Rohde & Schwarz and IEMN collaborate on 6G THz by bringing together electronic and photonic technologies The Institute of Electronics, Microelectronics and Nanotechnology (IEMN, Lille, France) and Rohde & Schwarz have expanded their collaboration to research THz communications that utilize photonic technologies. In a recent demonstration, IEMN reached a milestone when researchers achieved generated a 300 GHz bidirectional link over an outdoor distance of 645 m for use in future 6G backhauling scenarios. The R&S SMA100B microwave signal generator from Rohde & Schwarz was a crucial component in the performance test setup. The R&S SMA100B provides an ultra-low phase noise signal that helps accelerate THz communications research and development to ready it for industrialization.
Tx/Rx unit of the 300 GHz bi-directional 6G link over 645 m distance, France. (Image: Prof. G. Ducournau, IEMN UMR CNRS 8520 - University of Lille, France)
The door to the 6G era is now open and sub-THz communications systems up to the 300 GHz band are becoming a reality. Instrumentation, testbeds and metrology are urgently needed for these new frequencies, demanding approaches that fill the gap between the millimeterwave and optical bands.
For several years, Rohde & Schwarz and the IEMN team under Prof. Guillaume Ducournau have researched high frequency measurements and the integration of Rohde & Schwarz test and measurement solutions with photonic technologies to accelerate advances in emerging 6G technologies.
Studying new spectrum resources will help advance future wireless communications systems. Backhaul frequencies are expected to increase once the E-band communications market is saturated. Potential frequencies such as D-band (110-170 GHz) systems are expected to enter the market sometime after 2025, while H-band or sub-THz bands up to 300 GHz will come sometime after 2030. Developing new architectures and test systems to characterize mmW/THz performance at both the component and system levels is very important for these wireless trends.
Addressing the very high end of the millimeterwave spectrum (300 GHz and beyond) is very challenging on the component and system levels. Instrumentation has recently experienced several advancements, including vector network analyzers, signal and spectrum analyzer frontends and sub-systems. The IEMN performs state-of-the-art THz component and system characterization with the R&S ZNA vector network analyzer and various frequency converters covering frequencies from the millimeterwave range up to 1.1 THz like the .
Recent research collaborations in electronic and photonic technologies have proposed a super-heterodyne architecture that would enable channel aggregation from the V- band (40-75 GHz) or E-band (60-90 GHz) to the THz spectrum. The THz carrier is obtained by frequency multiplication with a photonics based local oscillator synchronized to a reference frequency. Rohde & Schwarz supported the testing team in Lille with a state-of-the-art R&S SMA100B solution that allows for ultra-low phase noise reference signal generation. This instrumentation approach enables a spurious-free local oscillator feed signal for the THz upconverter/downconverter, limiting spurious tones in THz spectra.
The system is the first to successfully integrate THz frequency duplexing and allow simultaneous transmission and reception at both ends with a single antenna pair. After validating the system performance in a lab, it was tested in Germany with two pairs of antennas over a distance of 150 m, as part of the EU-Japan ThoR project, followed by outdoor, over-the-air tests in France over a distance of 645 m with a system transmission rate of 12.6 Gbps. This is the maximum distance achieved by a THz duplexing system in the 300 GHz band.
Prof. Guillaume Ducournau, head of THz wireless communications research at IEMN, says, With our expertise in THz technologies, such as optoelectronic THz photomixers, high-speed electronic receivers and THz instrumentation, we are committed to researching new 6G areas, developing prototypes, verifying technologies and proposing advanced measurement services for our collaborators. To cope with the challenges ahead, we are glad to continue and expand our collaboration with Rohde & Schwarz and develop a solid foundation for industrialization.
Taro Eichler, technology manager at Rohde & Schwarz, says, We are delighted to collaborate with IEMN on integrating electronic and photonic technologies for THz communications and hope to extend the approach to other applications. The research findings will also provide valuable input for industry specification groups, such as the recently created ETSI ISG THz, as well as other standardization bodies.
Rohde & Schwarz actively supports 6G research activities across Europe, Asia and the US, while also contributing to research projects, the work of industry alliances, and collaborating with leading research institutes and universities. The company's test and measurement expertise and solutions are opening the door to the next generation of wireless communications for commercial deployment by the year 2030.
For more information about 6G test solutions from Rohde & Schwarz, visit: https://www.rohde-schwarz.com/6g
Europe Stories
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
02/05/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
01/05/2026
January 5 2026, 18:30 (PST) NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to ...
14/04/2026
ToolsOnAir and Omnistream Bring Mobile SRT Contribution into Professional 24/7 P...
14/04/2026
Captures a trio of renowned polysynths
The latest software to join AIR Music Tech's extensive catalogue captures the sound of three sought-after polysyn...
14/04/2026
Free offering includes 10 powerful plug-ins
United Plugins have announced the launch of a new bundle that brings together 10 of their pro-audio plug-ins, an...
14/04/2026
Julian Coryell joins virtual session player line-up
Announced at NAMM 2026, Celemony's Tonalic kits DAW users out with real performances by world-class ...
14/04/2026
X-Rite Pantone Color Academy Grand Opening in Shanghai
On March 27, 2026, X-Rite Pantone, the global authority in color standards and color science, held the...
14/04/2026
14 Apr 2026
VEON and JazzWorld Receive Competition Commission of Pakistan Appro...
14/04/2026
Tuesday 14 April 2026
Nicola Coughlan and Aimee Lou Wood to host next two episo...
14/04/2026
Lead writer and executive producer Jack Lothian joins alongside lead director Je...
14/04/2026
Wuppertal April 14, 2026
Thomas Riedel Acquires Premium Manufacturer ARRIStrategic Alignment With the Riedel Group for Innovation and Growth
Thomas Riedel, f...
14/04/2026
New Service Simplifies Integration of AI Applications with Exceptional Reliabili...
14/04/2026
Luxembourg, April 14, 2026 - SES, a leading space solutions company, today annou...
13/04/2026
ToolsOnAir Composition Builder 2026 Boilerplate
More Details: The Composition Builder 2026 application for macOS enables TV stations and Live Event broadcast...
13/04/2026
ToolsOnAr just:live pro 2026 Boilerplate
More Details: just:live pro 2026 is a Multi-Channel Live Production Playout solution for video and static or real-ti...
13/04/2026
ToolsOnAr just:play pro 2026 Boilerplate
More Details: just:play pro 2026 is a Multi-Channel automated 24/7 Master Control playout solution with SD, HD and U...
13/04/2026
ToolsOnAr live:cut 2026 Boilerplate
More Details: live:cut is an option to just:in mac pro 2025 and enables multicamera production workflows for up to 16 cam...
13/04/2026
ToolsOnAir Just In Mac Lite NDI 2026 Boilerplate
More Details: The Just In Mac Lite NDI application is a streamlined media capture solution designed specific...
13/04/2026
ToolsOnAir Just In Mac Lite 2026 Boilerplate
More Details: The Just In Mac Lite application is a streamlined media capture solution designed specifically for...
13/04/2026
ToolsOnAir just:in mac pro 2026 Boilerplate
More Details: just:in mac pro is a macOS-based client-server multichannel capture solution to record SDI, HDMI, N...
13/04/2026
Intuitive EQ plug-in gets an upgrade
Following its official launch back in February 2026, Musik Hack's intuitive EQ plug-in has been treated to its firs...
13/04/2026
Flagship soft synth collection expanded
The latest version of UVI's flagship vintage-inspired soft synth collection has just arrived, expanding the suit...
13/04/2026
Free version of innovative string library arrives
Released in October 2025, Lux Orchestral Strings was said to be Sonuscore's most ambitious library to ...
13/04/2026
The Girls' Research Camp is part of the Technology - Future in Bavaria edu...
13/04/2026
Rohde & Schwarz transforms submarine communications for real time underwater dom...
13/04/2026
Rohde & Schwarz enables Pulsar signal simulation to support next-generation navi...
13/04/2026
Monday 13 April 2026
Global environmental action NGO WRAP brings recycling to l...
13/04/2026
J nger Audio has joined the EBU ADM Implementers Group (ADM-IG) as a founding me...
13/04/2026
FOX Latin America Announces The Launch Of The FOX Channel In Central America And...
13/04/2026
No amps, no safety net The biggest challenge was the music itself. Everything in the film is acoustic and unamplified. The theme itself is kind of hard to expl...
13/04/2026
RT Radio 1 has today launched a significant step in its ongoing strategic evolution. Following the launch of its brand-new schedule late last year, RT Radio 1...
13/04/2026
The Late Late Show Opening Act, the search for Ireland's newest country musi...
13/04/2026
RT has today announced the appointment of Annemarie Britz to the position of Chief Financial Officer, RT following a public competition.
Annemarie Britz is c...
12/04/2026
Headphone system designed for immersive monitoring
With the demand for immersive audio showing no signs of slowing down, lots of companies are turning their...
11/04/2026
Engineer collective welcome Freddy Knop
Infrasonic, an award-winning collective of audio engineers operating out of Nashville and Los Angeles with credits r...
10/04/2026
After launching the Spotify Podcast Awards in Mexico last year, we brought the fan-voted celebration to Paris this week for its first edition in France. Hosted ...
10/04/2026
Powered and unpowered live PA ranges upgraded
Yamaha have just refreshed four of their hugely popular PA speaker ranges, delivering significant improvements...
10/04/2026
Underlying plug-in & VI technology now available to others
UJAM's latest announcement sees the company open up' Gorilla Engine, the development pla...
10/04/2026
Luxembourg, April 10, 2026 - SES, a leading space solutions company, announces that it has entrusted BNP Paribas with the implementation of a liquidity agreemen...
10/04/2026
What can I watch on UKTV and stream on U this week?
This week on UKTV and the free streaming service U, viewers can watch a range of new and returning programm...
10/04/2026
Five-part Sky Original drama airs nightly on Sky Mix and Sky Atlantic from 20 Ap...
09/04/2026
Staines-upon-Thames, UK, 09, April, 2026 - Yospace, the trusted leader in Dynam...
09/04/2026
just:play pro 2026 and just:live pro 2026 Sneak Preview News for NAB 2026
More Details:At NAB 2026, ToolsOnAir will showcase just:play pro 2026 and just:live p...
09/04/2026
just:in mac pro 2026 - The Next Level of Professional Recording on macOS at NAB ...
09/04/2026
Spotify has always been about putting listeners in the driver's seat. Today, people don't just want more ways to spend their time; they want that time t...
Rohde & Schwarz and IEMN collaborate on 6G THz by bringing together electronic and photonic technologies The Institute of Electronics, Microelectronics and Nanotechnology (IEMN, Lille, France) and Rohde & Schwarz have expanded their collaboration to research THz communications that utilize photonic technologies. In a recent demonstration, IEMN reached a milestone when researchers achieved generated a 300 GHz bidirectional link over an outdoor distance of 645 m for use in future 6G backhauling scenarios. The R&S SMA100B microwave signal generator from Rohde & Schwarz was a crucial component in the performance test setup. The R&S SMA100B provides an ultra-low phase noise signal that helps accelerate THz communications research and development to ready it for industrialization. 
