Google has created terminals that transmit data using light

      The Taara project, developed under the supervision of Google, introduced optical communication technology that allows Internet signals to be transmitted over the air at high speed, without the need for fiber-optic cables. The new technology promises to provide speeds of up to 10 Gbit/s at a distance of up to 1 km and can become an alternative to traditional cable Internet and satellite communication systems.

      How does it work? 

       Taara uses beams of light to transfer data between two points. The first versions of the technology were presented in the form of Lightbridge devices the size of traffic lights, installed on communication towers and transmitting up to 20 Gbit/s over a distance of up to 20 km. These systems used mirrors and sensors to adjust and adjust the light signal. 

       Now Taara has significantly reduced the system: the new transmitter is only 13 mm in size (about the size of a fingernail) and controls the light beams programmatically, without mechanical elements. It uses hundreds of miniature radiators that guide, track, and adjust the signal, increasing the stability of the connection. Image: x.company

       Where will it come in handy? 

       The technology can solve the problem of slow or expensive Internet in regions where it is difficult to lay a cable.

       For example: 

      

      

       Islands and remote areas where underwater cables are susceptible to damage. 

      

      

      

      

       Cities and towns without developed infrastructure, where fiber is too expensive to lay. 

      

      

      

      

       Regions with unstable Internet, where satellite systems work worse due to the large number of users. 

      

      

       The trials and the future of Taara 

       During tests in the Moonshot Factory laboratory, the team successfully transmitted data at a speed of 10 Gbit/s over a distance of 1 km using two such chips. Taara is currently working to increase the range and capacity of the technology, planning to use thousands of emitters for an even more stable and powerful connection. 

       An important advantage is the ease of installation. If laying the cable takes months or even years, then the Taara can be installed in a few hours. 

       What's next? 

       Taara sees a future without wires. Unlike traditional 5G radio waves, which get overloaded over time, there is almost infinite bandwidth in the light spectrum. If the technology develops, it can completely replace radio signals and even satellite Internet. 

       The company is confident that the technology will be able to provide Internet in places where laying cables is economically impractical or impossible. This is especially true for hard-to-reach areas such as rivers, sea straits, mountainous areas and national parks, as well as urban areas where it is impossible to dig trenches.Image: x.company

       Taara has already deployed its technology in more than 12 countries, including the United States, India, Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, New Zealand and the Middle East. Operators and providers can quickly deploy or relocate equipment to connect new areas, maintain existing infrastructure, or temporarily strengthen the network during major events. The company hopes that this will help make the Internet more accessible and faster around the world.

       New technologies allow data transmission at speeds up to 20 Gbit/s over a distance of up to 20 kilometers*. The terminals are equipped with mirrors and sensors that direct and track the rays of light, ensuring a stable connection. To avoid interference, the equipment is installed on towers, roofs and poles. Even if the structures shift slightly due to the wind or birds fly in the path of the beam, the system automatically corrects the signal. Due to the use of the optical spectrum, the project offers 30 times more bandwidth than radio frequencies.

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      *according to the information provided on the project's website