Graphene for wireless communication

METROGRAPH is developing a wavelength agnostic, coherent optical transmitter and receiver based on graphene photonic chips for low-cost, high bandwidth communications. The device will operate at 200 GBaud/s in the conventional band and long-wavelength band, covering the 1530–1625 nm wavelength range.

The transmitter and receiver will consist of two graphene-inte­grated IQ modulators and eight detectors. The graphene-based photonic circuits will be packaged and tested both in the lab and in a network line card with a technology readiness level of 8, together with a state-of-the-art digital signal processor. Their functionality will be demonstrated in equipment for metro and metro-regional distances of 200 to 1000 kilometres.

METROGRAPH in a nutshell

The project developed an IQ modulator and a coherent receiver to validate their design in the laboratory. They also prepared the package design for the assembly of a Nokia line card.

Sustainable development

Optical communications enable the internet and communica­tions technologies of the modern day. Furthermore, they contribute to most of the sustainable development goals agreed by the United Nations in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The internet network, which is based on optical communica­tions and wide-bandwidth communication, enables people and both public and private services to have open access to information for education, work, healthcare and more. METROGRAPH is developing advanced communications technologies which could contribute to the improvement of these networks.

About the Spearhead Projects

The Spearhead Projects are initiatives designed to increase the technology readiness level (TRL) of graphene-based technolo­gies. Each Spearhead Project is led by an industry-leading company and has specific commercial goals. They each aim to produce a high-TRL prototype or market-ready product by the end of the current phase of the Graphene Flagship in 2023.

The Graphene Flagship’s commitment to the Spearhead Projects is unshakeable: a total of one third of our funding is invested into these ventures, a bold move to maximise the impact of the Graphene Flagship in the innovation ecosystem and the European economy.