Articles tagged with "wireless-communication"
US-made wireless transceiver delivers fiber optic cable-like speeds
Researchers at the University of California, Irvine, have developed a 140-gigahertz (GHz) wireless transceiver chip capable of delivering data speeds comparable to fiber-optic cables, marking a significant advancement toward 6G and beyond. Led by Professor Payam Heydari, the team addressed the limitations of conventional chip architectures, which face exponential increases in power consumption at higher wireless speeds. They overcame the digital-to-analog converter (DAC) bottleneck by generating signals directly in the radio-frequency domain using three synchronized subtransmitters, enabling efficient data transmission without overheating. To tackle the receiver side challenges, the researchers introduced a novel hierarchical analog demodulation technique that processes complex data layers in the analog domain before digitization, significantly reducing power consumption. The receiver chip, built on a 22-nanometer architecture, consumes only 230 milliwatts while supporting transmissions in the 140 GHz range. This design not only achieves ultrafast wireless speeds but also supports mass production, potentially
IoTwireless-communication6G-technologyenergy-efficiencysemiconductor-chipsignal-processingdigital-to-analog-converterChina demo shows one whispered command could let hackers seize robots
Chinese cybersecurity researchers have demonstrated that commercial robots, including humanoid and quadruped models, are significantly more vulnerable to hacking than commonly perceived. At the GEEKCon event in Shanghai, experts showed that attackers could seize full control of robots through voice commands or wireless connections, exploiting flaws in AI-driven control systems. A key example involved a Unitree robot, costing about US$14,200, which was hijacked via a vulnerability in its embedded AI agent. Once compromised, the robot was used to spread attacks to other nearby robots through short-range wireless communication, forming a cascading chain of control breaches. The demonstration included a hostile command that caused the robot to physically strike a mannequin, highlighting the potential for robots to be weaponized and cause physical harm. This research challenges the assumption that keeping robots offline ensures safety, emphasizing the risks posed by interconnected robot clusters in public and industrial environments. Unlike traditional cyberattacks that mainly cause data or financial damage, breaches in intelligent robots carry the added danger of physical injury
robotcybersecurityhackingAIvoice-commandwireless-communicationindustrial-robotsWorld's first portable quantum radio tested by China for border troops
China has developed and begun testing what is likely the world’s first portable quantum radio device, designed to enhance military communications in challenging environments where conventional systems fail. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has trialed a 6.6-pound prototype capable of receiving radio signals from several tens of miles away, even in obstructed terrains such as valleys, dense forests, steep canyons, and remote highlands. This compact device uses a miniaturized quantum reception mechanism, shrinking the antenna array to just a few centimeters without sacrificing signal strength, allowing a single soldier to carry it easily during frontline operations. This advancement marks a significant step in transitioning quantum technologies from laboratory research to practical military applications. The PLA’s Information Support Force is accelerating efforts to integrate quantum-based communication, detection, and computing tools into their cyber operations, aiming to gain strategic advantages in future conflicts. China’s progress in quantum technology, including the recent mass production of ultra-low-noise single-photon detectors for stealth tracking, reflects growing
IoTquantum-communicationmilitary-technologyportable-radiowireless-communicationsignal-processingfield-testingWorld-first: China wirelessly runs trains carrying 38,580 tons cargo
China has successfully tested a world-first wireless rail convoy system on the Baoshen Railway in Inner Mongolia, linking seven heavy freight trains into a single convoy carrying a total of 38,580 US tons (35,000 tonnes) of cargo—equivalent to more than three times the weight of the Eiffel Tower. This innovative system, developed by China Shenhua Energy Company and partners, uses wireless signals to synchronize acceleration, braking, and spacing between trains in real time, eliminating the need for physical couplers. The virtual coupling technology allows trains to operate safely at much closer distances than traditional safety regulations permit, significantly reducing braking distances and enabling more efficient use of existing rail infrastructure. China’s motivation for developing this technology stems from the need to increase rail freight capacity without the high costs of building new tracks. With over 3.31 billion US tons of cargo transported by rail in the first three quarters of 2023, and expanding international rail links such as the China Railway Express, the country aims to
IoTwireless-communicationfreight-trainsrailway-technologyenergy-managementtransportation-innovationChina-Shenhua-EnergyNew US-made brain–computer interface runs on one tiny silicon chip
Researchers from Columbia University, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Stanford University, and the University of Pennsylvania have developed a new brain-computer interface (BCI) platform called the Biological Interface System to Cortex (BISC). This system features an ultra-thin, single-chip implant made from a 50-micrometer-thin CMOS integrated circuit that rests flexibly on the cortical surface. Unlike conventional BCIs that rely on bulky assemblies of multiple components, BISC integrates 65,536 electrodes, 1,024 recording channels, and 16,384 stimulation channels on a single chip with all signal processing, wireless communication, and power management included. The implant wirelessly transmits neural data at speeds up to 100 Mbps—over 100 times faster than comparable devices—via a wearable relay station that also provides power and Wi-Fi connectivity, enabling seamless brain-to-external device communication. The BISC platform is designed to support a wide range of applications, including epilepsy management and restoring motor,
IoTbrain-computer-interfacewireless-communicationsilicon-chipneural-databiomedical-engineeringneuroprosthetics3D-printed flexible antenna arrays achieve real-time signal stability
Researchers at Washington State University (WSU) have developed a novel 3D-printed flexible antenna array designed to maintain stable wireless signals in dynamic conditions such as bending, movement, and environmental changes. This innovation addresses a critical challenge in flexible electronics, where physical deformation often causes signal degradation. The lightweight, scalable antenna arrays can be integrated directly into structures like drone wings, aircraft surfaces, and wearable textiles, enabling high-speed, reliable communication in applications ranging from smart fabrics to aerospace. The antennas are printed using a copper nanoparticle-based ink developed in collaboration with the University of Maryland and Boeing, which enhances performance for high-end communication circuits. A key advancement in this technology is the integration of a specialized chip-sized processor that corrects signal errors in real time caused by material deformities and vibrations. This processor enables robust beam stabilization during movement, a capability not previously achieved in flexible antenna systems. Testing demonstrated that the antennas maintain stable performance under bending, humidity, temperature fluctuations, and salt exposure, while operating at
IoTflexible-antennas3D-printingwireless-communicationnanoparticle-inkwearable-electronicsdrone-communicationLaser-powered quantum radio works without electricity or antennas
Physicists at the University of Warsaw have developed the world’s first all-optical quantum radio receiver powered solely by laser light, eliminating the need for traditional metal antennas and electrical circuits. This innovative device uses rubidium atoms excited to Rydberg states by ultra-stable lasers to detect and decode radio waves. When radio signals pass through the rubidium vapor, they subtly alter the atomic electron orbits, causing the emission of faint infrared light that carries the encoded information. The system employs optical cavities to maintain precise synchronization between the lasers and atoms, enabling accurate detection of signal amplitude and phase. This approach allows the receiver to self-calibrate, sense weak fields with high precision, and operate invisibly without interfering with the radio environment. Unlike conventional receivers, the laser-powered quantum radio is non-invasive and free of metal components, making it potentially miniaturizable to fit on optical fibers for remote and discreet sensing. This breakthrough could revolutionize microwave field calibration and enable new applications such as stealth sensors and satellite-based
quantum-radiolaser-technologyquantum-sensingRydberg-atomswireless-communicationoptical-detectionquantum-technologyNew WiFi tech can accurately identify individuals without devices
Researchers at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) have developed a novel WiFi-based technology capable of accurately identifying individuals without requiring them to carry any connected devices. By analyzing the interactions of WiFi signals emitted by standard devices in the environment, the system can generate detailed representations of a person’s presence, posture, and movement, comparable to images captured by cameras but constructed entirely from radio waves. This method works even if the person’s devices are turned off, as it leverages signals from other active WiFi devices nearby, raising significant privacy concerns. The technology exploits unencrypted beamforming feedback information (BFI) regularly exchanged within WiFi networks, enabling the creation of multi-angle images that can be processed by machine learning models to identify individuals within seconds. Unlike previous approaches requiring specialized hardware, this technique uses only standard WiFi devices already present in homes, offices, and public spaces, making it easier to deploy and potentially widespread. Experts warn that this capability could allow surveillance by public authorities or companies without individuals
IoTWiFi-technologywireless-communicationdevice-free-identificationprivacy-concernssignal-analysissmart-environmentsMeta CTO explains why the smart glasses demos failed at Meta Connect — and it wasn’t the Wi-Fi
At Meta Connect, multiple demos of Meta’s new smart glasses—including an upgraded Ray-Ban Meta model and other variants—failed during live presentations, leading to visible technical difficulties. Initially attributed to Wi-Fi issues, Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth later clarified that the problems were due to resource management errors and a software bug. Specifically, when a cooking demo triggered the “Live AI” feature, it inadvertently activated the feature on every pair of Ray-Ban Meta glasses in the building, overwhelming Meta’s development server and effectively causing a self-inflicted distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) scenario. This overload was not anticipated during rehearsals, which involved fewer devices. The failed WhatsApp video call demo was caused by a previously unseen “race condition” bug, where the glasses’ display went to sleep just as the call arrived, preventing the incoming call notification from appearing. Bosworth emphasized that this bug was rare, has since been fixed, and does not reflect the product’s overall reliability. Despite the glitches
IoTsmart-glassesMetaAIwireless-communicationwearable-technologynetwork-issuesChina unveils 6G chip hitting mobile internet speeds of 100 Gbps
Chinese researchers from Peking University and City University of Hong Kong have developed the world’s first all-frequency 6G chip, capable of delivering mobile internet speeds exceeding 100 gigabits per second. This compact chip, measuring just 11mm by 1.7mm, integrates the entire wireless spectrum from 0.5 GHz to 115 GHz—traditionally requiring nine separate radio systems—allowing seamless switching between low-frequency bands for wide coverage and high-frequency bands for ultra-fast data transmission. The innovation leverages photonic-electronic fusion technology, converting wireless signals into optical ones for efficient processing, resulting in stable communication quality and rapid frequency tuning within 180 microseconds. The chip’s ability to dynamically navigate frequencies ensures uninterrupted communication by automatically switching to clear channels when interference occurs, enhancing reliability in diverse environments. It supports multipurpose programmability and dynamic frequency adjustment, making it ideal for crowded settings with many connected devices. Moreover, the device lays the hardware foundation for AI-native networks that can
IoT6G-technologywireless-communicationphotonicsmobile-internetAI-native-networksbroadband-chipAnt-inspired robots assemble bridges and stretchers outdoors
Researchers at Dartmouth College have developed modular, cube-shaped robots inspired by ants that can assemble into various structures and navigate complex outdoor environments. These robots combine rigid rods with adjustable soft strings to change shape and connect with one another, enabling them to crawl under logs, squeeze through narrow spaces, form bridges across gaps, and create scaffolds for temporary shelters. Assisted by drones, the robots can also build taller, three-dimensional structures and perform tasks such as locating and rescuing disabled modules. Although the robots successfully supported a human dummy on a stretcher formed by connected blocks, they are not yet capable of carrying people. Each robotic block contains a battery and Wi-Fi module for untethered communication and can operate for over three hours on a single charge. Motors adjust string tension to deform the blocks, and latches allow them to connect, with small individual movements combining to produce significant aggregate motion. The use of drones enhances the robots’ ability to assemble complex vertical structures, likened to a form of 3D
roboticsmodular-robotsdrone-technologyemergency-response-robots3D-printed-robotswireless-communicationrobotic-assemblyUltra-fast Airy beams keep network flowing past walls and obstacles
Researchers at Princeton University have developed a novel wireless communication system that uses ultra-fast Airy beams—curved transmission paths—to navigate around indoor obstacles and maintain uninterrupted high-speed data flow. This innovation addresses a key limitation of sub-terahertz frequency signals, which, while capable of extremely high data rates needed for applications like virtual reality and autonomous vehicles, are easily blocked by walls, furniture, or people. By combining physics-based beam shaping with machine learning, the team trained a neural network to select and adapt the optimal Airy beam in real time, allowing signals to bend around obstacles rather than relying on reflection. To enable this adaptive capability, the researchers created a simulator that models countless indoor scenarios, allowing the neural network to learn effective beam configurations without exhaustive physical testing. This approach leverages physical principles to efficiently train the system, which then rapidly adjusts to dynamic environments, maintaining strong connections even in cluttered spaces. Experimental tests mimicking real-world indoor conditions demonstrated the system’s potential, marking a significant step toward
IoTwireless-communicationneural-networkssub-terahertzAiry-beamsmachine-learningindoor-networkingShape Changing Antenna Secures Signal
MIT researchers have developed a novel flexible antenna that can maintain a strong signal connection by altering its shape. This innovation addresses the common problem of signal loss caused by movement or changes in the environment, which typically affect traditional rigid antennas. The shape-changing capability allows the antenna to adapt dynamically, ensuring consistent connectivity. The new antenna design leverages advanced materials and engineering techniques to enable flexibility without compromising performance. This technology has potential applications in various fields, including wearable devices, mobile communications, and Internet of Things (IoT) systems, where maintaining reliable signal strength is crucial despite physical deformation or movement. The research highlights a significant step forward in antenna technology by combining adaptability with robust signal transmission.
IoTflexible-antennasignal-strengthwireless-communicationMIT-researchshape-changing-technologysmart-devicesMIT creates shape-changing antenna that survives 10,000 bends
MIT researchers have developed a novel shape-changing “meta-antenna” made from auxetic metamaterials—engineered materials whose properties derive from their geometric structure rather than composition. Unlike traditional rigid metal antennas, this flexible antenna can alter its resonance frequency by physically deforming its shape through bending, stretching, or compressing. This adaptability allows one antenna to support multiple wireless protocols, making it suitable for applications such as wearable device energy transfer, augmented reality motion tracking, and wireless communication. The antenna is constructed by sandwiching a laser-cut dielectric rubber layer between conductive layers, with a flexible acrylic coating to enhance durability, enabling it to withstand over 10,000 compressions. Beyond communication, the meta-antenna’s frequency shifts can serve as a novel sensing mechanism to detect physical environmental changes. For instance, prototypes demonstrated the ability to monitor breathing by sensing chest expansion or to adjust smart curtains and headphones based on deformation-induced frequency changes. A smart headphone prototype showed a 2.6% resonance frequency shift
IoTmetamaterialsflexible-antennawireless-communicationwearable-technologyenergy-transferreconfigurable-antennaUS: 'Microwave brain' chip for ultrafast, wireless computing unveiled
Cornell University researchers have developed a novel low-power microchip dubbed the ‘microwave brain,’ which functions as a microwave neural network capable of ultrafast, wireless computing. Unlike traditional digital chips that process data sequentially, this chip uses analog microwave signals at tens of gigahertz frequencies, enabling it to handle complex tasks such as radio signal decoding, radar target tracking, and digital data processing in real time while consuming only about 200 milliwatts of power. Its design leverages programmable frequency distortions and special waveguides to detect patterns and learn from data, bypassing many conventional digital signal processing steps. The chip demonstrated high accuracy—88 percent or more—in classifying wireless signal types, matching digital neural networks but with significantly lower power and space requirements. Its probabilistic computing approach maintains accuracy across both simple and complex tasks without the increased circuitry or error correction typical in digital systems. Due to its sensitivity to microwave signals, the chip is well-suited for hardware applications like detecting anomalies in
IoTwireless-communicationmicrowave-neural-networklow-power-microchipedge-computingsignal-processingsilicon-microchipHubble Network plans massive satellite upgrade to create global Bluetooth layer
Seattle-based startup Hubble Network is set to significantly upgrade its satellite-powered Bluetooth network with the launch of two new MuSat XL satellites in 2027. These advanced satellites will feature a powerful phased-array receiver capable of detecting Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) signals at 30 times lower power than current technology, potentially extending battery life for tracking tags and sensors on Earth. The initial pair of MuSat XL satellites will provide a 12-hour global revisit time, forming the backbone of Hubble’s BLE Finding Network aimed at enterprises in logistics, infrastructure, and defense sectors. Hubble’s approach allows customers to connect devices to the network simply by integrating firmware with existing Bluetooth chipsets, eliminating the need for specialized hardware and enabling global asset tracking, including in remote areas. Hubble currently operates seven satellites and aims to expand to 60 by 2028, with plans to upgrade its entire constellation to the larger, more powerful MuSat XL platform. The partnership with Muon Space, the manufacturer of MuSat
IoTsatellite-technologyBluetooth-Low-Energyasset-trackingwireless-communicationspace-based-networkenergy-efficiency