DARPA Is Working On 100 Gbps Wireless Technology With 120-Mile Range

DARPA works with some the most insanely cool projects for the military and other uses in the world. Some of the coolest projects that DARPA works on have to do with robotics and aircraft, but DARPA has many other projects in the works as well. One of those other projects is work that recently began on the development of a wireless communication system capable of 100 Gbps data transfers with a range of 124 miles.

The project is called 100 Gb/s RF Backbone or 100G for short. The goal project is to provide the US military with networks needing no wires that are about 500 times faster than the current wireless links used. The project is seeking to give soldiers in the field fast connectivity with high bandwidth and low latency you might expect from a fiber-optic network.

Currently the military uses wireless system called Common Data Link, which is secure wireless protocol used for transmitting imagery, intelligence, orders, and other secure communications. Exact specifications on the current CDL system are unknown but it is believed max out at about 250 Mbps. DARPA wants the significantly faster 100 Gbps equipment to retain the same weight and power requirements of the existing system.

To put the speed DARPA is seeking in perspective, most home networks max out at around 100 Mbps making them about 1000 times slower than the 100 Gbps DARPA wants to achieve with its wireless system. DARPA system is expected to use the KU band. While the system is being developed for the military, I can certainly see the potential use for these in the commercial environment for extending broadband access in the US to rural communities where wires are not always available.

[via Extremetech]