New Chip Scale Laser Array Achieves Ultra Fast 362 Gigabits Per Second for Energy Efficient Indoor Wireless Networks

Researchers develop a tiny 5x5 laser array capable of 362.7 gigabits per second, using 50% less energy than Wi-Fi for indoor optical wireless links.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 31, 2026, 3:42 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from SPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics

Harnessing Light to Solve Radio Frequency Congestion

As global demand for wireless data continues to surge, traditional radio-based technologies like Wi-Fi and cellular networks are facing critical limitations in bandwidth and energy efficiency. A promising alternative has emerged in the form of optical wireless communication, which utilizes infrared light instead of radio waves to transmit information. This approach offers significantly higher bandwidth and eliminates interference with existing electronic systems. According to a study published in Advanced Photonics Nexus, a new chip-scale transmitter can now deliver massive data loads within indoor spaces such as offices and hospitals. This technology is designed to complement existing networks by offloading high-capacity traffic to precise, light-based links.

The Architecture of a Millimeter Scale Laser Array

At the core of this technological breakthrough is a custom-engineered 5x5 array of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers, commonly known as VCSELs. These semiconductor lasers are highly valued for their ability to operate at extreme speeds while maintaining a compact physical footprint. The entire 25-laser array fits on a chip measuring less than one millimeter, making it small enough for integration into consumer electronics like smartphones or compact ceiling-mounted access points. Each laser in the array is individually addressable, allowing the system to transmit multiple independent data streams simultaneously. This parallel operation is what allows the device to surpass the capacity limitations of single-source optical transmitters.

Achieving Record Breaking Throughput in Free Space

In experimental trials conducted over a two-meter distance, the system demonstrated an aggregate data rate of 362.7 gigabits per second. While 21 of the 25 lasers were active during testing, individual units achieved speeds ranging between 13 and 19 gigabits per second. The researchers utilized advanced modulation techniques to divide data into various frequency channels, optimizing the available bandwidth for maximum efficiency. Interestingly, the study noted that the recorded speeds were actually constrained by the limitations of the commercial sensors used for measurement. According to the research team, the transmitter architecture is capable of even higher performance if paired with faster receiving hard...