In a significant development for the race towards 6G technology, China has reportedly surpassed Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite service, becoming the first to achieve a high-resolution space-to-ground laser transmission, setting a new benchmark in the field. The achievement is seen as a major step forward in the ongoing competition for the next generation of wireless communication technology.
According to a report by the South China Morning Post (SCMP), Chang Guang Satellite Technology Co, a commercial satellite company based in China, successfully transmitted data at an impressive 100 gigabits per second (Gbps). This marks a tenfold improvement over the company’s previous record and is a significant milestone in the development of space-based communication systems. The data was transmitted from one of the company’s Jilin-1 constellation satellites to a truck-mounted ground station, a method that does not require the use of a traditional observatory, making it a more mobile and flexible system.
The head of the laser communication ground station technology at Chang Guang, Wang Hanghang, claimed that China had surpassed SpaceX’s Starlink in the 6G race. While Starlink has revealed its laser inter-satellite communication system, Wang pointed out that the company has not yet deployed laser satellite-to-ground communication. “We think they might have the technology, but we’ve already started large-scale deployment,” Wang said, emphasising that Chang Guang had already moved beyond the experimental phase and into practical, large-scale deployment.
To put the achievement into perspective, Wang explained that the 100Gbps speed is equivalent to downloading ten full-length high-definition movies in just one second. Alternatively, the speed could be likened to upgrading a single-lane highway into thousands of lanes, offering unparalleled bandwidth for data transmission.
In addition to this groundbreaking achievement, Wang highlighted that the system developed by his company is both larger and heavier than previous similar technologies, weighing 20 kilograms. However, unlike other systems, it does not require an observatory for data reception, relying instead on a truck-based ground unit. This mobile setup makes the system more versatile and capable of faster applications, potentially leading to quicker deployment in various scenarios.
Wang also pointed to the work of institutions like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and NASA, who have previously achieved laser transmissions at speeds above 100Gbps. However, he argued that his company’s system offers a more practical and deployable solution due to its mobility and scalability. According to the plan, Chang Guang aims to deploy all satellites in the Jilin-1 constellation by 2027, further cementing China’s position as a frontrunner in the race for 6G technology.
6G, or the sixth-generation wireless communication technology, is expected to revolutionise the telecommunications industry. It promises to deliver speeds far exceeding the capabilities of 5G, with data transfer rates potentially surpassing 1 terabit per second (Tbps). This will enable lightning-fast internet speeds, ultra-low latency, and greater global connectivity, potentially transforming industries such as autonomous driving, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things (IoT).
The technology will likely utilise a combination of terrestrial, aerial, and satellite communications to achieve global coverage, making it a much more integrated network than its predecessors. 6G is also expected to operate on higher frequency bands, including the terahertz (THz) spectrum, which will provide even faster data transmission.
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This milestone comes just a day after China claimed to have established the world’s first mobile 5G base station, designed for battlefield deployment. According to the SCMP, this mobile 5G station is capable of providing high-speed, ultra-secure, and low-latency data transmission to up to 10,000 users within a 3-kilometre radius. The advancements in both 5G and 6G technologies reflect China’s growing ambitions in the global telecommunications arena.
While Starlink has not officially entered the 6G race, Musk’s company continues to focus on expanding its satellite internet network with the goal of providing high-speed internet access to underserved and remote areas. However, with China’s rapid progress in both 5G and 6G technologies, Musk may soon find himself facing new challenges in the race for global technological dominance.
As the competition for 6G heats up, it remains to be seen whether other nations or private companies will catch up to China’s advancements. Nonetheless, China’s success in achieving 100Gbps data transmission through space-to-ground laser communication marks a major milestone in the development of next-generation wireless communication technology. The world now looks to the coming years for further breakthroughs as 6G technology continues to evolve.
