WiGig provides early details of 7Gbps wireless spec
updated 09:55 am EST, Thu December 10, 2009
WiGig uses 60GHz for 1-7Gbps
The WiGig Alliance on Thursday said it had completed the first specifcation for its 60GHz wireless technology. The self-titled WiGig format will use the ultra-dense format to transmit data at speeds well above Wi-Fi and beyond even the initial proposal, ranging between 1Gbps and 7Gbps. Consequently, it's 10-70 times faster than Wi-Fi and should permit features that aren't practical with current technology, such as providing DisplayPort, HDMI or even PCI Express data over the wireless link.
In spite of the added speed, WiGig will be backwards-compatible with Wi-Fi and will have support for low-power devices, opening the door to handhelds that use the added speed. While its maximum range isn't given and is likely to be short due to the susceptibility of high frequencies to interference, it will use beamforming to guarantee a distance of at least 32.8 feet, or enough for use in home theaters, computer add-ons and wireless displays.
Members should receive the standard in early 2010 and can implement the technology shortly afterwards.
In addition to unveiling its standard, the Alliance today said it has brought on AMD, Korean communication giant SK Telecom and TMC as new contributing members, while NVIDIA has been elevated to the board of directors. Intel, LG, Microsoft and Samsung were some of the founding members.
