While most of the world is still using the 4G networks and some tech companies have just released 5G networks, China is breezing past the competition as it is testing 6G wireless technology that is said to be 100 times faster than the 5G of American technology.
China successfully launched the first-ever 6G communication test satellite on November 6 from Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in Shanxi to test how 6G networks would perform in space. The 6G networks expand from the 5G millimeter-wave frequency to terahertz frequency, EurAsian Times reported.
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The Shift to 6G
The 5G network promises mass connectivity, ultra-reliability, and guaranteed low latency. However, there is a limit to what 5G can do until 2030 and beyond.
This is where the 6G wireless communication networks will enter: To provide "global coverage, enhanced spectral/energy/cost efficiency, better intelligence level and security, and many more, EurekAlert! reported.
New Chinese research has outlined four major paradigm shifts that are needed for a 6G network. The long-form review is entitled "Towards 6G wireless communication networks: vision, enabling technologies, and new paradigm shifts."
It is co-written by first and corresponding author Professor Xiaohu Yu, and corresponding author Professor Chengxiang Wang from Southeast University in China, along with 48 other experts and scholars from various scientific research institutes, colleges, and private companies around the world.
Paradigm Shifts
The article talked about the vision in 6G that will have four new paradigm shifts. The first one is for 6G to no longer be limited to terrestrial communication networks to achieve the requirement of global coverage.
This will be complemented with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) communication networks to accomplish the space-air-ground-sea integrated communication network.
Next, to further increase data rates, and connection density it will explore all spectra. This includes the sub-6 GHz, millimeter wave (mmWave), terahertz (THz), and optical frequency bands.
Third, 6G networks will allow a new range of smart applications with the help of AI and big data technologies to accommodate the big data generated from using extremely heterogeneous networks, new service requirements, wide bandwidths, and a large number of antennas.
Lastly, network security is also of importance, so it has to be strengthened when developing the 6G networks, reports EurekAlert!
100x Faster Than American Technology
China has been testing 6G networks. They have launched a 6G satellite to test the terahertz communication application in space since November 6.
EurAsian Times reported that this marks a breakthrough for China in the exploration of terahertz space communication technologies in the space field.
The science and technology ministry of China already formed a team that will begin working on the research about the 6G wireless telecom technology, marking its official launch.
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