LG Electronics has achieved a significant milestone in the field of telecommunications by successfully transmitting and receiving 6G terahertz (THz) data over a record-breaking distance of 500 meters.
This accomplishment, which took place at the LG Sciencepark in Magok, Seoul, in collaboration with LG U+, marks the longest distance ever recorded in any 6G test conducted in an outdoor urban setting.
LG Wireless 6G Data Transmission
This achievement builds on LG's previous success in 2022, when the company demonstrated wireless 6G THz data transmission and reception over a distance of 320 meters outdoors at the Fraunhofer Heinrich-Hertz Institute in Berlin, Germany.
Through a collaborative effort with Fraunhofer, LG developed essential 6G transmission and reception equipment, including a multi-channel power amplifier and a receiver low-noise amplifier. According to the company, this collaborative effort improved performance, boosting output by over 50 percent.
The recent test at LG Sciencepark holds particular significance because it extended the wireless transmission and reception range to 500 meters - the standard distance for high-powered base stations in urban areas - and validated the practical usability of 6G in several real-world communication scenarios.
These scenarios included building-to-building, building-to-ground terminal, and ground-to-ground terminal, bringing LG one step closer to the eventual commercialization of 6G THz communications.
From 5G to 6G
The transition from 5G to 6G telecommunications promises substantially elevated data speeds, extremely low latency, highly dependable data transmission, and the seamless integration of communication with AI and sensory technologies.
Alongside facilitating immersive multimedia experiences, the advanced capabilities of 6G will be pivotal in a range of forward-looking sectors for LG. That includes autonomous driving, the metaverse, intelligent homes, and advanced manufacturing facilities.
In 2019, LG, in partnership with the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), inaugurated the LG Electronics-KAIST 6G Research Center, marking it as Korea's inaugural industry-academic cooperative research establishment.
The company maintains an ongoing commitment to fortifying its foundational 6G technologies through collaborative efforts with universities worldwide.
Furthermore, LG has entered into research and development alliances with institutions such as Germany's Fraunhofer Institute, the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS), and Keysight Technologies to propel advancements in 6G core technology.
It is also worth noting that LG stands as the solitary Korean entity to occupy the chair position within the Next G Alliance, a wireless technology consortium spearheaded by the American Telecommunications Industry Association (ATIS).
Come October, LG is set to present its accomplishments in 6G technology progression at the "LG 6G Tech Festa," an event 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," Dr. Kim Byoung-hoon, CTO and executive vice president of LG Electronics, said in a press statement.
Related Article: Samsung is Testing 6G Connectivity with Terahertz for Smartphones, Amidst Introduction of 5G in the Market
