Chip-scale optical wireless system delivers 362 Gbps speeds with lower energy use than Wi-Fi in indoor environments.
Researchers have developed a chip-scale optical wireless system that delivers ultra-fast data speeds while using less energy than conventional Wi-Fi. The technology uses light instead of radio waves, offering a way to ease pressure on crowded wireless networks .
Wireless demand continues to surge with video calls, streaming, and connected devices placing heavy loads on existing infrastructure. Current systems rely on radio frequencies, which face limits in bandwidth, interference, and power consumption, especially in dense indoor environments.The new system addresses these challenges by transmitting data through light, unlocking significantly higher bandwidth. Optical wireless communication does not interfere with radio systems and can be directed precisely, making it suitable for indoor spaces with high user density.At the core of the system is a compact chip containing an array of tiny lasers that transmit multiple data streams simultaneously. This parallel approach boosts overall capacity while keeping the hardware small enough for integration into devices or access points.Many lasers one linkThe researchers used a 5 × 5 array of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers, or VCSELs, each capable of sending its own signal. These semiconductor lasers are already widely used in data centers and can operate at high speeds with good efficiency.By running multiple lasers in parallel, the system significantly increases total data throughput compared to a single light source. In testing, 21 lasers were active, each delivering between 13 and 19 gigabits per second.Combined, the system achieved an aggregate data rate of 362.7 gigabits per second over a two-meter free-space link. This places it among the fastest chip-scale optical wireless transmitters demonstrated so far.The setup uses a modulation technique that splits data into multiple frequency channels, allowing efficient use of bandwidth while adapting to signal conditions. Researchers noted that speeds could go even higher with faster receivers.Shaped beams cut interferenceManaging multiple light beams introduces challenges, especially when signals overlap. To address this, the team designed an optical system that shapes and directs each beam into a defined area.A microlens array first aligns the light from each laser, while additional optics distribute the beams into a structured grid. This minimizes overlap and ensures that each signal remains distinct at the receiver.Tests showed more than 90 percent uniformity in illumination across the target area at a distance of two meters. This makes it possible to assign different beams to different users in the same space.The researchers also demonstrated multiuser operation by running several beams at once. In one test with four simultaneous links, the system maintained stable connections and delivered a combined data rate of about 22 gigabits per second.Energy efficiency is another key advantage. The system consumes about 1.4 nanojoules per bit, roughly half that of comparable Wi-Fi technologies. This could help reduce power demands as data usage continues to grow.Rather than replacing existing networks, the technology is designed to complement them. It could be deployed in offices, homes, or public spaces to offload traffic from radio systems while delivering faster and more efficient connections.The study was published in Advanced Photonics Nexus.
High-Speed Data Lifi Optical Wireless Semiconductors VCSEL Wireless Networks
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