This Optical Wireless System can reach 362 Gbps with low energy consumption, making future wireless communication more efficient.
A team of researchers at the University of Cambridge Li-Fi Research and Development Centre has developed a chip-scale optical wireless communication system capable of delivering extremely high data speeds while consuming less energy than traditional wireless technologies. By using light instead of radio waves, this new approach offers a promising solution to the growing strain on conventional wireless networks caused by increasing demand from video streaming, virtual meetings, and connected devices.
Unlike current systems that rely on radio frequencies, often limited by bandwidth, interference, and energy efficiency, this technology transmits data through light, enabling significantly higher capacity and more precise signal control. This makes it especially well-suited for indoor environments where many users compete for connectivity.
At the heart of the system is a compact chip equipped with an array of tiny semiconductor lasers known as vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs). These lasers are capable of high-speed operation with strong energy efficiency. In this design, multiple lasers operate simultaneously, each transmitting its own data stream. This parallel transmission method greatly boosts total throughput while keeping the hardware small enough for integration into everyday devices.
In testing, 21 lasers were activated, each achieving speeds between 13 and 19 gigabits per second. Together, they delivered a combined data rate of 362.7 gigabits per second across a two-meter wireless link, making it the fastest of its kind. The system also uses advanced modulation techniques to divide data into multiple frequency channels, improving bandwidth efficiency and adaptability.
To prevent interference between overlapping light beams, the researchers incorporated a beam-shaping optical system. A microlens array aligns the laser outputs, while additional optics organize the beams into a structured grid. This ensures consistent signal separation and uniform coverage, with over 90 percent illumination uniformity at the receiver.
The system also demonstrated multiuser capability, maintaining stable connections across several simultaneous links. Importantly, it operates at about 1.4 nanojoules per bit. Rather than replacing existing networks, this technology is designed to complement them, helping reduce congestion while delivering faster, more efficient wireless connectivity.
