Technology


Digital signal processing development improves bandwidth ten-fold


Researchers at Bangor University’s Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Centre have found a cost-effective way to improve the performance of networks that provide mobile services and broadband in a much kinder way to the planet. Because of the technique’s simplicity, it requires less energy to transmit data, reducing the environmental impact. Te process involves using DSPs to


transform complicated, non-linear, low-speed optical transmission systems into simple, linear, high-speed ones, achieving a ten-fold increase in bandwidth of commercially- installed access networks. Demos proved the technique’s feasibility over 100km distances. “Using advanced digital signal processing,


we are manipulating the way in which signals are processed in the receiver to compensate for the effects that usually limit bandwidth and transmission distance. Tis approach could be used to upgrade existing networks without requiring considerable changes to be made to them,” said Professor Jianming Tang, Director of the DSP Centre at Bangor University, North Wales. “We are now looking at how this


[Image: Intermedia] Caption


A researcher at Bangor University’s Digital Signal Processing Centre


approach could be further integrated with the DSP Centre’s other cutting-edge techniques to provide additional network security by detecting unauthorised changes to the network and unauthorised access to the data, which is of paramount importance these days. Te approach also allows cheap and low-power consumption solutions to be introduced in new networks,


capable of satisfying the unprecedented technical requirements associated with 5G and beyond.” Te DSP Centre at Bangor University has


secured £3.9m from the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh government, and a further £3m from the North Wales Growth Deal, to invest in expansion and new equipment,and create up to 40 new jobs.


BT’s new quantum radios promise to boost next- generation 5G and IoT networks


BT has turned to atoms to deliver over 100-times greater sensitivity in 5G receiver antennas compared to traditional receivers. Te pioneering trial of a new hyper-sensitive quantum antenna is using excited atomic states to significantly boost the capability of next-generation communications and IoT networks, in turn making applications such as smart cities and smart agriculture run more efficiently and at lower cost. Atomic RF receiver technology is a new


way of detecting radio waves that picks up much weaker signals than conventional receivers. Te receiver works by using a quantum effect called “electromagnetically- induced transparency” to form a highly- sensitive electric field detector. It has the potential to offer tuneable operation starting


at very low frequencies, reducing the need for more electronics. Te new technology could in future form the basis of ultra- sensitive 5G receivers for very-low-power passive mobile networks. BT’s trial on its EE network represents


the first time a digitally-encoded message has been received on a 3.6GHz (5G) carrier frequency. Previously, simple audio has been received using much higher frequencies, however this trial is the first industrial demonstration using digital modulation in a mobile phone operator’s main commercial 5G frequency range. Teoretically, the atomic RF receiver


can be part of a passive optical receiver in hard-to-reach locations, potentially bringing mobile networks closer to achieving


100% coverage and helping to close the connectivity divide. Researchers at BT Labs in Martlesham are


now working to miniaturise the equipment and find the optimum RF modulation and signal processing for potential use in future generations of radio networks. “BT’s investment in cutting-edge R&D


plays a central role in ensuring the UK remains a network technology leader. Our programme has huge potential to boost the performance of our next generation EE network and deliver even better service to our customers. Although it’s early days for the technology, we’re proud to be instrumental role in developing cutting- edge science,” said Howard Watson, BT’s CTO.


www.electronicsworld.co.uk July/August 2022 05


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