Chinese researchers achieve breakthrough in fiber-wireless integrated 6G communication

BEIJING: Chinese researchers have announced a major breakthrough in optical communications and 6G wireless technologies, claiming a global lead in achieving cross-network convergence between fiber-optic and wireless communication systems.

The findings, published on Wednesday in the journal Nature, detail the development of an independently designed fiber-wireless integrated converged communication system that has set new records for data transmission rates.

Bridging the ‘Bandwidth Gap’

The rapid expansion of AI data centers and the transition toward next-generation 6G wireless networks require ultra-high-speed, low-latency data transmission across diverse applications. However, fundamental differences in signal structures and hardware limitations between fiber-optic and wireless systems have long created a “bandwidth gap,” hindering seamless integration.

To overcome this challenge, a joint research team led by Peking University, in collaboration with Pengcheng Laboratory, ShanghaiTech University, and the National Optoelectronics Innovation Center, proposed a fiber-wireless integrated converged communication model.

Using an integrated photonics approach, the team developed ultra-wideband integrated photonic devices with operational bandwidths exceeding 250 GHz.

Record-Breaking Transmission Speeds

Based on these devices, the newly built system achieved single-channel transmission speeds of 512 gigabits per second (Gbps) for fiber-optic communication and 400 Gbps for wireless communication—both described as record-breaking performances.

“The new system bridges the long-standing bandwidth gap and refreshes the highest known data transmission records,” said Wang Xingjun, corresponding author of the study and vice dean of the School of Electronics at Peking University.

He added that the system supports dual-mode transmission for both fiber and wireless signals, significantly improving interference resistance and operational flexibility.

Implications for 6G and Beyond

The research team also simulated large-scale user access scenarios envisioned for future 6G networks, successfully demonstrating real-time multichannel 8K video transmission across 86 channels. The reported transmission bandwidth exceeds that supported by current 5G standards by more than tenfold.

According to Wang, the system shows strong potential for applications in 6G base stations and wireless data centers. The breakthrough is expected to provide a solid research foundation for next-generation ultra-broadband, high-speed fiber-wireless integrated communication networks.