Building compact, low-loss antennas for the distributed 6G networks of tomorrow

David Klerebladh, Industrial PhD Student, Gapwaves / Chalmers University of Technology. Picture: Magnus Lundin

As 6G networks move from research to reality, the hardware that will carry them is still being invented. The ENTOURAGE project – a collaboration between Gapwaves, Ericsson, Gotmic and Chalmers University of Technology, funded by Vinnova – is developing the key components of a complete sub-THz transmitter frontend: antenna arrays, phase shifters and power-efficient amplifiers integrated into a multi-channel transmitter, operating in the D-band (110–170 GHz). Built on Gapwaves’ gapwaveguide technology, the goal is hardware that is compact, low-loss and efficient enough for the dense, distributed deployments that 6G demands – from smart factories to crowded urban environments.

Future 6G networks will need to deliver very high data rates to many users simultaneously, often within limited areas such as dense urban environments. At the same time, these networks must become more energy-efficient, since energy consumption is a growing challenge as wireless infrastructure continues to expand.

To achieve these higher data rates, large bandwidths are required. One way to access such bandwidths is by operating at very high carrier frequencies. However, signals at these frequencies typically have shorter range and often require line-of-sight conditions. A promising solution for 6G is therefore to deploy many small, distributed access points that cooperate in a distributed multiple-input multiple-output (D-MIMO) network. By bringing antennas closer to users, coverage can be improved while also enabling the use of higher carrier frequencies. This approach allows for more efficient use of both spectrum and energy, while meeting the increasing data demands expected in future 6G systems.

Within the ENTOURAGE project, David Klerebladh, Industrial PhD student at Gapwaves / Chalmers University of Technology, focuses on designing antenna systems based on gapwaveguide technology that operate at sub-THz frequencies, specifically in the D-band (110–170 GHz). The aim is to develop compact, low-loss, and energy-efficient hardware solutions suitable for dense 6G deployments.

Where this technology will make a difference

This technology is particularly relevant in environments where many users need to be connected at the same time, such as shopping centers, airports, public transport hubs, and sports arenas. In these scenarios, networks must support high data traffic with reliable and low-latency communication.

Beyond consumer connectivity, the technology is highly relevant to industrial settings. Future factories are expected to rely on large numbers of sensors, machines, and robots that continuously exchange data and collaborate with AI-based systems. In such settings, wireless links must provide high capacity, reliability, and minimal delay to ensure efficient and safe operation.

The ENTOURAGE project builds on Gapwaves’ gapwaveguide technology for millimetre-wave applications. For a deeper technical overview of the project, read the project description. Or if you’d like to discuss how our antenna technology can support your development work, contact us.