The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is developing new quantum-accurate standards for high-frequency wireless communication, addressing the “spectrum crunch” caused by limited available frequencies. Current wireless devices operate in the UHF range, but future 5G networks will require frequencies up to 300 GHz.
NIST is working on two main approaches:
1. Quantum-accurate RF sources using Josephson junctions (JJs) to generate precise voltage standards up to 1 GHz
2. Superconducting digital circuits using SFQ pulses to generate high-frequency, quantum-accurate signals up to 100 GHz
The new standards will be essential for verifying the performance of next-generation wireless devices and networks. NIST aims to deliver a standard within two years, but faces challenges in circuit fabrication and measurement at high frequencies.
Source: https://www.nist.gov/news-events/news/2018/09/uncrunching-frequency-spectrum
Keywords: Superconducting, Frequency, Quantum, Standard, Josephson
