Photonic chips have the ability to calculate the optimal shape of light for next-generation wireless systems, according to a groundbreaking study conducted by Politecnico di Milano, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, the University of Glasgow, and Stanford University. Published in Nature Photonics, the research has paved the way for the development of photonic chips that can mathematically determine the best shape for a beam of light to pass through any environment, even if it is unknown or constantly changing.
The sensitivity of light to obstacles has long been a challenge in optical wireless systems. Similar to how we perceive objects through frosted glass or fogged-up glasses, data-carrying light beams in optical wireless systems become distorted and extremely difficult to retrieve when encountering obstacles. However, the newly developed silicon chips function as smart transceivers, leveraging mathematical calculations to determine the optimal shape of light for efficient transmission through any environment.
These compact silicon chips work in pairs, independently calculating the ideal shape for a beam of light to pass through a generic environment with maximum efficiency. Additionally, they have the ability to generate multiple overlapping beams, each with its own unique shape, without interference. This innovative technology significantly enhances the transmission capacity, a crucial aspect for next-generation wireless systems.
Francesco Morichetti, Head of the Photonic Devices Lab of Politecnico di Milano, explains the benefits of their chips: Our chips are mathematical processors that make calculations with light very quickly and efficiently, almost with no energy consumption. The optical beams are generated through simple algebraic operations, essentially sums and multiplications, performed directly on the light signals and transmitted by micro-antennas directly integrated on the chips. This technology offers many advantages: extremely easy processing, high energy efficiency, and an enormous bandwidth exceeding 5000 GHz.
The shift towards analog technologies is gaining momentum due to the increasing volume of digital data. While digitization allows for complex processing, the energy and computational requirements become less sustainable as data volume grows. Analog computing, particularly optical processors, shows promise in numerous application scenarios, including mathematical accelerators for neuromorphic systems, high-performance computing, and artificial intelligence. Marc Sorel, Professor of Electronics at Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, emphasizes the significance of analog computing using optical processors in various systems that demand high-speed processing of vast amounts of data.
The findings of this research have far-reaching implications. Not only do these photonic chips offer a solution to the distortion of light caused by obstacles, but they also have the potential to revolutionize telecommunications, positioning systems, quantum computing, and cryptography. The chips’ capacity for processing large amounts of data rapidly and efficiently makes them invaluable in the development of 5G and future 6G wireless interconnection systems.
With the ability to calculate and optimize the shape of light for optimal transmission in any given environment, these photonic chips bring us closer to a future where optical wireless systems can overcome obstacles and deliver seamless connectivity. The potential benefits include faster and more efficient wireless networks, enhanced data transmission, and improved overall performance. As the world eagerly awaits the rollout of next-generation wireless systems, these breakthrough technologies provide a glimpse into the transformative possibilities that lie ahead.
