Soitec and NTU Singapore announce 6G GaN milestones
Soitec and Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) will announce the successful results of their joint four-year research program into next-generation 6G connectivity during Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2026.
Soitec and NTU Singapore’s collaboration has produced three technical papers demonstrating the high performance of GaN devices on Soitec’s epitaxial (EPI) wafers.
The shift to 6G technology increases power density, bandwidth and energy-efficiency requirements for devices and components, posing particular challenges for compact form factors, such as smartphones and connected wearables. In this context, the research published by Soitec and NTU Singapore highlights the growing potential for GaN-on-Silicon to complement GaAs technologies in next-generation RF front-end modules for smartphones and other mobile devices.
By using Soitec’s specialised GaN-on-Silicon epitaxial substrates developed at Soitec Belgium, the joint NTU–Soitec research team demonstrated record-level Power Added Efficiency (PAE) at low voltage required for handset battery and frequency performance at FR3 and mmWave frequencies. Notably, NTU researchers achieved PAE levels exceeding 50 percent at FR3 frequencies, confirming the suitability of these substrates for highly integrated, energy-efficient RF solutions.
They say these results underline the ability of GaN-on-Silicon to combine high RF performance with the cost, scalability and integration advantages of silicon platforms, a combination that is increasingly attractive for the smartphone industry as it prepares for 6G. Compared with traditional GaAs-based solutions, GaN-on-Si can support higher output power, improved thermal management and reduced system complexity, while enabling smaller and more efficient RF front-end designs.
Together, these breakthroughs pave the way for more compact and energy-efficient 6G base stations, as well as next-generation mobile handsets, while accelerating the maturation of the global GaN ecosystem across both infrastructure and consumer markets.
Christophe Maleville, aenior executive VP for innovation, CTO at Soitec, commented: “This research clearly demonstrates the cornerstone role advanced engineered substrates will play in enabling 6G technologies. Our collaboration with NTU Singapore confirms that GaN-on-Silicon can deliver outstanding RF performance while meeting the cost, scalability and integration requirements of future mobile devices. By pushing the limits of efficiency and frequency operation, we are not only preparing the RF front-end of tomorrow’s smartphones, but also accelerating the global GaN ecosystem across both infrastructure and consumer applications.”
Soitec will be showcasing these 6G breakthroughs at Mobile World Congress 2026.
