Chinese scientists achieve breakthrough in long-distance terahertz wireless communication

Chinese scientists have successfully transmitted high-definition video signals over kilometers using terahertz wireless communication technology, marking the world's first case to apply superconducting terahertz receivers to long-distance wireless communication systems.

Terahertz waves refer to electromagnetic waves with wavelengths between 3,000 and 30 micrometers, sitting between microwaves and optical infrared frequencies. Research into the terahertz range deepens the understanding of fundamental scientific questions in physics, astronomy, and information science. Applications for terahertz technology span various fields, including astronomical observation, biomedical science, and data transmission, with significant implications for cutting-edge research, national economic development, and security.

The experiment was carried out from Sept 27 to Oct 1 at the submillimeter-wave astronomical observation base at an altitude of over 4,000 meters located on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. Researchers from the Purple Mountain Observatory under Chinese Academy of Sciences led the experiment with other teams.

"For example, if we see microwave communication as a two-lane road, then terahertz communication, due to its broader and richer spectrum resources, is like expanding that road to six or eight lanes. The significance of the superconducting detection technology we used this time lies in its high sensitivity. It's like having better-performing cars on this wider road, with almost no energy loss, allowing the signals to travel much farther," said Li Jing, researcher at the Purple Mountain Observatory.

This experiment has fully demonstrated the unique advantages of using superconducting receivers in terahertz communication, laying critical technical foundation for future space and air-to-ground high-capacity terahertz communication, as well as the construction of a multi-disciplinary platform at the submillimeter-wave observatory.

Chinese scientists achieve breakthrough in long-distance terahertz wireless communication

Chinese scientists achieve breakthrough in long-distance terahertz wireless communication

The 26th China Hi-Tech Fair, which ran from Thursday to Saturday in south China's tech hub of Shenzhen, featured the debuts of over 4,300 new products and technologies.

One of the most eye-catching exhibits is an intelligent drone camera that doesn't require a remote control. It can take high-resolution pictures hovering at a certain distance above its owner after a facial recognition process.

"A great merit of the drone is it's portable, safe and convenient. The fully enclosed structure can effectively avoid visual obstacles for its 8K video camera. It is easy for customers to learn how to use the drone. It can fly at a speed up to 42 kilometers per hour. So it can be used during traveling and outdoor activities," said Song Yulong, an exhibitor.

Another highlight at the fair is a coffee robot capable of making latte art based on images uploaded to its system.

Besides daily products, the fair also presented many innovative solutions to production facilitation, such as a large language model that can quickly come up with dozens of design proposals based on a few pictures.

"For example, I upload the pictures of this pair of shoes and an armor, and then it can make a design based on just these two pictures. It can generate a specific and practical product design according to style references and modeling inputs," said Li Jiaxiang, another exhibitor.

The annual China Hi-Tech Fair, inaugurated in 1999, is the largest and the most influential science and technology fair in China.

This year's event attracted nearly 5,000 companies and organizations from over 100 countries and regions. More than 1,000 purchasing delegations around the world visited the fair, and more than 400,000 professional visitors negotiated deals at the fair.

It witnessed the signing of 869 contracts with their intended transaction volume surpassing 120 billion yuan (about 16.8 billion U.S. dollars).

New technologies, products shine at China Hi-Tech Fair