Chinese scientists have developed the world’s first “all-frequency” 6G chip that could help bridge the digital divide between rural and urban communities.

The technology is capable of delivering mobile internet speeds of over 100 gigabits per second (Gbps) across the entire wireless spectrum, including those frequency bands used in remote areas, according to a study published in the journal Nature.

In practical terms this equates to being able to transmit a 50GB high-definition 8K movie within seconds – potentially opening up a range of commercial and educational opportunities to those living in remote areas.

At present the need to ensure widespread connectivity has resulted in a fragmented spectrum of frequencies and devices.

Some 5G mobile phones operate at around 3 gigahertz, satellites use 30 GHz and future applications such as holographic surgery may require frequencies up to 100 GHz, which means engineers have been forced to tackle each new challenge as it comes.

But the team of researchers, led by scientists from Peking University and City University of Hong Kong, may render such piecemeal solutions obsolete.

They said they had successfully integrated the entire wireless spectrum – 0.5 GHz to 115 GHz – into a thumbnail-sized chip, consolidating what would previously have required nine separate radio systems into a single chip.

It enables seamless switching across a massive spectrum while supporting both millimetre-wave and terahertz communications.

“There is an urgent need to tackle 6G development challenges,” Professor Wang Xingjun from Peking University told China Science Daily.

“As the demand for connected devices grows rapidly, next-generation networks must leverage the strengths of different frequency bands.


“High-frequency bands such as millimetre-wave and terahertz offer extremely large bandwidth and ultra-low latency, making them suitable for applications like virtual reality and surgical procedures.

“On the other hand, low-frequency bands like microwaves excel in wide-area coverage and penetration, making them essential for enabling network connectivity in remote mountainous regions, deep-sea environments and outer space.” Conventional wireless hardware, limited by materials and architecture, typically operates within a narrow frequency range.

Supporting full-spectrum 6G networks would require multiple independent systems, dramatically increasing cost and complexity.

Increased wireless access can also lead to congested electromagnetic conditions, complicating spectrum management and making connections less reliable.

The team adopted a photonic-electronic fusion strategy that used light’s ultra-wide bandwidth to cover frequencies that range from microwave to terahertz, according to China Science Daily.

A broadband electro-optic modulator converts wireless signals into optical ones to ensure multi-band reception. These optical signals are then processed and distributed within photonic components, while transmission is achieved through frequency mixing between two tunable lasers.

According to the paper, the units have all been integrated into the functional part of the chip, which measures just 11mm by 1.7mm (0.4 by 0.07 inch).

It said communication quality remained smooth and stable across the entire spectrum, fully meeting 6G requirements.

The system achieved 6GHz frequency tuning within 180 microseconds – hundreds of times faster than a blink of an eye. Its single-channel data rates exceeded 100 Gbps.

By contrast the average rural mobile speed in US is around 20Mbps, according to industrial estimates.

“The system can rapidly, accurately and noiselessly generate communication signals at any frequency within the 0.5-115 GHz range,” Guangming Daily reported on Thursday.

The chip also has a “frequency-navigation” system. “Should any band face interference or blockage, the system can automatically and instantly hop to a clear channel – like a seasoned driver smoothly changing lanes in traffic – ensuring continuous and uninterrupted communication,” co-corresponding author Professor Wang Cheng, from CityU, told Guangming Daily.

“A single chip now replaces what once required multiple dedicated devices, truly achieving multipurpose programmability and dynamic frequency adjustment,” added co-corresponding author Shu Haowen from Peking University. “It strikes an unprecedented balance between size, power consumption and performance.”