Move Over Wi-Fi, Here Comes 60Ghz: The Background And Benefits Of 60GHz Radio Technology

As wireless connectivity becomes an increasing preference across many consumer electronics product categories, the conversation about the potential for 60GHz technology to transform the wireless A/V industry for home entertainment, personal computing and consumer electronics is picking up momentum. Consumers, industry enthusiasts and retailers are beginning to pay greater attention to 60GHz and understand its capabilities and importance.

Due to its unique characteristics, 60GHz is the ideal candidate to follow the bandwidth-challenged 2.4 and 5GHz (Wi-Fi/802.11) wireless technologies. The characteristics outlined in the following paragraphs offer operational advantages not available in the current Wi-Fi radio frequencies.

Where did 60GHz come from? Why is it different?

In 2001, the FCC (Federal Communication Commission) set aside a continuous block of 7GHz of spectrum between 57 and 64GHz, now referred to as 60GHz, for wireless communications.  At this time, the majority of the globe has allocated 7GHz of spectrum at varying points between 55 – 66GHz. Commercial implications are a major factor in this allocation, since the spectrum is now unlicensed, meaning an operator does not have to purchase a license from the FCC before building and operating equipment.

The FCC’s decision was a major catalyst for 60GHz. The worldwide availability coupled with the license exempt operation opened the floodgates for new business. This allowed for development of products and applications that will be operable and marketable in most parts of the world without encountering regulatory obstacles from country to country. Since 60GHz is unlicensed, links can be deployed without the need to purchase expensive licenses from the FCC and other worldwide agencies, or the need to submit time-consuming paperwork for permits and public notices. This fact alone makes it easier for innovative companies to launch high performance products worldwide.

Mammoth bandwidth potential

The availability of rich multimedia content is growing and is consumed in many ways, via the Internet, HDTV, etc., and consumers want to enjoy their digital content across a variety of devices. Along with more bandwidth comes the opportunity for additional applications.

Even after 802.11’s first debut ten years ago at 1Mbps, Wi-Fi technology’s highest achievable data rates are still under 1Gbps and on average are closer to 170Mbps. 60GHz offers data rates 20 times faster than today’s wireless options at 4Gbps of actual throughput! At this time, the theoretical raw data limit for 60GHz is estimated to be up to 25Gbps, so room remains to grow in this band.

Security without interference

The narrow beam width and oxygen absorption capabilities inherent with 60GHz radio waves create two unprecedented situations. Oxygen naturally absorbs 60GHz signals as they move through the air, such that information shared between 60GHz enabled devices cannot travel far beyond the intended recipient. This may limit the distance the information can travel, but it enables a manageable and secure wireless communication line that is practically immune from interference.

Another benefit is that 60GHz radio links will not interfere with other 60GHz signals, making it possible for numerous 60GHz capable radios to successfully operate within one location. Finally, 60GHz will not interfere with the 2.4 & 5GHz signals from wireless networks, microwave ovens, cordless phones and other devices in the home.

Standardizing and productizing 60GHz

Given the already-described advantages of 60Ghz, numerous implementation possibilities exist. First efforts have focused on the wireless home multimedia network. Beyond the A/V opportunity that is already speeding up in the marketplace, 60GHz industry professionals have their sights set on high speed wireless data transmission for the IT space. Future applications of 60GHz include development of laptop and PC applications that automatically sync and share data when brought into a 60GHz wireless environment.

A promising future

Wi-Fi in the 2.4 and 5GHz band, although useful for basic data transfer, is inhibited by physical limitations and is unable to achieve the data rates required to handle increasing bandwidth demand for an ever-growing set of applications. 60GHz offers the technology that will take bandwidth needs to the next level, with theoretical raw data limits of up to 25Gbps. 60GHz, with its global, unlicensed availability, huge bandwidth and its inherent properties allowing secure, high-quality, lossless transmission of massive amounts of high definition content, will have a dramatic influence on the future of consumer electronics and personal computing products.

With the first wireless 60GHz powered televisions available now in Asia and in the US and EU this summer, the evolution to modern wireless connectivity has begun. The potential for innovation is limitless at this point, with many new stories to emerge as the technology is implemented across the industry.

John LeMoncheck
SiBEAM

About the author

John LeMoncheck is president and CEO of SiBEAM, a founding member of the WirelessHD consortium, which also includes Broadcom, Intel, LG, Panasonic Philips, Samsung, Sony and Toshiba, among others. SiBEAM is the first fabless semiconductor company to build 60GHz chipsets using CMOS technology.