A new chip-scale wireless system transmits data at 320 gigabits per second without using a single moving part or lens.

Current wireless communication is hitting a wall with radio frequencies that cannot keep up with modern data demands. This thin-film lithium niobate array uses light waves instead of radio waves to carry information at incredible speeds. The device is small enough to fit on a chip and can steer its beam electronically to hit multiple targets at once. This achieves speeds that are hundreds of times faster than 5G without the need for bulky equipment. Most high-speed optical systems require precise physical alignment, but this solid-state design handles everything internally. It paves the way for a future where every device has access to fiber-optic speeds through the air.