An agreement between the Wi-Fi Alliance and the Wireless Gigabit Alliance is now allowing the Wi-Fi Alliance to create new specs and standards and adopt the 60-GHz frequency band for Wi-Fi.
Today’s Wi-Fi bands operate within 2.4-5 GHz bands and are measured in low hundreds of megabits per second. The new 60GHz frequency will allow speeds in the gigabits per second range of 1 gigabit per second to 6 Gbps, in contrast to Wi-Fi speeds at the moment of 150 Mbps for 802.11n.
Advantages of the 60GHz Frequency Band
Moving to the 60GHz frequency for Wi-Fi may be the first step toward helping consumers go truly wireless, says Xavier Ortiz, an analyst at ABI Research. The main advantage of the 60GHz band is its ability to support much higher data rates. This is particularly beneficial for applications that require large amounts of data to be transferred quickly, such as high-definition video streaming, virtual reality, and large file transfers. The increased speed can significantly reduce latency, making real-time applications more responsive and efficient.
Moreover, the 60GHz frequency band is less congested compared to the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, which are commonly used by many household devices such as microwaves, cordless phones, and Bluetooth devices. This reduced congestion can lead to more stable and reliable Wi-Fi connections, especially in densely populated areas where interference is a common issue.
Challenges and Limitations
However, the main drawback with 60GHz is that the higher frequency waves have a much shorter range and will not be able to go through walls, acting like a beam of light and using line of sight. This limitation means that while the 60GHz band can provide incredibly fast speeds, its effective range is limited to the same room or a very short distance. This could necessitate the use of multiple access points within a home or office to ensure comprehensive coverage.
To address these challenges, hybrid routers capable of switching between the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 60 GHz bands are being developed. These routers will intelligently switch frequencies based on the user’s location and the type of data being transmitted. For instance, a device streaming a 4K video in the same room as the router might use the 60GHz band, while a device in another room might switch to the 2.4GHz or 5GHz band to maintain a stable connection.
Routers able to switch between the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz and the 60-GHz band should be available within the next two years. This development will provide users with the flexibility to enjoy high-speed internet without compromising on coverage.
Additionally, the adoption of the 60GHz frequency band could pave the way for new technological innovations. For example, it could enable more advanced smart home systems, where devices communicate with each other at high speeds, enhancing automation and efficiency. It could also benefit businesses by supporting more robust and faster wireless networks, facilitating better communication and data transfer within the workplace.
The agreement between the Wi-Fi Alliance and the Wireless Gigabit Alliance marks a significant step forward in the evolution of wireless technology. While there are challenges to overcome, the potential benefits of adopting the 60GHz frequency band are substantial. As technology continues to advance, we can expect to see even more innovative solutions that leverage this high-speed frequency to improve our daily lives.
Via Gadget Lab
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