KAUST Advances Saudi Arabia's Position In Global 6G Technology Race

By 2025, over 50 billion devices will be connected online. These range from those managing city electric grids to personal gadgets used for social media. This vast number and the data they handle were unimaginable a decade ago. The key difference now is advancements in telecommunications technologies.

5G and the upcoming 6G networks are revolutionising data availability, allowing gigabytes of data to be accessed almost anywhere globally with just a button press. These technologies are crucial for the seamless transmission of large amounts of data.

The collaboration involves ongoing funding for two KAUST telecommunications programs. One program explores free-space optics (FSO), while the other focuses on developing reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS). Both technologies are deemed essential for realising 5G and 6G capabilities.

FSO refers to communication where a laser sends signals through free space, such as air or outer space, to a detector without using cables. This method faces challenges like increased attenuation with higher frequency signals, especially since 6G operates at frequencies of at least 100 GHz.

This technology assesses how weather affects signal transmission, aiming to create a detailed database of events in Saudi Arabia. This database will explain why communication outages occur, their frequency, and duration. Such information helps strategically place base stations and set up backup systems for failures.

Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS)

RIS offers another solution to signal loss issues. In urban areas, base stations are often located on building rooftops. Instead of this traditional setup, RIS uses an array of cells that can be electronically reconfigured. Each cell usually consists of metal, insulator, and semiconductor layers.

This configuration is expected to play a significant role in enabling access to 6G networks. By enhancing signal strength and reliability, RIS technology addresses the challenges posed by high-frequency signals.

Positioning the Kingdom as a Leader

KAUST is positioning Saudi Arabia as a leader in 6G technology. The institution attracts companies to invest and scientists to test their research within the Kingdom. This strategic move aims to place Saudi Arabia at the forefront of telecommunications advancements.

"The industry has identified both technologies as critical for achieving 5G and 6G," according to experts involved in these projects.

The continuous development and implementation of FSO and RIS technologies highlight Saudi Arabia's commitment to advancing its telecommunications infrastructure. By investing in these cutting-edge solutions, the Kingdom aims to ensure robust and reliable communication networks for the future.

With inputs from SPA