Conventional chips block out signals in the wrong frequency range by using microwave filters. On a light-based chip, adding a microwave photonic filter can help fine-tune the component allowing it to connect with signals at specific frequencies. This is a big deal because it allows more accurate information to be captured by the component.
In 2019, then-President Donald Trump tweeted about 6G for the U.S.
Ben Eggleton, pro-vice-chancellor (research) at the University of Sydney, says, “Microwave photonic filters play a crucial role in modern communication and radar applications, offering the flexibility to precisely filter different frequencies, reducing electromagnetic interference and enhancing signal quality,”
So to reiterate, these prototype communications chips will offer much higher RF bandwidth capabilities, and with the microwave photonic filter, they will eliminate interference in the high-band which is important because frequencies in the high-band travel only short distances but have greater energy capacity which typically causes interference.
We still have at least another seven years before 6G launches and this technology might not even be ready by then, or some other breakthrough could be invented. Still, it seems that photonic light-based communications chips for mobile devices is something to keep an eye on.
