband Network).

This is the first time a micro-comb has been used in a field trial, and it produces the highest amount of data from a single optical chip. Researchers installed 76.6 kilometers of dark optical fibres between RMIT's Melbourne City Campus and Monash University's Clayton Campus, with the micro-comb acting like a rainbow made up of hundreds of high-quality infrared lasers from a single chip. Each laser can function as a separate communication channel, allowing for maximum data transmission across 4THz of bandwidth. This demonstrates the potential to scale up current transmitters from hundreds of gigabytes per second to tens of terabytes per second without increasing size, weight, or cost.

Implications for Global Internet Infrastructure

The implications of this technology for global internet infrastructure are substantial. The ability to scale to terabits per second could potentially support the high-speed internet required by millions of households during peak usage times, extending to billions around the world. This breakthrough not only addresses current demands but also prepares the infrastructure for the future growth of data traffic.

Future Ambitions

The future ambition of the project, as stated by Distinguished Professor Arnan Mitchell, is to scale up the current transmitters without increasing size, weight, or cost. This is a significant goal that could dramatically change the landscape of internet infrastructure around the world.