By 2030, 6G mobile communications are expected to pave the way for innovative applications such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality and the Internet of Things. This will require higher performance than the current 5G mobile standard using new hardware solutions. As such, at EuMW 2022, Fraunhofer IAF will be presenting an energy-efficient GaN transmitter module developed jointly with Fraunhofer HHI for the corresponding 6G frequency range above 70 GHz. The high performance of this module has been confirmed by Fraunhofer HHI.
Autonomous vehicles, telemedicine, automated factories – all of these future applications in transportation, healthcare and industry rely on information and communication technologies that go beyond the capabilities of the current fifth generation (5G) mobile communications standard. The expected launch of 6G mobile communications in 2030 promises to provide the necessary high-speed networks for the data volumes needed in the future, with data rates in excess of 1 Tbps and latency up to 100 µs.
Since 2019 as a KONFEKT project (“6G Communication Components”).
The researchers have developed transmission modules based on gallium nitride (GaN) power semiconductor, which for the first time can use the frequency range of approximately 80 GHz (E-band) and 140 GHz (D-band). The innovative E-band transmitter module, whose high performance has been successfully tested by Fraunhofer HHI, will be presented to the expert public at the European Microwave Week (EuMW) in Milan, Italy, from 25 to 30 September 2022.
“Due to the high demands on performance and efficiency, 6G requires new types of equipment,” explains Dr. Michael Mikulla from Fraunhofer IAF, who is coordinating the KONFEKT project. “Today’s state-of-the-art components are reaching their limits. This applies in particular to the underlying semiconductor technology, as well as assembly and antenna technology. To achieve the best results in terms of output power, bandwidth and power efficiency, we use GaN-based monolithic integration Microwave Microwave Circuits (MMIC) of our module replaces currently used silicon circuits.As a wide bandgap semiconductor, GaN can operate at higher voltages, providing significantly lower losses and more compact components.In addition, we are moving away from surface mount and planar design packages for developing low-loss beamforming architectures with waveguides and built-in parallel circuits.”
Fraunhofer HHI is also actively involved in the evaluation of 3D printed waveguides. Several components have been designed, manufactured and characterized using the selective laser melting (SLM) process, including power splitters, antennas and antenna feeds. The process also allows for the rapid and cost-effective production of components that cannot be manufactured using traditional methods, paving the way for the development of 6G technology.
“Through these technological innovations, the Fraunhofer Institutes IAF and HHI allow Germany and Europe to take an important step towards the future of mobile communications, while at the same time making an important contribution to national technological sovereignty,” Mikula said.
The E-band module provides 1W of linear output power from 81 GHz to 86 GHz by combining the transmit power of four separate modules with an extremely low loss waveguide assembly. This makes it suitable for broadband point-to-point data links over long distances, a key capability for future 6G architectures.
Various transmission experiments by Fraunhofer HHI have demonstrated the performance of the jointly developed components: in various outdoor scenarios, the signals comply with the current 5G development specification (5G-NR Release 16 of the 3GPP GSM standard). At 85 GHz, the bandwidth is 400 MHz.
With line-of-sight, data is successfully transmitted up to 600 meters in 64-symbol Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (64-QAM), providing high bandwidth efficiency of 6 bps/Hz. The received signal’s error vector magnitude (EVM) is -24.43 dB, well below the 3GPP limit of -20.92 dB. Because the line of sight is blocked by trees and parked vehicles, 16QAM modulated data can be successfully transmitted up to 150 meters. Quadrature modulation data (quadrature phase shift keying, QPSK) can still be transmitted and successfully received at an efficiency of 2 bps/Hz even when the line of sight between transmitter and receiver is completely blocked. In all scenarios, a high signal-to-noise ratio, sometimes in excess of 20 dB, is essential, especially considering the frequency range, and can only be achieved by increasing the performance of the components.
In the second approach, a transmitter module was developed for a frequency range around 140 GHz, combining an output power of over 100 mW with a maximum bandwidth of 20 GHz. Testing of this module is still ahead. Both transmitter modules are ideal components for developing and testing future 6G systems in the terahertz frequency range.
Please use this form if you encounter spelling errors, inaccuracies, or would like to submit a request to edit the content of this page. For general questions, please use our contact form. For general feedback, use the public comment section below (follow the rules).
Your feedback is very important to us. However, due to the high volume of messages, we cannot guarantee individual responses.
Your email address is only used to let recipients know who sent the email. Neither your address nor the recipient’s address will be used for any other purpose. The information you entered will appear in your email and will not be stored by Tech Xplore in any form.
This website uses cookies to facilitate navigation, analyze your use of our services, collect data to personalize ads, and provide content from third parties. By using our website, you acknowledge that you have read and understood our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Post time: Oct-18-2022
