Graphene Integrated Photonic Transceivers (GIPT)

Mobile data traffic is predicted to grow at very high pace in the next decade. The increase of 5G users (+3.6Bn in 2026), 5G coverage (~60% of the population in 2025), and 5G per-capita speed (x13 in 2023) is challenging the existing mobile transport infrastructures.

The new 5G infrastructure will have new and smart radio antenna systems, able to deliver up to 2Gbps to single users with low latency. These will be equipped with multiple radio elements in order to perform massive multiple-in multiple-out functions, together with beam steering/forming. The intra-antenna data process cannot be performed with traditional electric transport and a new approach is needed based on optical data exchange between radio-frequency integrated circuits and digital processors.

High bandwidth density, low cost, low power consumption, and outdoor operativity are required for optical transceivers to enable such applications. Existing optical platforms cannot meet all the requirements simultaneously. A new technology is required, capable of handling large amounts of data at higher speeds whilst meeting cost per Gbps targets and minimising energy consumption.

Graphene is an ideal material for optoelectronic applications. Its photonic properties give several advantages and complementarities over other materials. GIPT will develop a graphene-integrated photonic transceiver to enable the 5G intra-antenna optical connectivity by exploiting the unique properties of graphene.

GIPT will demonstrate cost-effective, high-performance, low-power consumption, and temperature resilient, electro absorption modulators and photodetectors, ready to be taken to the next development and commercialisation steps.