6G hardware technologies

6G is expected to bring about a significant leap in data speed, capacity and energy- efficiency. Furthermore, 6G is poised to offer new sensing functions with applications such as weather prediction and traffic management as well as more accurate positioning capabilities.

We need new technological innovations to support the demanding requirements and features of 6G networks, and to bring about new applications in next-generation 6G telecommunication, space communication, radar-based sensing solutions, and the metaverse.

Additionally, the growing demand for digital services has led to an exponential increase in energy consumption. Without more energy-efficient solutions, communication networks will consume a significant portion of the world's energy in the future. Energy-efficient technologies, architectures and solutions play a key role in reducing overall energy consumption and are fundamental to building more sustainable communication systems.

At VTT, we bring together a unique blend of expertise in material, technology and component development for 6G telecommunication. Combining our know-how with a world-class infrastructure, global networks and business understanding, we help our customers throughout the entire product development cycle, from research to piloting to early implementation.

Long-term research and development are at the heart of our expertise. Our commitment to the systematic development of cutting-edge communication technologies means security and continuity for our customers.

We lead the way in the development of low-noise amplifiers, high-performance filters and smart antennas. Many of our technologies are already deployed in mobile phones and communication networks.

RF filters: 

Filters suppress unwanted interference across the used frequency spectrum, allowing different wireless systems and operators to co-operate without interfering with each other. 

Acoustic RF filters, the key components of mobile phones, offer excellent frequency selectivity and very high performance in miniature size. They convert the RF signal to an acoustic signal and back via the piezoelectric effect. 

At VTT, we combine deep know-how of device design with state-of-the-art materials research to tackle the technical challenges of the future. 

Our RF filters have very low losses (Q in thousands), excellent frequency selectivity and extremely small dimensions (< 1 mm²). 

• We develop RF filters including bulk acoustic wave (BAW) and integrated passive devices (IPD) 
  • Velocity of signal propagation down by factor of 1e-5 
  • Propagation length down by factor of 1e-5 
  • Device size down by factor of 1e-5 
  • BAW ~ 1 mm2 vs. ceramic ~1 cm² per filter 
     

Antennas: 

High-performing, size-optimised antennas are the true work horses of any wireless system. 6G Massive MIMO (multiple input, multiple output) antennas are used to direct signals to intended directions and to help deal with possible interference sources, which improves the overall capacity and quality of the wireless system. 

RF MMICs: 

At VTT, we conduct world-class research and development of RF integrated circuits for mobile communication, ranging from components and circuits to sub-systems. 

• Sub-systems 
  • RFID, MMID, short range communication, sensing, imaging, radars, test systems, low power wireless electronics, radio astronomy receivers, Earth remote sensing and more. 
• Circuits 
  • Receivers, transmitters tunable and switchable phase shifters, amplifiers, cryogenic MMICs, switch networks, mixers, multipliers and more. · 
• Components 
  • Antennas, switches, transistors, varactors, filters, tuners, matching networks, inductors, baluns and more. · 
• Technologies
  • CMOS, InP, GaAs, SiGe, GaN, IPD, LTCC, PCB technologies with partners such as Fraunhofer IAF, Infineon, IHP, OMMIC, ST Microelectronics and Global Foundries.
     

Integrated photonics and RF solutions: 

Combining integrated photonics and RF solutions enables very high bandwidth solutions that deal with massive amounts of data. Together, the technologies mitigate phenomena associated with large bandwidths such as beam squinting. 

At VTT, we develop hardware for optical signal processing in wireless RF communications applications. 

Analog computing for AI: 

Analog computing for AI is at the heart of energy efficiency. Applications that require large scale matrix computation, such as image processing or MIMO detection, benefit greatly from the speed and energy efficiency of analog computing. 

Dedicated analog neuromorphic computing hardware integrated with sensor readout and control electronics is an optimal solution for ultra-low power Edge AI as it saves energy in data transmission, analog-to-digital conversion and computing itself. 

Novel and sustainable materials and components for AI applications: 

Future AI applications require computations with an ever-increasing amount of data. Analog, in-memory computing could enable combined speed and energy consumption improvements ranging from 100 times to 1000 times as compared to currently available state-of-the-art digital solutions. 

Networks of ferroelectric transistors can be used to both perform analog neuromorphic computations and to store the output values. 

Integration and advanced packing solutions: 

Integration and advanced packing solutions are needed for tackling stringent size and performance requirements. 

Integrated passive devices (IPD), terahertz regime silicon waveguides, low temperature co-fired ceramics (LTCC) and MMIC modules are examples of clever technologies that work in harsh environments and offer high performance with low loss as well as multiple functionalities packed into a compact size.

• How can I make our 6G hardware more energy-efficient? 
• How can I manufacture very small sized filters with high performance cost efficiently? 
• How to be more cost-effective? 
• How can I improve our wireless data transmission? 
• How can I move terabits from one location to another in a matter of seconds?