China's breakthrough for 6G mobile networks

China has begun large-scale deliveries of advanced gallium nitride (GaN) semiconductors, which will form the backbone of the future integrated space-to-ground 6G network. Interestingly, these third-generation semiconductors do not use a silicon substrate, yet they combine superior performance and cost-effectiveness.

The 6G mobile network is said to be perfect for quickly transferring huge amounts of data!

More and more countries and companies are rapidly moving towards the next generation of mobile connections, where the integration of satellite, air and ground systems will play a key role. To realize this vision of a new information network, more advanced materials are necessary, as traditional silicon can no longer keep up with the demands brought by higher frequencies and powers. In response to these challenges, Chinese experts have developed and launched into mass production radio chips based on gallium nitride. This is the first time in the world that such high-tech semiconductors have entered commercial use on such a large scale, with the initial supply for smart terminals exceeding five million units.

Gallium nitride's key advantage over conventional silicon lies in its wide-energy-bandwidth physical structure. This allows components to withstand significantly higher voltages and temperatures while operating extremely efficiently at radio frequencies critical for the upcoming 6G mobile networks. The chips in this series feature high power, exceptional linearity in amplifiers, and ultra-wide bandwidth, precisely meeting the stringent technical requirements for space-to-ground communications.

The development of these breakthrough components is the responsibility of the No. 55 Research Institute under the auspices of CETC and its subsidiary Nanjing Guobo Electronics. The successful transition from laboratory prototypes to mass production solves the long-standing challenges of industrializing high-end radio chips. The new semiconductors will be embedded in smart devices that will support a comprehensive connectivity infrastructure, enabling advanced functions such as satellite signal augmentation on smartphones in areas without terrestrial signal.

The technology will also be crucial for mobile law enforcement, emergency response systems, drones, urban air mobility, and commercial space programs. All of which, of course, gives China a strong strategic position, as the country controls about 99 percent of the world's production of low-purity primary gallium.