Taiwan Unveils First 6G Base Station Antenna System as Prof. Harald Haas Joins GLOBECOM 2025 Event
Image credit to Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI)
Professor Harald Haas, Father of LiFi technology and a leading voice in next-generation wireless communications, was honoured to attend as a guest of ITRI for this landmark occasion. Joining an impressive gathering of international 6G experts in Taipei, Professor Haas participated in supporting the ground-breaking announcement that positions Taiwan at the forefront of 6G development.
World's First 4096-Unit RIS Module
The centerpiece of the unveiling was a technological marvel: the world's first 4096-unit large-scale reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) module. This achievement came through collaboration between TITAN Telecoms Hub, JOINER Platform, and MOEA's Department of Industrial Technology.
The massive RIS module represents a quantum leap in wireless technology, featuring microsecond-level phase switching capabilities and precise beam control. Reconfigurable intelligent surfaces are widely regarded as a cornerstone technology for 6G networks, enabling dynamic control of electromagnetic waves to optimize coverage, capacity, and energy efficiency in ways never before possible.
Free-Space Optical Communications on the Horizon
Looking beyond terrestrial networks, TITAN Telecoms Hub and ITRI announced plans for an exciting new collaboration: the co-development of a free-space optical (FSO) modem specifically designed for satellite communications.
This initiative directly addresses one of the critical components of non-terrestrial networks (NTNs), which will be essential for achieving the ubiquitous connectivity promised by 6G. The FSO modem project is expected to deepen the already strong collaboration between TITAN Telecoms Hub and ITRI, bringing together expertise in optical wireless communications and satellite technology.
Taiwan's Growing Role in 6G Leadership
The announcements at GLOBECOM 2025 underscore Taiwan's strategic commitment to playing a leading role in 6G development. By bringing together domestic innovation through ITRI and international expertise represented by figures like Professor Haas, Taiwan is positioning itself as a hub for next-generation wireless technology development.
As 6G networks begin to take shape over the coming years, the integration of technologies like large-scale RIS and free-space optical communications will be crucial for delivering on the ambitious promises of 6G: ultra-reliable low-latency communications, massive connectivity, and seamless integration of terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks.
