Gigabit wireless technology and applications

Wi-Fi, one of the most common and efficient wireless Internet technologies that has been supporting billions of devices for the past two decades. As complexity of the smart devices and applications advances every year, need for an ultra fast network is inevitable to support increasing data requirements for HD multimedia applications.

Wi-Fi technology mainly uses two frequency bands at 2.4 GHz and 5 Ghz range. Due to bandwidth limitation, data rate also has limited with these channels. In order to increase data rate, increasing the bandwidth of the transmitting channel is one of the best ways to solve the issue.

Millimeter waves are the best options in this scenario to utilize higher bandwidth and thus increased data rate.

What is gigabit wireless?

Gigabit wireless is a new wireless transmission technology similar to WiFi, which uses millimeter waves for data communication. It fall under IEEE 802.11ad standard, operates at 60 GHz frequency range and capable of data rate up to 5-7 GB/Sec (even higher data rate at experimental conditions). Wireless technology using IEEE 802.11ad standard is also known as 60 GHz Wi-Fi.

Technology – IEEE 802.11ad

How does gigabit Wi-Fi works?

Similar to traditional Wi-Fi network, the backend of the gigabit wireless network will be connected to a high-speed network connection (5G-network connection in future). Unlicensed frequency spectrum at 60 GHz is used for communications between devices and routers.

Wireless router will transmit data at millimeter waves using a high frequency antenna module integrated to router. Advanced beamforming techniques will be used in future gigabit Wi-Fi system for increased efficiency.

Complex modulation schemes are used in gigabit wireless technology. It ensures higher level of security to devices and users.

MIMO is a concept of using multiple antennas for transmitting and receiving radio signals. In multi-user MIMO, up to 32 antennas are used to enhance efficiency of the network to a greater level. Each user will be assigned to an antenna for data communication.

Video Source: Qualcomm

Future applications of gigabit wireless technology

• Ultra fast wireless backhaul for home, office and enterprise needs
• HD multimedia streaming to mobile devices
• Virtual reality applications
• HD mobile gaming with better user experience
• Augmented reality application with new generation smart devices
• HD video screencast to TV (cast 4K HD videos to smart TVs connected to network)
• Face detection, gesture control and biometric sensor applications
• Room mapping and proximity sensing
• Gigabit mobile hotspot (high speed data connections for laptops, gadgets and other devices)

Advantages Gigabit wireless

• Ultra-fast data connections
• Low latency network
• Highly secure
• Scalable network
• Replacing wired cable connections

Disadvantages Gigabit wireless

• Millimeter waves cannot travel long distance (highly sensitive to obstructions)
• Highly complex hardware, antenna and system modules
• Device compatibility (existing devices ) is an issue to connect with high frequency band
• Very shorter range

WiGig is an example of Gigabit Wireless technology, which uses Millimeter wave that can transmit data in a few gigabits per second speed.  It uses multi-user MIMO technology for simultaneously transmitting data to multiple users.

Find more about MIMO technology

Gigabit LTE and 5G technology

Small cell concept will use Millimeter waves in 5G technologies. Smartphone manufacturer Asus has already introduced gigabit LTE in their new model Asus Zenphone Pro 4. Using current LTE network, data rate up to 1.4 GBPs can be achieved using Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 835 mobile platform.

Future 5G networks will be capable of even higher data rate using small cell concepts, millimeter waves, MIMO, complex modulation and multiplexing techniques.