The University of Michigan-Shanghai Jiao Tong University Joint Institute (UM-SJTU JI, JI hereafter) Professor Chong Han and his collaborators have published a research paper titled “High-speed 0.22 THz communication system with 84 Gbps for real-time uncompressed 8K video transmission of live events” in the esteemed academic journal Nature Communications, marking a significant breakthrough in the field of terahertz communication.
Schematic diagram of terahertz communication system
The terahertz frequency range (0.1–10 THz) has gained significant attention for its potential to deliver ultra-high transmission rates, positioning it as a key area for emerging technologies. However, practical applications of current terahertz communication systems have been hindered by challenges such as radio frequency damage and limited signal processing capabilities in baseband devices.
To overcome these obstacles, Professor Han’s research team developed and tested a 0.22 THz communication system that achieved a transmission distance of 1.26 kilometers with a speed of 84 Gbps. Their innovations included integrating terahertz wireless communication systems, designing advanced signal processing techniques for baseband devices, and optimizing parameters to improve the performance of radio frequency devices. Notably, this system was successfully deployed during the 31st Summer Universiade in Chengdu, China, enabling real-time transmission of uncompressed 8K ultra-high-definition video. This application represents a significant advancement in moving terahertz communication technology from the laboratory to practical use.
Professor Han and three scholars from the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China are co-corresponding authors of the paper.
Personal Profile
Chong Han is a tenured Associate Professor and Ph.D. supervisor at the University of Michigan – Shanghai Jiao Tong University Joint Institute. He is also appointed at the Department of Electronic Engineering at Shanghai Jiao Tong University and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Future Media Networks. In 2016, he earned his Ph.D. from Georgia Institute of Technology and joined Shanghai Jiao Tong University the same year, where he established the Terahertz Wireless Communication Laboratory. He has been conducting long-term research in terahertz wireless communication and has received several honors, including the 2024 IEEE Communications Society Early Career Award, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation’s Bessel Research Award, recognition as a Young Scholar at the Global 6G Technology Conference, and the 2023 IEEE Communications Society Outstanding Young Scholar Award for the Asia-Pacific region. He currently serves as the Secretary-General of the Terahertz Special Committee of the China Institute of Communications, Deputy Leader of the IMT-2030 (6G) Terahertz Task Group, and Vice Chair of the IEEE THz Special Interest Group. He is also on the editorial boards of journals such as IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications and IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications.
