China unveils universal full-spectrum 6G chip

China makes another move in the telecommunications race with the presentation of a universal 6G chip, a prototype capable of operating across the entire wireless spectrum and designed to work in virtually any network scenario.

The device, developed by teams from Peking University and City University of Hong Kong, reaches speeds of over 100 gigabits per second and works from 0,5 to 115 gigahertz, something that until now required multiple specialized modules.

What has been achieved

The Asian team has presented a full frequency chip that covers, continuously, Low bands, millimeter waves and the terahertz threshold, maintaining a stable transmission throughout that range.

The size of just 11 x 1,7 mm, the piece integrates into a single component functions that previously required up to nine different systems, which opens the door to more compact, less expensive and easily upgradeable hardware in terms of chip manufacturing.

In laboratory tests, the solution exceeds the 100 GbpsWhich would allow you to transfer a 50GB movie in a matter of seconds and promote advanced education, health or entertainment services even where today the average is around 20 Mbps.

The authors emphasize that the demonstration, published in Nature, points to More flexible and congestion-resistant 6G networks, a key requirement in high-density settings such as stadiums or large events.

How it works: photonics + electronics

The basis of the advance is in a photonic-electronic architecture: a Electro-optical modulator converts the radio signal into light pulses that are managed within the chip by tunable lasers and optoelectronic oscillators.

This approach takes advantage of the enormous bandwidth of the optical spectrum to generate signals stable anywhere between 0,5 and 115 GHz and change frequencies in just 180μs, avoiding interference or saturated bands on the fly.

The chip is manufactured in thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN), a material with high electro-optical interaction, reduced optical losses and great reconfiguration capacity, which favors its energy efficiency and industrial scalability.

Compared to traditional architectures, this integration minimizes the need for dedicated hardware per band, simplifies the signal chain and facilitates software updates of radio functions, which is essential in 6G.

Uses and challenges ahead

Due to its versatility, the chip It could be incorporated into mobile phones, base stations, routers, drones, industrial sensors and IoT platforms., maintaining link quality when thousands of devices compete for the same spectrum.

In addition to the speed jump, it lays the foundation for networks “AI natives”, capable of reconfiguring themselves in real time to optimize coverage, latency and consumption, and even combining communications with environmental sensing functions.

The system incorporates a “frequency navigation” which automatically selects the least congested channels, helping to maintain data throughput in complex interiors or mobility situations.

Researchers are already working on modules plug-and-play the size of a USB stick for easy deployment, but they remember that key steps are still missing: large-scale testing, interoperability, standardization, and new infrastructure.

At this stage, we are talking about a laboratory-validated prototype; the industry is considering 2030 as the likely horizon for commercial adoption of 6G, so 5G will remain the mainstay of connectivity for several years to come..

The combination of full spectrum, ultra-fast switching and integrated photonics outlines a broader, more efficient and adaptable generation of networks, called to promote critical services and reduce access gaps in different environments.