6G research is already underway in industry and institutions. 5G technology introduces mmWave frequencies with greater bandwidth to enable higher data transfer rates and support new applications such as wireless factory automation (Industrial IoT) and autonomous vehicles, and the goal of 6G is to further expand the limits of transmission bandwidth.

Although the specific technologies that 6G will entail are still unknown, it's already clear that frequency bandwidths will need to be expanded even further to enable data transfer rates in the terabyte range. Large, contiguous blocks of frequency are only found in the sub-THz and THz bands, that is, in the frequency range above 100 GHz. The use of THz frequencies for 6G is expected to become commercially available within the next 8 to 10 years, although Rohde & Schwarz has already presented a 300 GHz trial configuration to customers. The system was also showcased at the EuMW2019 trade fair in Paris as part of a mmWave and THz wireless communication workshop, which featured 300 GHz transmitter interfaces, the R&S SMW200A vector signal generator, the R&S FSW43 signal and spectrum analyzer, and transmitter and receiver synchronization units.

The current collaboration involves the Fraunhofer Institute for Humanities Research (HHI) and the Fraunhofer Institute for Advanced Research (IAF). The HHI is working on signal processing, transmitter-receiver synchronization, and system integration. The IAF is contributing high-performance millimeter-wave transmission and reception modules. The joint research focuses on frequencies above 100 GHz, with the primary target being the D-band (150 GHz) and H-band (300 GHz). Carrier frequencies above 300 GHz are still in a fundamental research phase. The first test unit resulting from this joint research is a system that enables signal generation and analysis at 300 GHz with a 2 GHz bandwidth. The signal can be arbitrarily modulated to conduct transmission experiments with Beyond 5G candidate waveforms, which are suitable for THz communication or for performing channel propagation measurements.

Dr. Taro Eichler, Head of the Wireless Market Segment at Rohde & Schwarz, says: “Rohde & Schwarz offers cutting-edge, innovative tools for research during the early stages of 6G development. This allows us to initiate in-depth discussions with customers and follow technical and market trends before 6G is commercialized. We are very excited about the Fraunhofer Institutes HHI and IAF and are leveraging their leading expertise in the development of networks and systems, infrastructure, and mobile communication standards. We look forward to a fruitful collaboration in the future as well.”
Dr. Wilhelm Keusgen, Head of the mmWave Group at the Fraunhofer Institute HHI, says: “As an institution committed to driving innovation for the digital society, the Fraunhofer HHI is delighted to collaborate with a leading innovation expert in the T&M industry like Rohde & Schwarz on the latest and upcoming communication technologies. Our collaboration has been enriching, and we will pave the way for the development of 6G.”
Dr. Michael Schlechtweg, Director of the High-Frequency Electronics Business Unit at the Fraunhofer Institute (IAF), says: “We are collaborating with Rohde & Schwarz, a valuable partner with cutting-edge technology and one of the first global suppliers of chipsets and electronic components capable of reaching the high frequencies required for 6G right now. IAF appreciates this highly mutually beneficial cooperation and is delighted to continue exploring new innovations with Rohde & Schwarz.”
Rohde & Schwarz conducts its 6G research on a solid foundation of mobile communications testing and measurement expertise spanning from the early stages of 2G to 5G and beyond. Pioneering activities beyond 5G began a year ago when Rohde & Schwarz set up the first channel probe for mobile communications above 100 GHz.