We have just gotten another step closer to the future of communication. Chinese scientists have unveiled the world’s very first all-frequency 6G chip. The chip is capable of delivering mobile internet speeds of up to 100 gigabits per second (Gbps). Researchers from Peking University and the City University of Hong Kong developed the chip. The chip marks a defining chapter in the race to develop 6G connectivity for everyone.
The 6G revolution begins with one tiny chip
The newly developed chip is no bigger than a thumbnail, with the dimensions being just 11mm by 1.7mm. The chip combines the entire wireless bandwidth. With speeds starting at 0.5 GHz and going up to 115 GHz in a single device. Normally, this range needed nine separate radio systems. By merging low-band signals and microwave bands with millimeter-wave and terahertz transmissions, the chip creates seamless switching between frequencies and optimizes both coverage and speed
“This enables reconfigurable full-link wireless communications with improved bandwidth, data rates and system functionality compared with previous photonic-assisted wireless demonstrations.”
Light-speed logic: How photonics powers the 6G chip
At the core of this advancement lies a fusion of photonic and electronic technologies. The chip uses a broadband electro-optic modulator to convert wireless signals into optical signals. These signals are then processed through optoelectronic oscillators and photonic components and generate stable signals across the entire frequency range.
“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.”
The chip’s performance is revolutionary. It achieved 6 GHz frequency tuning in just 180 microseconds. The chip’s performance is hundreds of times faster than a single blink of an eye. Its single-channel data rate exceeds 100 Gbps, compared to the average rural mobile speed in the U.S., which is around 20 Mbps, which is a huge difference.
“The device achieves multipurpose programmability and dynamic frequency adjustment, striking a balance between size, power use, and performance.”
Laying the groundwork for AI-native networks
Beyond its speed and efficiency, the chip was designed with artificial intelligence in mind. It establishes the hardware foundation for AI-native networks with systems that can dynamically adjust communication parameters in real time based on conditions in its environment.
“For the first time, it establishes a hardware foundation for a truly ‘AI-native network’—one that can dynamically adjust communication parameters via built-in algorithms to cope with complex electromagnetic environments.”
One of the most exciting features of the new technology is the potential to close the digital gap between urban and rural areas. When full-spectrum coverage is enabled, the chip could bring high-speed internet access to remote mountains, undersea locations, and even outer space.
“There is an urgent need to tackle 6G development challenges,” Professor Wang Xingjun noted. “As the demand for connected devices grows rapidly, next-generation networks must leverage the strengths of different frequency bands.”
The road ahead for 6G
While the chip is still in its early stages, the research team is already working on creating easy-to-use communication devices that are as small as a USB stick. These chips could be embedded into smartphones, drones, base stations, and IoT devices, speeding up the rollout of flexible and intelligent 6G networks.
The deployment of 6G is expected to start around 2033; however, this breakthrough brings the future much closer. China’s 6G chip stands as a benchmark of what’s possible when innovation is powered by ambition as the world prepares for an era of ultra-fast, AI-integrated connectivity. Efforts are also underway to optimize power efficiency, thermal stability, and mass manufacturing; these efforts will ensure that the chip can scale from lab prototypes to commercial-grade hardware.