China surpasses Starlink with groundbreaking 100gbps laser communication tech
A South China Morning Post (SCMP) report has revealed that China has made significant strides in developing 6G technology, achieving a record-breaking high-resolution space-to-ground laser transmission. This remarkable feat surpasses the previous record held by SpaceX’s Starlink.
Chang Guang Satellite Technology Co., a commercial satellite company, announced the successful data transmission at an impressive 100 Gbps from one of its Jilin-1 constellation satellites to a truck-mounted ground station. This achievement marks a tenfold increase in speed compared to its previous record.
Wang Hanghang, head of laser communication ground station technology, confirmed that China has overtaken SpaceX’s Starlink in deploying laser satellite-to-ground communication technology. “Although Musk’s Starlink has announced its laser inter-satellite communication system, it hasn’t deployed laser satellite-to-ground communication yet. We believe they possess the technology, but we’ve already begun large-scale deployment,” Mr. Wang explained.
The company plans to deploy all satellites in the Jilin-1 constellation by 2027. According to Mr. Wang, the 100Gbps transmission rate enables the transfer of 10 full-length movies in just one second or the upgrade of a single-lane highway to thousands of lanes.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and NASA’s TeraByte InfraRed Delivery (TBIRD) systems have also achieved laser transmission rates exceeding 100Gbps. However, Mr. Wang highlighted that his system’s payload is larger and heavier, weighing 20 kg. Moreover, the ground-receiving unit is truck-based, making it mobile and potentially leading to faster applications.
What is 6G?
The sixth generation of wireless communication technology, aptly named 6G, promises to change the way we connect. Building upon the foundations laid by 5G, 6G will integrate terrestrial, aerial, and satellite communications to achieve seamless, universal coverage.
With data speeds soaring beyond 1 Tbps and latency reduced to a mere 100 microseconds, 6G will operate on an unprecedented frequency band, leveraging the vast potential of the terahertz (THz) spectrum. This significant leap forward will unlock new possibilities for ultra-high-speed communication, redefining the future of wireless technology.
China’s tech jump
This is a significant breakthrough, as China has unveiled the world’s first mobile 5G base station designed for battlefield deployment. This cutting-edge technology, jointly developed by China Mobile Communications Group and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), promises high-speed, ultra-secure, and low-latency transmissions for up to 10,000 users within a three-kilometer radius.
According to the PLA, rigorous testing has demonstrated the technology’s reliability even in extreme conditions, including when military units were moving at speeds of 80 km/h through challenging urban or mountainous terrains and under intense electromagnetic interference.
