Georgia Tech researchers show off 60GHz wireless chip

Georgia Electronic Design Center (GEDC) researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a CMOS chip capable of transmitting 60GHz digital RF signals, such a chip could speed up commercialization of high-speed, short-range wireless application.

Among the many potential 60 GHz applications are virtually wireless desktop-computer setups and data centers, wireless home DVD systems, in-store kiosks that transfer movies to handheld devices in seconds and the potential to move gigabytes of photos or video from a camera to a PC almost instantly.

“We believe this new standard represents a major step forward,” said Joy Laskar, a member of the Ecma 60 GHz standards committee and director of the Georgia Electronic Design Center (GEDC) at Georgia Tech. “Consumers could see products capable of ultra-fast short-range data transfer within two or three years.”

The GEDC-developed chip is the first 60GHz embedded chip for multimedia multi-gigabit wireless use. The chip unites 60GHz CMOS digital radio capability and multi-gigabit signal processing in an ultra-compact package.

This new technology, Laskar said, “represents the highest level of integration for 60GHz wireless single-chip solutions. It offers the lowest energy per bit transmitted wirelessly at multi-gigabit data rates reported to date.”

GEDC researchers report they've already achieved data transfer speeds of 15Gbps at a distance of 1 meter, 10Gbps at 2 meters and 5Gbps at 5 meters. More details over here.