6G 통신용 광학 및 옵트로닉스의 사업 기회 : 전송, RIS, 수신, 케이블, 처리, 튜닝, 냉각, 자기급, 센서 : 시장, 기술(2027-2047년)

Summary

You have huge opportunities from the fact that optics and optronics in many forms are essential to the future success of wireless communications. A new, commercially-oriented report uniquely covers all of this including latest research advances through 2026, constantly updated. It is the 500 page, Zhar Research report, “6G Communications Optics and Optronics Opportunities in Transmission, RIS, Reception, Cable, Processing, Tuning, Cooling, Self-Powering, Sensors: Markets, Technologies 2027-2047” . Think of such things as optical data transmission at far IR and visible frequencies, Optical Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces ORIS and processing, near-infrared Passive Radiative Cooling PRC, future fiber optic cable and alternatives.

Ubiquitous optics and optronics enables 6G Phase Two

Although 6G will mostly launch in 2030 with minimal infrastructure expenditure, just performance improved by radical advances above the physical layer, a largely-optical Phase Two will be essential to meet the original promises and reverse the decline in sales of client devices. Those promises include Tbps data rates, sub ms latency, native AI, native sensing and native precise positioning, ten times the client density of 5G, all sufficient to serve the ambitions of real-time brain-computer interfaces, superlative robotics, holographic communication, immersive extended reality XR and so much more. For these, transmission must widely add at least 0.1-0.3 THz and visible light communication.

Optics essential for 6G reach and Tbps

There will be much more fiber optic intermediary, a major advance here being achievement of 450Tbps (50 million movies simultaneously) with regular cable in London in 2026. The poor geographical, indoor and aerial coverage of 5G will be eased by making much infrastructure self-powered using near IR/ visible light photovoltaics and by assets becoming optically transparent for invisibility/ acceptability in more locations, including active Optical Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces ORIS in the propagation path increasing range and adding many new services. Highest-speed processing and RIS tuning with optronics are also in the frame.

Optics coping with more heat

As with 5G, 6G will again bring need for higher power and operation in hotter regions, both incurring need for more cooling. Here a strongly emerging option is optical. It needs no power and it combines light reflection with emission of near-infrared directly into space through the “atmospheric window”. Call it Passive Radiative Cooling PRC.

Up-to-date PhD level analysis

The Executive Summary and Conclusions (63 pages) is complete in itself – the basics, 17 key conclusions, summary infograms, 13 SWOT appraisals, prioritisation of best materials, roadmaps, and 45 forecast lines/ graphs with explanation. The Introduction (49 pages) puts it in context, giving eight candidates for increasing adoption of optics/ optronics for 6G. With data, it warns that the mismatch of planned and researched 6G frequencies may invite usurpers. Building blocks such as metamaterials are introduced together with some possible results including optically transparent smart windows and cladding acting as 6G RIS or 6G reflect arrays also cooling the building. See likely radical advances in 6G materials and understand the strong 6G trend from components-in-a-box to smart materials and metasurfaces with SWOT. Many examples of relevant academic research advances from 2026 and 2025 are given.

Chapter 3. Optical Wireless Communications involving infrastructure and client devices for 6G (36 pages), using new infograms, reveals how this is very much a 3D opportunity. Here are optical networks between ground, High Altitude Platform Stations HAPS and satellites. See 1Tbps optical ground stations with Airbus examples. Then learn OWC relevance to 6G Communications including Visible Light VLC to smartphones and research advances through 2025 and 2026. The toolkit covered includes future OWC lasers, laser diodes, photodetectors and other OWC photonics revealed in 2026 research.

Chapter 4. Optical Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces ORIS and optical tuning for 6G including advances in 2025 (71 pages) gives basics then broad coverage including potential in space, underground and underwater and the distributed DRIS option. There are SWOT appraisals, parameter comparisons and a frank assessment of ORIS challenges. RIS enhanced OWC vehicular networks and mobile environments are here plus laser stratospheric and space communications with RIS technology. See short range and indoor OWC and its RIS with latest research advances. The toolkit covered includes LiFi, metalenses and mirror arrays. Chapter 5. Near Infrared Passive Radiative Cooling PRC (Passive Daylight Radiative Cooling PDRC) (130 pages) describes, appraises and predicts this relatively new technology that will cool 6G assets such as base stations and active RIS without moving parts or attendant warming (vapor compression currently heats cities up to 3C and is too expensive: 6G will do better). Even cooling apparel and buildings are relevant as 6G vanishes into the fabric of society.

Chapter 6 is concerned with much more of the optical toolkit relevant to 6G. It is called “Optical Signal Processing OSP, photovoltaics including as multifunctional 6G infrastructure and client devices, Far IR THz waveguides and cable, fiber optics, optronic sensors” (97 pages). There is much critical assessment, appraisal of latest research, SWOTs, infograms, identified gaps in the market and views of the future. Required materials are detailed, assessed and prioritised based on latest advances. See far infrared THz waveguides and long-distance fiber. Also appraised for 6G are optronic sensors: photonic, infrared, LIDAR, optoelectronic memtransistors, photoelectric, photovoltaic. The report closes with Chapter 7. 35 companies involved in 6G materials and hardware: products, plans, patents, Zhar Research appraisals: 2025-6. These profiles focus on 6G relevance.

The Zhar Research report, “6G Communications Optics and Optronics Opportunities in Transmission, RIS, Reception, Cable, Processing, Tuning, Cooling, Self-Powering, Sensors: Markets, Technologies 2027-2047” guides you to create one-billion-dollar businesses from these added-value materials, device and system opportunities without being superficial or out-of-date.

Table of Contents

1. Executive summary and conclusions

• 1.1 Purpose and focus of this report
  • 1.1.1 General
  • 1.1.2 Infogram: 6G optical, optronic opportunities with infrastructure and client devices 2026-2046
  • 1.1.3 Infogram: increasing adoption of optics/ optronics for 6G – nine candidates
  • 1.1.4 Lessons from analysis of 245 latest researches and recommendations
• 1.2 Methodology of this analysis
• 1.3 17 conclusions for 6G Communications systems and hardware with 10 infograms
• 1.4 12 SWOT appraisals
  • 1.4.1 SWOT appraisal of 6G adding sub-THz, THz, near infrared and visible frequencies
  • 1.4.2 SWOT appraisal of Optical Wireless Communications for 6G
  • 1.4.3 SWOT appraisal of visible light communication VLC
  • 1.4.4 SWOT appraisal of 6G RIS
  • 1.4.5 SWOT appraisal Simultaneous Transmission And Reflection STAR-RIS
  • 1.4.6 SWOT appraisal of 6G RIS for Optical Wireless Communication OWC
  • 1.4.7 Two SWOT appraisals of Passive Daytime Radiative Cooling PDRC, variant and materials prioritisation analysis
  • 1.4.8 SWOT appraisal of Optical Signal Processing for 6G
  • 1.4.9 SWOT appraisal of photovoltaics for 6G Zero Emission Devices ZED
  • 1.4.10 SWOT appraisal of terahertz far infrared cable waveguides in 6G system design
  • 1.4.11 SWOT appraisal of fiber optics in 6G system design
• 1.5 6G systems, materials and standards roadmaps in six lines 2026-2047
• 1.6 Market forecasts for 6G materials, hardware, context 2026-2046 in 45 lines, graphs, explanation
  • 1.6.1 Overview
  • 1.6.2 Optical and optronic 6G materials and device market 2026-2047
  • 1.6.3 6G fully passive metamaterial reflect-array market OWC and total $ billion 2029-2047
  • 1.6.4 6G RIS value market $ billion: active vs four semi-passive categories by frequency 2026-2047
  • 1.6.5 Optical and total thermal management material and structure for 6G infrastructure and client devices $ billion 2026-2047
  • 1.6.6 The three main types of solid-state cooling $ billion 2026-2047
  • 1.6.7 Terrestrial radiative cooling performance in commercial products W/sq. m 2025-2047
  • 1.6.8 Smartphone and successor billion units sold globally 2025-2047
  • 1.6.9 Market for 6G vs 5G base stations units millions yearly 2025-2047
  • 1.6.10 Market for 6G base stations market value $bn if successful 2029-2047
  • 1.6.11 Thermal meta-device market $ billion 2027-2047 by two application segments including infrared

2. Introduction

• 2.1 Overview: lessons and planned 6G hardware anatomy
  • 2.1.1 Lessons from the evolution of wireless communication
  • 2.1.2 The 1G to 6G journey seeking higher performance
  • 2.1.3 Why 6G must come in two phases and the second will be largely optical
  • 2.1.4 Situation with primary 6G infrastructure and client devices by type
  • 2.1.5 Detail on 6G Phase One
  • 2.1.6 Progressing to 6G Phase Two: spectrum, objectives, ISAC, SWOT
• 2.2 How many optical and optronic technologies are essential for 6G success
  • 2.2.1 Overview
  • 2.2.2 Increasing adoption of optics/ optronics for 6G – eight candidates
  • 2.2.3 Mismatch of planned and researched 6G frequencies may invite usurpers
  • 2.2.4 SWOT appraisal of Optical Wireless Communications for 6G
  • 2.2.5 SWOT appraisal of Visible Light Communication VLC
  • 2.2.6 Optically transparent smart windows and cladding with near IR cooling, 6G RIS or 6G reflect arrays
• 2.3 Likely radical advances in 6G materials
  • 2.3.1 Strong 6G trend from components-in-a-box to smart materials and metasurfaces with SWOT
  • 2.3.2 The place of metamaterials in 6G including optical
  • 2.3.3 SWOT appraisal for metamaterials and metasurfaces generally
  • 2.3.4 Electrically-functionalised transparent glass for 6G OTA, T-RIS
  • 2.3.5 Optical quantum computing for 6G
• 2.4 Further reading – academic research advances through 2026 and

3. Optical Wireless Communications involving infrastructure and client devices for 6G

• 3.1 Optical Wireless Communication OWC including latest research
  • 3.1.1 OWC scope and potential with latest research advances
  • 3.1.2 Optical Satellite Networks between satellites and aircraft to satellite
  • 3.1.3 Optical ground stations: Airbus examples
  • 3.1.4 OWC relevance to 6G Communications: studies through 2025-6
• 3.2 Optical 6G Communications including 2025 research
  • 3.2.1 General
  • 3.2.2 Infogram: Importance of optical/ optronic communication hardware in 6G
  • 3.2.3 Infogram: OWC with fiber optics in a potential Tbps 6G network adding far IR (THz), near IR and visible light
  • 3.2.4 Relevant latest research
  • 3.2.5 Application in 6G Non-Terrestrial Networks: activity of 6G-NTN
• 3.3 Client devices for 6G gain more optical technology
  • 3.3.1 Human interfaced: smartphones, other
  • 3.3.2 Progress expected 2027-2047
  • 3.3.3 Research in 2025 on VLC to a smartphone and VLC processing
• 3.4 Future OWC lasers, laser diodes, photodetectors and other OWC photonics revealed in 2026 research
  • 3.4.1 Lasers
  • 3.4.2 Future 6G OWC LED, laser diode, photonic receiver and other devices and materials

4. Optical Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces ORIS and optical tuning for 6G including advances in

• 4.1 Overview
  • 4.1.1 Definitions, terminology, basics
  • 4.1.2 Optical tuning for GHz, mmWave and subTHz RIS with 2026 advances
• 4.2 Optical Communication RIS called ORIS with SWOTs
  • 4.2.1 Overview6
  • 4.2.2 ORIS benefits and the Distributed RIS DRIS option
  • 4.2.3 ORIS challenges
  • 4.2.4 SWOT appraisal of 6G RIS for OWC
  • 4.2.5 SWOT appraisal of visible light communication
• 4.3 ORIS implementation procedures
• 4.4 Long range, underground, underwater and space OWC: RIS: latest research advances
  • 4.4.1 General
  • 4.4.2 RIS enhanced OWC vehicular networks and mobile environments
  • 4.4.3 Hybrid RF-FSO RIS
  • 4.4.4 Underwater UOWC systems
  • 4.4.5 Underground OWC needing RIS
  • 4.4.6 Laser stratospheric and space communications with RIS technology
• 4.5 Short range and indoor OWC and its RIS: latest research advances
  • 4.5.1 Indoors and short range in air
  • 4.5.2 Leveraging other indoor and short-range outdoor systems such as LiFi with RIS
• 4.6 Metalenses for 6G including latest advances
• 4.7 Mirror array ORIS design and application with latest advances

5. Near Infrared Passive Radiative Cooling PRC (Passive Daylight Radiative Cooling PDRC)

• 5.1 Overview with 6G requirements, SWOT appraisal, 2027 maturity curve
• 5.2 PRC basics: Definition, origin, purpose, six aspects compared
• 5.3 Materials analysis 2025, 2026 including paint and multi-mode, multifunctional PRC advances
  • 5.3.1 Overall materials analysis with commercial implications
  • 5.3.2 PRC paint and color without compromise
  • 5.3.3 Aerogel and porous material approaches
  • 5.3.4 Environmental and inexpensive PRC materials development
  • 5.3.5 Advanced thermal insulation for PRC: polymer, ceramic, 3DP
• 5.4 Emerging PRC applications: datacenters, buildings, water harvesting, solar panels, apparel, flexible electronics, other
  • 5.4.1 Overall opportunity and progress including proposals for datacenters
  • 5.4.2 PRC for buildings, solar panels and windows: progress in 2025-6
  • 5.4.3 Textile, fabric, wearable PRC: commercial implications of 2025-6 advances and SWOT
  • 5.4.4 PRC cold side boosting power of thermoelectric generators in 2026 and earlier
  • 5.4.5 Cooling of photovoltaics: solid-state options in context 2026 and earlier
  • 5.4.6 Other 2025-6 research related to PRC
• 5.5 Profiles of 12 manufacturers of PRC
• 5.6 Further reading
• 5.7 Variants on PRC overcome shortcomings

6. Optical Signal Processing OSP, photovoltaics including as multifunctional 6G infrastructure and client devices, Far IR THz waveguides and cable, fiber optics, optronic sensors

• 6.1 Overview
• 6.2 Optical Signal Processing OSP for 6G
  • 6.2.1 Definition
  • 6.2.2 Devices involved
  • 6.2.3 SWOT appraisal of Optical Signal Processing for 6G
  • 6.2.4 OSP and allied advances through 2026 relevant to 6G
• 6.3 Place of optics and optronics in 6G energy harvesting
  • 6.3.1 13 energy harvesting technologies with place of optics, optronics for 6G
  • 6.3.2 6G personal device, active RIS and UM MIMO base station power demands matched to energy harvesting options
  • 6.3.3 Electromagnetic energy harvesting toolkit by frequency: place of photovoltaics
  • 6.3.4 Energy harvesting system improvement strategies including photonics compatibility with “massless energy” with SWOT
  • 6.3.5 Significance of Zero Energy Devices ZED in 6G Communications infrastructure and client devices
  • 6.3.6 Device architecture
• 6.4 How photovoltaics and variants are very important for 6G
  • 6.4.1 Experience curve showing fastest cost reduction, efficiency improvement, PV for 6G SWOT
  • 6.4.2 Massive power increases ahead: basics and latest research progress including triple junction
• 6.5 Design and materials of 6G waveguides and cables with SWOTs and latest research advances
  • 6.5.1 Uses and options
  • 6.5.2 THz graphene, PTFE, PBVE, PP, PE/PP, LiNb, InAs, GaP with two SWOTs and latest research advances
  • 6.5.3 Future fiber optic intermediary for 6G with SWOT: silica, sapphire, PBTP, PE, PI, FRP
  • 6.5.4 Photonics defined radio to cable and photonic integration for THz 6G
  • 6.5.5 SWOT appraisal of fiber optics in 6G system design
• 6.6 Optronic sensors: photonic, infrared, LIDAR, optoelectronic memtransistors, photoelectric, photovoltaic

7. 35 companies involved in 6G materials and hardware: products, plans, patents, Zhar Research appraisals: 2025-6

• 7.1 Overview: Likely 6G hardware landscape with examples of manufacturers and patenting trends, Apple, Intel, Cisco
  • 7.1.1 Rapidly changing situation 2025-6
  • 7.1.2 Examples of material patenting and literature trends
• 7.2 AGC Japan
• 7.3 Airbus Europe
• 7.4 Alcan Systems Germany
• 7.5 Alibaba China
• 7.6 Alphacore USA
• 7.7 China Telecom China Mobile, China Unicom, Huawei, ZTE, Lenovo, CICT China collaboration
• 7.8 Ericsson Sweden
• 7.9 Fractal Antenna Systems USA
• 7.10 Greenerwave France
• 7.11 Huawei China
• 7.12 ITOCHU Japan
• 7.13 Kymeta Corp. USA
• 7.14 Kyocera Japan
• 7.15 Metacept Systems USA
• 7.16 Metawave USA
• 7.17 NEC Japan
• 7.18 Nokia Finland with LG Uplus South Korea
• 7.19 NTT DoCoMo and NTTJapan
• 7.20 Orange France
• 7.21 Panasonic Japan
• 7.22 Pivotal Commware USA
• 7.23 Qualcomm USA
• 7.24 Samsung Electronic South Korea
• 7.25 Sekisui Japan
• 7.26 SensorMetrix USA
• 7.27 SK Telecom South Korea
• 7.28 Sony Japan
• 7.29 Teraview USA
• 7.30 Toptica Germany
• 7.31 Vivo Mobile Communications China
• 7.32 VTT Finland
• 7.33 ZTE China