China has begun large-scale deployment of gallium nitride semiconductor chips designed for a future space-air-ground integrated 6G communications network, marking what state media described as the first commercial application of the technology on a mass-production scale.
According to reports, around five million gallium nitride chips have been delivered for use in smart terminals that will form part of the planned communications network linking satellites, aircraft and ground-based infrastructure.
The chips were developed by the China Electronics Technology Group Corporation's 55th Research Institute and its subsidiary Nanjing Guobo Electronics.
State media said the semiconductors would support the development of next-generation communications systems, commercial space programmes, low-altitude aviation applications and emergency communications networks.
Industry analysts said the technology could be used in advanced smartphones and specialised communication devices capable of connecting directly to satellites in areas where conventional cellular coverage is unavailable.
The chips are based on gallium nitride, a third-generation semiconductor material known for operating efficiently at high frequencies, temperatures and voltages. Engineers combined gallium nitride with a silicon-based platform to reduce production costs while maintaining high performance.
According to the report, each smart terminal will use a gallium nitride power amplifier chip to transmit signals to satellites and ground stations, making it a key component of the planned integrated communications network.
Researchers said the chips provide high power output, improved energy efficiency, ultra-wide bandwidth and greater reliability, characteristics considered essential for future 6G communications and satellite connectivity.
The report said development teams spent years overcoming technical challenges related to chip design, material preparation, manufacturing processes and reliability testing before achieving commercial-scale production.
Beyond terminal devices, the technology is also expected to support satellite payload systems, data transmission modules and ground gateway stations.
China is the world's largest producer and exporter of gallium, a strategic metal used in advanced semiconductor manufacturing. Beijing has imposed strict export controls on gallium and related products in recent years amid growing competition in advanced technologies.
Several research institutes under CETC, including the 55th Research Institute involved in the project, have previously been placed on the United States Commerce Department's entity list because of their links to China's defence sector.
The latest development comes as China accelerates investment in 6G research and satellite communications infrastructure in an effort to strengthen its position in next-generation telecommunications technologies.