LG Successfully Transmits, Receives 6G THz Data in Outdoor Test
Updated: Dec 18, 2023
LG has just achieved a substantial breakthrough in telecommunications research and development.
The tech giant on Thursday, 28 September announced the successful wireless transmission and reception of 6G terahertz (THz) data over 500 metres, setting the record for the longest distance recorded in a 6G test conducted in an outdoor, urban environment.
The test was conducted at LG Sciencepark in Magok, Seoul in collaboration with LG U+, the mobile network operator owned by LG Corporation.
LG previously conducted a similar test in 2022, when it sent and received 6G THz data wirelessly over a distance of 320 metres outdoors at the Fraunhofer Heinrich-Hertz Institute in Berlin, Germany. The South Korean appliance maker worked in tandem with Fraunhofer to develop the core equipment for the test, including a multi-channel power amplifier and receiver low-noise amplifier, which reportedly helped optimise performance and improve output by more than 50%.
The recent test at LG Sciencepark, however, is more noteworthy because the transmission and reception distance of 500 metres is the standard distance for high-powered base stations in urban settings. That means the test verifies the usability of 6G in "real world" communication scenarios, which could include building-to-building, building-to-ground terminal and ground-to-ground terminals. It also underscores LG's advancements towards the commercialistation of 6G THz telecommunications.
When it comes to the benefits of 6G over 5G, the future network standard is expected to enable significantly increased data rate and ultra-low latency, resulting in high-reliability data transmission and seamless communication. It'll facilitate next-level multimedia experiences, which LG says would be crucial for several of its future businesses, including autonomous driving and mobility solutions, the metaverse as well as smart homes and smart factories.
But 5G will remain the current network standard for at least five more years. LG expects discussions on 6G network standardisation to begin around 2025, with commercialistation slated for 2029.
In October, LG looks to share its breakthroughs in 6G technology development at the LG 6G Tech Festa, which will be co-hosted by LG U+.
"We will continue to cooperate with research institutions and tech companies, and conduct our own advanced R&D, to dominate 6G standard technology and solidify our technological leadership in this important field," said Dr. Kim Byoung-hoon, CTO and Executive Vice President of LG Electronics.
LG announced the successful wireless transmission and reception of 6G THz data over 500 metres, setting the record for the longest distance recorded in a 6G test conducted in an outdoor, urban environment.
The tech giant previously conducted a similar test in 2022, when it sent and received 6G THz data wirelessly over a distance of 320 metres outdoors.
The recent test, however, is more noteworthy because the transmission and reception distance of 500 metres is the standard distance for high-powered base stations in urban settings.