UV LEDs reach 1.5 Gbps in record wireless data transmission

Researchers at the Ferdinand-Braun-Institut (FBH) in Berlin have developed far-ultraviolet (UV) LEDs capable of achieving a record 1.5 Gbps data rate in wireless optical communication.

The technology operates at wavelengths below 235 nm, where sunlight creates virtually no background interference at the Earth's surface. This makes far-UV particularly promising for reliable outdoor optical communication and could allow it to complement conventional radio-frequency systems.

Why UV Communication Matters

Visible and infrared optical communication can be affected by sunlight, which makes outdoor data transmission more challenging. In contrast, UV-C radiation below 280 nm is largely absorbed by the Earth's atmosphere, creating a so-called solar-blind spectrum.

This could make UV optical links useful for drones, autonomous vehicles, industrial robots, civil protection systems, and other connected equipment, particularly in environments where RF spectrum is becoming increasingly crowded.

How the LEDs Achieve Higher Speeds

The researchers divided the LEDs' emitting surface into many smaller sections. This reduces junction capacitance and increases current density, allowing the devices to achieve higher modulation bandwidth than LEDs with larger emitting areas.

Researchers from the University of Strathclyde and the University of Cambridge used the LEDs to build a wireless optical communication system. In a direct line-of-sight experiment, it transmitted data over 30 cm at 1.5 Gbps, even under normal ambient lighting.

The researchers say the result demonstrates the potential of far-UV LEDs for high-speed optical communication both indoors and outdoors.

The findings have been published on IEEE Xplore.