South Korea’s LG Electronics showcased so called “6G” technology during the ‘2021 Korea Science and Technology Exhibition’ that was recently held at KINTEX in Ilsan, South Korea.  Specifically, LG is unveiling a power amplifier for 6G, which is jointly developed by Germany’s Fraunhofer Research and Institute.

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Author’s Note:  This news comes despite there is no definition of 6G from either ITU-R or 3GPP.  Further, 5G standards are in their infancy, with only the RAN standardized in ITU-R M.2150 (but not the frequency arrangements for terrestrial IMT in a yet to be completed revision of M.1036).

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The power amplifier is the same one that was used by LG during its 6G demo in Berlin in August 2021. At that time, LG Electronics said it has successfully demonstrated the transmission and reception of wireless “6G” terahertz (THz) data over 100 meters in an outdoor setting.  That was impressive because  THz transmission is short-range and experiences power loss during transmission and reception between antennas. This is where the power amplifier proved crucial, as it was able to generate a stable signal across ultra-wideband frequencies.

The power amplifier is capable of generating stable signal output up to 15 dBm in the frequency range between 155 to 175 GHz. LG noted that it was also successful in demonstrating adaptive beamforming technology, which alters the signal’s direction in accordance with changes to the channel and receiver position; as well as high-gain antenna switching, which combines output signals of multiple power amplifiers and transmits them to specific antennas.  LG also introduced the FDR full-duplex system which allows simultaneous transmission and reception across the same frequency band.

At the Korea exhibition, LG Electronics and Keysight Technologies (a global wireless communication test and measurement equipment manufacturer) also demonstrated ‘Adaptive beamforming’ technology that converts beam directions according to channel changes and receiver positions.

In 2019, LG established the LG-KAIST 6G Research Center in partnership with the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST).  LG and KAIST had previously partnered with U.S.-based test and measurement firm Keysight Technologies with the aim of carrying out research on future 6G technologies.

Under the terms of the agreement, the three partners will cooperate in developing technologies related to terahertz frequencies, widely seen a key frequency band for 6G communications, which have not yet been standardized. The partners aim to complete 6G research by 2024.

LG previously said that 6G is expected to be commercialized in 2029. LG also noted that future 6G technologies will provide faster data speed, lower latency and higher reliability than 5G, and will be able to bring the concept of Ambient Internet of Everything (AIoE), which provides enhanced connected experience to users.

The government of South Korea previously said it aims to launch a pilot project for not-yet-standardized 6G mobile services in 2026. The Korean government expects 6G services could be commercially available in Korea between 2028 and 2030.

The Korean government’s strategy for 6G consists of preemptive development of next-generation technologies, securing standard and high value-added patents, and laying R&D and industry foundations. The government selected five major areas for the pilot project: Digital healthcare immersive content, self-driving cars, smart cities and smart factories.

LG expects 6G communication to be commercialized in 2029, with talks for standardization beginning in 2025. “6G will be a key component of Ambient Internet of Everything, the emerging technology that aims to improve living and business environments by making them more sensitive, adaptive, autonomous and personalized to consumers’ needs by recognizing human presence and preferences,” LG said.

References:

https://www.rcrwireless.com/20211227/wireless/lg-electronics-showcases-6g-tech-south-korea

https://www.techradar.com/news/lg-demonstrates-its-progress-in-6g-technology-at-a-korean-exhibition