Specialists from the Kazan National Research Technical University named after A.N. Tupolev — KAI have created an innovative device that combines optical and radio technologies. This is the first compact system capable of simultaneously determining the direction and speed of a radio signal source, converting radio waves into optical signals.
This device will accelerate data processing in 5G and 6G networks by tens of times, while significantly reducing energy consumption.
Our development opens up new opportunities for the development of wireless communication and navigation systems. The use of optical technologies for processing radio signals allows achieving exceptional accuracy and speed with minimal energy costs. This is especially important for the development of 5G/6G technologies, where processing huge amounts of data in real time is required.
The system developed by specialists is based on the use of radio-photonics technologies. Unlike traditional electronic devices, this innovation is capable of operating in an ultra-wide frequency range — up to 40 GHz, which provides new prospects for high-speed information transmission.
One of the key advantages of the new technology is its compactness. According to scientists, the transition from discrete optoelectronic components to photonic integrated circuits will consistently reduce the size and cost of such systems.
The system can be useful in various fields: from navigation of sea and air vessels to monitoring traffic on high-speed railways.
The application of this technology is especially relevant in modern wireless communication systems and in the space industry, where equipment compactness and high information processing speed are important.
Russia has launched the production of basic 4G and 5G stations running on software created in our country. In 2025, it is planned to launch their mass production.
In December of this year, the first 5G pilot zone appeared in the Moscow 5G demo center in the Smart City pavilion at VDNH. Developers will have the opportunity to test their solutions using the latest Russian stations.
Read materials on the topic:
A zone for testing a system for searching people via Wi-Fi will be created in Novosibirsk
A 4G network for government structures on Russian "hardware" has been launched in Moscow
Russian base stations for 5G and 4G: production will begin in 2025
