What is 5G?
The fifth-generation for the global wireless standard is currently being commercially used worldwide. Its predecessors are in order 1G, 2G, 3G, and 4G networks.
The 5G enables a new kind of global connectivity. This new network is designed to virtually connect not only people but machines, objects, and devices.
What makes 5G standalone from the previous generations?
5G was a noticeable advance from its predecessors. 1G was capable of analog voice, 2G introduced digital voice, 3G brought us mobile data, a huge milestone in communication. In the 2010s, 4G opened us up to the age of mobile broadband. All of these are designed to provide the best connectivity available.
Do we need 5G?
There is an increase in smart devices, smart home appliances, and all sorts of new interactions, from online learning to gaming. All of these new technologies need strong connectivity and they rely heavily on internet networks.
The 5G is the best innovation for 2020. It has higher multi-Gbps peak data speeds, more reliability, a massive network capacity, and ultra-low latency. The 5G provides a more uniform user experience to a major amount of consumers.
The absolute qualitative increase of the 5G network allows for a better user experience when it comes to integrating new technologies into human life and bridging technology home.
All in all, 5G is a more unified and air interface, made with the ability to enable future generations and empower the currently deployed models, plus deliver innovative services.
5G, with its high speed, excellent reliability is expanding the networks into unimaginable fields and industries. It has made transportation safer and allowed remote health care. 5G has made agriculture more precise with digitalized logistics.
With the upcoming development of 6G, we will be able to witness a whole new technological era, closer to the sci-fi movies.
What is 6G?
6G will become the sixth generation for the global wireless standard. 6G should be the successor to 5G, with a speed exponentially faster of 95 Gigabits per second. It is expected that 6G will be a broadband cellular network just like 5G.
6G is still not a functioning network. However, interest from many major companies is palpable. Nokia, LG, Apple, Samsung, among others have shown a great deal of intrigue over 6G. Sources say that 6G will become available for commercial use by the 2030s.
Where is the 6G technology at?
There are ongoing studies that have contributed to the advance in the 6G industry. The University of California in Santa Barbara is the base for a group that assures to have made remarkable progress. They built a device that can accelerate the process of development, which would allow a considerable save of time in the design stage.
China launched an experimental 6G test satellite on the sixth of November of 2020. The device reached orbit successfully. According to the Global Times Newspaper, this satellite will represent a step forwards in regards to space communication.
Is 5G and 6G dangerous to human health?
There has been an extensive debacle about the potential harms of commercially available 5G technologies. From cancer risk, genetic damage, and cellular stress to an increase in harmful free radicals. However, every specialist in the field of study assures that 5G poses no danger to the human body.
5G works by emitting radio frequencies (RF) electromagnetic fields (EMF) or radio waves via base stations. There is no proof that exposure to low-level EMF can cause harm to the human body and no study has been able to prove that. A low band 5G, has a similar frequency range to a 4G network, of about 600-850 MHZ.
Would 6G be potentially dangerous, since it’s more powerful? It is unlikely that the level of EMF will be raised to the point where they will seriously harm humans. Some studies using high levels have shown mostly sleep disturbance, in humans.
In conclusion, as 5G, 6G is expected to be safe to be used by humans. Either way, it’s unavoidable to enter into the 6G era.
What will 6G mean in comparison to 5G?
6G will have a transmission speed three times faster, at 1 terahertz. It is expected for 6G to handle rates of up to 8, 000 gigabytes per second while possessing a lower latency and larger bandwidth than its predecessor.
The current attempts at 6G, have recorded data rates of 11 gigabytes per second, which is faster than 5G will ever be.
There is new technology being developed in order to make 6G a commercially usable technology. Generating and transmit terahertz waves has proven an expensive and rather difficult task. Therefore, a new material named photonic topological insulators (PTIs) is being used.
This new material will allow for light waves to be conducted on the surfaces and edges, instead of running through the material, this will potentiate a lighter way to redirect the stream without affecting its flow.
This terahertz technology, that will enable the use of 6G will have an enormous impact on the world as we know it. It will support artificial intelligence by boosting intra-chip and inter-chip communication. It will make cloud-based technologies a stable reality. The future of e-learning and gaming lies in the reliability of the cloud network.
Cloud-based technologies are the starting point for more advanced self-driving cars, which need to transmit information quickly for optimum navigation.
The applications for terahertz technology and its derivative 6G are endless. But, surely 6G is going to represent the shift into a futuristic society. Maybe a world of AI-powered robots, smarter home appliances, and self-driving vehicles.
